Midnite Plan Canada Launch; Ex-FanDuel Director To Oversee Expansion

UK betting site Midnite is planning to launch in Canada, marking its first-ever overseas expansion. To date, Midnite has been highly localised, focusing on growing within the UK and Ireland.

Nevertheless, Midnite has the wind in its sails. Having already attracted a high level of interest from investors, moving into Canadian waters signals its lofty long-term ambitions.

Scaling up for growth

Although Midnite is a relatively new entrant to the UK market, having launched in 2018, it has been growing at a rapid pace over the past couple of years. Positioning itself as a challenger brand to break up the dominance held by legacy brands, such as Coral, Bet365, and William Hill, Midnite was successful in its C-series funding round held in January.

Yes, Midnite raised $35 million (£26.1 million), and this followed a $100 million (£73.3 million) credit facility which was secured in October 2025.

Indeed, Midnite is attempting to become Britain’s first online betting unicorn (£1 billion+) since Sky Bet in the early 2000s, and heading to Canada could accelerate its desire to become a Tier-1 operator.

Assembling a strong team

To propel their expansion into Canada, Midnite has been busy assembling a strong team. Indeed, they have headhunted former FanDuel Canada Senior Commercial Director Dale Tang, who will function as Midnite’s General Manager.

Before his time with FanDuel, Tang worked for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) as the government gaming operator’s director of strategy development.

Tang, therefore, represents a safe pair of hands, and he is looking forward to his new challenge with Midnite. In a statement, he said:

“Five years ago, I had the chance to join FanDuel Canada in its earliest days. Along the way, I learned from exceptional leaders and incredible peers — and most importantly, had the chance to build an amazing team I got to work alongside every day.

“It’s been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career, which made this decision anything but easy. But the chance to build something new in Canada doesn’t come round often — so I’m excited to share that I’ve joined Midnite to lead its launch into the Canadian market.”

Reacting to change

Given the foreboding economic landscape facing the UK betting industry, it is unsurprising many have recalibrated. Remote gaming duty (RGD) on online casino bets paid rose from 21% to 40% of gross gambling yield (GGY) in April, while in April 2027, the general betting duty paid on online sports bets will increase from 15% to 25%, bar horseracing, and this has been difficult for companies to stomach.

Indeed, some betting operators, such as Ladbrokes and Coral owner Entain, have revealed that marketing budgets could shrink by as much as 20%.

Midnite is all too well aware of the tax upheavals, and it is seeking to grab the bull by the horns, given its reliance on marketing to promote itself.

Midnite fast approaching in Canada

Although Midnite has been quiet about the specific details surrounding their intended Canadian launch, it is thought they are targeting a move into Ontario or Alberta. Either would be highly competitive, and with Alberta, 50 betting companies applied for a licence before the market was ratified in July.

It is suggested that Midnite is hoping to gain a licence no later than January 2027. Given its reputation as a disruptor, Midnite will no doubt look to shake things up when it starts up in Canada.