The Questionnaire: These CEOs are betting big on the future of online gambling

Steven Salz

Co-founder and CEO, Rivalry

First thing you do in the morning: “Make breakfast for my two kids.” If you could have one superpower: “Unlimited energy and focus.” Secret to success: “Discipline.” Favourite book: “The Present Age: On the Death of Rebellion by Søren Kierkegaard.” Coolest thing in your office: “An English landscape painting by Alfred de Breanski, which I got from my wife’s grandfather.” Celebrity doppelganger: “Novak Djokovic, the tennis player.” Guilty pleasure: “The rugelach from Grodzinski bakery in Thornhill.” Favourite thing about Toronto: “The energy—it’s great for people trying to build things.” Next big trip: “Hopefully to Lake Como in the summer with my family.” Role model: “Lee Kuan Yew, the first prime minister of Singapore. He built the city-state like a scrappy start-up.” Best gambling advice: “Don’t bet more than you’re willing to lose.” Death row meal: “Sushi from Tachi, a small Japanese restaurant downtown.” Poker, blackjack, other: “Blackjack. There’s a beauty to the math of it.” Best bet you’ve ever made: “I bet $250 on a Formula 1 race last year. It paid out about $1,500.” Sporting event on your bucket list: “A Counter-Strike e-sports event in Poland.”

Michael Moskowitz

Founding partner and CEO, Northstar Gaming

First thing you do in the morning: “Go on the Peloton app.” If you could have one superpower: “Time travel.” Secret to success: “Hard work, commitment and collaboration.” Favourite book: “Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I worked at Apple in my 20s.” Coolest thing in your office: “A miniature torch from the Vancouver Olympics.” Celebrity doppelganger: “Ryan Reynolds. I love Deadpool.” Guilty pleasure: “Ruffles sour cream and onion.” Favourite thing about Toronto: “The culture, diversity and friendliness.” Next big trip: “In June, I’m going to a remote fishing lodge in Manitoba with my buddies from high school.” Role model: “My father, Milton. He had wonderful family values.” Best gambling advice: “Look at the data, give yourself the best chance to win.” Death row meal: “The Singapore noodles from Dynasty, a Chinese restaurant in Yorkville.” Poker, blackjack, other: “Blackjack. It’s fun to interact with other players when you’re at the table.” Best bet you’ve ever made: “I won $1,800 in one hand, playing at a blackjack table in Vegas.” Sporting event on your bucket list: “I’d love to see a Formula 1 race in Brazil.”

Scott Vanderwel

CEO, Pointsbet Canada

First thing you do in the morning: “Go for a bike ride with the Donnybrook cycling club.” If you could have one superpower: “See into the future. It would have been nice to predict, and stop, the pandemic.” Secret to success: “Not thinking too much about trying to be successful.” Favourite book: “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant by Eric Jorgenson. It’s about the angel investor’s journey to success.” Coolest thing in your office: “A curling jersey from Canadian champion Kerri Einarson’s team.” Celebrity doppelganger: “Steve Carell. My sons are rabid fans of The Office.” Guilty pleasure: “Ketchup chips.” Favourite thing about Toronto: “Go five blocks in any direction and you feel like you’re in a different city.” Next big trip: “A boat tour along the coast of Croatia, hopefully in 2023.” Role model: “My father, Gerald. He taught me the value of hard work.” Best gambling advice: “Bet within your limits.” Death row meal: “A peppercorn steak from Jacobs & Co.” Poker, blackjack, other: “Blackjack. That’s the one I can win at.” Best bet you’ve ever made: “I once turned $200 into $2,000 at a blackjack table in Vegas.” Sporting event on your bucket list: “A Super Bowl, somewhere warm.”