KORT Payments to Acquire AptPay, the Real-Time Payouts Platform Serving Online Gambling
The omnichannel payments group is adding AptPay’s instant payouts and multi-rail orchestration, used by online gambling operators in Canada and the US, as it pushes beyond card acceptance and into the US.
Joash Boyton · Acquiry Deal Intelligence
KORT Payments announced on 19 October 2026 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of AptPay, the Toronto-based real-time payments and payment orchestration platform. The deal takes KORT beyond card acceptance into account-to-account payments and instant disbursements across North America (Pulse 2.0).
AptPay serves merchants and technology platforms in Canada and the United States, with customers in online gaming and gambling, digital assets, financial services and other high-growth markets. For a gambling operator, fast and reliable payouts are a core part of the product, and that is the service AptPay sells.
- Of AptPay being acquired
- 100%
- Payment rails on one integration
- 8+
- Expected closing
- Q4 2026
One integration for payouts across eight-plus rails
Founded in 2019, AptPay gives businesses a single integration to move money across multiple payment networks, with Know Your Customer, anti-money laundering and sanctions screening built into the platform.
Rails supported by AptPay
- Mastercard Send
- Visa Original Credit Transaction (OCT)
- Interac e-Transfer
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
- Automated Clearing House (ACH)
- Real Time Payments (RTP) and FedNow
- Cross-border payments
KORT adds account-to-account payments to card processing
KORT provides omnichannel payments backed by compliance, risk-management and processing infrastructure. With AptPay, it expects customers to collect and send funds through one provider, bringing card processing, account-to-account transfers, payouts and orchestration into a single platform. The deal also supports KORT’s wider expansion into the United States.
“AptPay’s real-time payout and orchestration capabilities are highly complementary to our platform, and together we can offer customers a complete money movement solution across North America. This acquisition strengthens our position in the payments ecosystem by combining our team’s deep industry expertise and established relationships with AptPay’s strong market presence and robust, scalable technology platform.”
“Joining KORT strengthens our business by bringing together two teams with a shared vision and deep experience in building and scaling payments businesses. That proven experience, combined with KORT’s platform and resources, puts us in a stronger position to accelerate AptPay’s growth.”
AptPay keeps its brand and its CEO
After completion, AptPay will run as a division of KORT under the AptPay brand, with Shams Syed continuing to lead it. Both companies say existing AptPay customers and partners will keep receiving support without interruption. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
- 2019AptPay founded in Toronto.
- 19 October 2026KORT Payments signs a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of AptPay.
- Q4 2026Closing expected, subject to customary conditions.
What it shows about gambling payments M&A
As online casino and sports betting grow across Canada and US states, payments groups want the specialist providers that already handle gambling-grade compliance and instant payouts. Buying one with live operator customers is faster than building those rails and approvals from scratch.
For founders of payments, KYC, fraud and payout businesses serving gambling operators, the deal is a useful reference point: a five-year-old platform sold to a strategic buyer that keeps its brand and its CEO. Acquiry works with buyers looking for exactly these businesses. See the buy-side searches we are running, or start a confidential conversation.
Questions on the deal
Who is acquiring AptPay?
KORT Payments has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of AptPay Inc., announced on 19 October 2026.
What does AptPay do?
AptPay is a Toronto-based real-time payments and payment orchestration platform, founded in 2019. One integration covers Mastercard Send, Visa OCT, Interac e-Transfer, EFT, ACH, RTP, FedNow and cross-border payments, with KYC, AML and sanctions screening built in.
Does AptPay work with gambling companies?
Yes. AptPay serves merchants and platforms in Canada and the US, with customers in sectors including online gaming and gambling, digital assets and financial services.
When will the KORT and AptPay deal close?
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions.
Will AptPay keep its brand?
Yes. AptPay will operate as a division of KORT under the AptPay brand, and CEO Shams Syed will continue to lead the business.
Related on Acquiry
Written by
Joash BoytonFounder and Managing Director, Acquiry
Joash builds acquisition pipelines for strategic buyers and private equity, with long-running work across iGaming, betting, affiliates and gambling technology.
Sources
- KORT Payments to Acquire AptPay, Expanding Real-Time Payments and Payment Orchestration Across North America (19 October 2026) · KORT Payments via Business Wire / The Globe and Mail
- KORT Payments To Acquire AptPay To Expand Real-Time Payments Across North America (19 October 2026) · Pulse 2.0
- KORT Payments · KORT Payments
- AptPay · AptPay
