Sportsbook operator and recent Canadian Gaming Associaton (CGA) member PointsBet has appointed former Monkey Knife Fight president Nic Sulsky as its new chief commercial officer for its Canadian operations.

The appointment is PointsBet’s first senior hire in Canada and marks the first step towards building a Canadian leadership team for its potential expansion into the country.

PointsBet has designs on launching its sports betting services in Canada as legislation to potentially legalize single-event sports betting in the country continues to progress in the Senate.

“Now that the legalization of single-game sports betting is close to final approval by the federal government, I’m looking forward to launching a truly Canadian platform that will not only provide good jobs in an exciting industry, but also offer Canadian fans an entertaining and engaging experience like no other,” said Sulsky in a release.

Sulsky also separately told Canadian Gaming Business that the opportunity to replicate the model and success PointsBet has had in the U.S. “really excited me.”

“We’re replicating the same structure and philosophy to build the best-in-class business in Canada, hiring best-in-class Canadians based on top of an incredible technology stamp,” he explained to CGB. “What excites me is taking PointsBet’s best-in-class product and marrying that with their mature gaming experience in Australia and their success in America. That’s the sweet spot I think PointsBet Canada is starting out with, and the reality of what I think a truly identifiably Canadian gaming operation can become. That’s really why I got so excited about PointsBet. Aiming as we are at the Canadian sports fan and the Canadian sports bettor, I believe there are specific philosophical tactics that can be unveiled in this country that will give us a high level of success.”

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Sulsky is a gaming industry veteran and a Toronto native. His former company, Monkey Knife Fight, is the third-largest daily fantasy sports operator in the United States and was acquired by Bally’s Corporation in January. Before leading that company, Sulsky co-founded InGamer, an in-game fantasy platform that launched in 2010 in partnership with CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

PointsBet U.S. chief executive Johnny Aitken added: “PointsBet is excited to welcome Nic to the team, adding strong talent that knows how to build first-class gaming brands while possessing a deep understanding of the Canadian landscape.

“With legislation now before the Canadian Senate, our hope is that this will be the first of many Canadian hires as we work to ensure our Canadian leadership team both understands and reflects the unique characteristics of the Canadian sports environment and its millions of loyal fans.”

Founded in Australia in 2015, PointsBet is a corporate bookmaker with operations in Australia and the United States that offers a scalable cloud-based platform and innovative sports wagering products.