Alberta is preparing to unveil its regulated online gambling market on July 13, featuring 28 licensed operators approved by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC). This list includes prominent sportsbook and online casino brands that are well-known across North America.
The recently published Gaming Registrations document highlights operators that have either completed or initiated the licensing process in the province. Among the notable names are FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, BallyBet, PointsBet Canada, and theScore Bet, along with the government-operated platform PlayAlberta.
With this launch, Alberta will become Canada’s second regulated iGaming jurisdiction, following Ontario's market debut in April 2022.
Several operators are set to introduce multiple brands in Alberta. Caesars will roll out Caesars Sportsbook, Caesars Palace Online, and Horseshoe Online Casino, while Bally’s Canada plans to launch BallyBet Sportsbook and Casino, along with Monopoly Casino and Sportsbook. DraftKings is expected to offer both DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino in conjunction with Golden Nugget Online Gaming.
FanDuel, under Flutter Entertainment, aims to provide online casino games, sports betting, and poker through its PokerStars platform after consolidating PokerStars operations in North America.
BetMGM, a collaboration between MGM Resorts International and Entain, is also gearing up to offer casino games, sports betting, and poker in Alberta. In Ontario, BetMGM’s poker services and PartyPoker function as distinct brands while sharing player liquidity, a similar model may be adopted in Alberta.
Super Group brands available in Alberta include Betway, JackpotCity, Spin Casino, Royal Vegas, Ruby Fortune, and Grizzly’s Quest. Other operators on AGLC’s list comprise Sports Interaction, BET99, Betty Gaming, CasinoTime, BetNova, Lucky Days, and Pala Interactive Canada.
Canadian-owned entities entering the market include BET99, Betty Gaming, CasinoTime, PlayAlberta, Pure Casino Entertainment, and River Cree iGaming, which operates physical casino locations in Alberta.
However, the current AGLC list does not feature operators like bet365, Soft2Bet, TonyBet, GGPoker, 888, NorthStar Gaming, or PowerPlay, despite earlier signals that some planned to enter Alberta’s market.
Regulators have suggested that more operators may join once the market is operational.
In addition to operators, AGLC has approved 22 Critical Gaming Service Providers, including gaming technology firms such as IGT and Light & Wonder, which facilitate sportsbook and casino operations through platform and content services.
Provincial officials are working to establish a regulatory framework inspired partially by Ontario’s model, which currently accommodates over 30 licensed sportsbook and online casino brands.
The Alberta government anticipates that the regulated market could yield around CAD $100 million in annual tax revenue while transitioning gambling activities from unregulated operators to the legal framework.
Several operators, including BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, and theScore Bet, have already begun pre-registration activities in anticipation of the launch.
The opening date aligns with a busy sports calendar, as Alberta’s regulated market will commence just before the final matches of the World Cup, with the championship match set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
Additionally, the launch will occur before Week 7 of the Canadian Football League season, featuring the Calgary Stampeders’ game against the Montreal Alouettes on July 18.
Google's updated gambling advertising policy may also intensify competition, as licensed gambling operators are now allowed to run Google ads in Alberta under the new rules announced earlier this week.
The growth of regulated online gambling has faced criticism from certain groups, particularly First Nations casino operators who have expressed concerns that the rise of online gaming could impact their revenue.