Alberta is gearing up to unveil its long-anticipated regulated online gambling market on July 13, positioning itself as the second Canadian province to adopt a competitive iGaming framework, following Ontario.
This new market will provide residents of Alberta with access to numerous regulated online sportsbooks and casinos, featuring well-known names like FanDuel and DraftKings, alongside the existing government-operated platform, Play Alberta.
The launch is the culmination of extensive discussions and preparations involving regulators, operators, and suppliers over several years. While many companies have successfully registered in advance of the launch, only a select few are expected to be operational on the opening day.
Major Operators Ready for Alberta Debut
Several leading brands in the industry, such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, and BetRivers, have announced their intentions to enter the Alberta market, pending the necessary regulatory approvals.
This week, FanDuel revealed its plans to introduce its Casino and Sportsbook offerings in the province. Additionally, the company has made local investments, including a C$50,000 donation to the A Dollar A Day Foundation and C$30,000 to the Canadian Red Cross’ Alberta Emergency Management Program.
Moreover, FanDuel has renewed its partnership with the Canadian Football League, expanding its agreement to cover Alberta and adding casino as a new category. The company also announced an exclusive partnership with Light & Wonder to introduce the popular Huff N’ Puff franchise to Alberta.
DraftKings has confirmed its plans to launch DraftKings Sportsbook, DraftKings Casino, and Golden Nugget Online Gaming in Alberta. To celebrate the launch, they will host a FIFA World Cup watch party in Calgary on July 11 and donate C$150,000 to Food Banks Alberta, which will help purchase over 40,000 pounds of essential food supplies.
BetMGM has been actively promoting its upcoming launch in the province, showcasing its exclusive casino content, live dealer options, and mobile gaming experience.
Caesars Entertainment has also initiated pre-registration earlier this year, planning to introduce three brands: Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, and Horseshoe Online Casino.
Other significant operators that have registered include PENN Entertainment’s theScore Bet, Hollywood Casino, and Bally’s. However, some major North American brands, such as Fanatics and Hard Rock Bet, have yet to reveal their plans for Alberta, which may change in the future.
Nearly 50 Operators Registered Ahead of Launch
As per the latest registration list from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), 49 operators have completed their registrations in anticipation of the market’s launch. This list also includes 56 critical gaming systems providers and 14 platform providers.
The registered operators encompass major North American sportsbooks, established Canadian brands, and international online casino operators, including PointsBet, BET99, 888, TonyBet, and Betway. Additionally, Alberta-based companies and Indigenous-affiliated operators like Pure Casino Entertainment and River Cree iGaming are represented.
However, it is important to note that registration does not guarantee that an operator will be live on July 13. Several companies have not yet disclosed their launch plans publicly, and industry estimates indicate that significantly fewer platforms will be operational on the opening day compared to the number of approved operators.
Furthermore, registration with AGLC is merely one aspect of the process. Operators must finalize their commercial agreements with the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) before they can start accepting wagers, which partially accounts for the uncertainty surrounding the number of platforms that will be available at launch.