Alberta activated its regulated online gambling market at midnight on July 13, allowing private sportsbooks and casino operators to serve customers through a provincial licensing structure. The launch made Alberta the second Canadian province, following Ontario, to open online gambling to private companies under local oversight. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission and the Alberta iGaming Corporation prepared the framework during the months before the opening and confirmed that the system was operating when launch day began.
Industry participation reached a substantial level before the market went live. Nearly 50 operators completed registration after paying the required fees. Dozens of suppliers and technology businesses also received authorization. Each operator must hold an AGLC registration and sign a commercial agreement with AiGC before accepting customers in the province.
The registered group includes FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, Betway, PointsBet, theScore Bet, bet365 and BetRivers. Their arrival gives Alberta residents access to a broader legal market alongside PlayAlberta, the province’s government-operated platform.
Regulation Aims to Shift Play From Grey-Market Sites
The provincial government introduced the new model with player protection as its main stated purpose. Before July 13, residents who wanted options beyond PlayAlberta frequently used offshore or grey-market platforms that operated without Alberta oversight. Officials estimate that these channels accounted for about 70% of online gambling activity in the province.
Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally acknowledged that authorities cannot remove every unregulated website from the internet. He said a competitive regulated sector gives the province a practical way to address those operators.
“We know that we can’t shut down the internet, but the best way to deal with the black market is to have a healthy, regulated market,” Nally said.
Alberta will receive 20% of operator revenue under the framework. Nally has projected that the market could bring the province an additional $76 million in its first year. He said revenue did not drive the decision to establish the system.
“It never has been,” he said. “This has been about putting players’ safety and player responsibility first.”
The regulatory change has already caused some companies to adjust their Alberta operations. Estonia-based Coolbet announced that it would exit the province because of the new framework. Polymarket, a prediction market platform, also blocked access for Alberta residents.
Approved Brands and Suppliers Begin Operations
Regulators continued updating the participant roster until shortly before the launch. Kaizen Gaming’s Betano received late approval and entered the province on the opening day. The brand had already joined Canada’s regulated sector through Ontario in 2022 after establishing operations in Brazil and Portugal.
Before Betano joined the list, regulators had identified 49 approved platforms controlled by 32 companies. GameCode Americas and Technologies HUB were among the suppliers added near the start of the market. Quinel Limited also secured approval shortly before operations began.
Several operators activated their Alberta products immediately. bet365 launched its sportsbook and online casino and announced a partnership with the Canadian Football League.
“Canada is a key market for bet365, and cementing our brand’s presence in Alberta marks another milestone in our long-term commitment to Canadian sports fans,” said Head of Development Trip Stoddard.
Caesars introduced Caesars Sportsbook and Casino and Caesars Palace Online Casino. Horseshoe Online Casino also became available in the province. Caesars Digital President Eric Hession called the Alberta rollout a “defining moment for our digital business.”
DraftKings opened its sportsbook and casino platform in the province and also launched the Golden Nugget online gaming brand. Suppliers Pragmatic Play and Light & Wonder said their content and integrations were ready when the regulated market opened.
Pure Canadian Gaming entered online sports betting through a partnership with Kambi. The company operates seven land-based casinos in Alberta and plans to use its existing presence in the province as it competes with international operators. CEO Brad Belhouse stated: “We were here before they arrived, and we’ll be here long after the market settles.”
Player Safeguards Apply Across the Market
Alberta requires licensed operators to provide responsible gambling resources from the beginning of their operations. Players must have access to personal controls for deposits and wagering, along with limits on time spent playing. Operators must also review customer activity for signs that may indicate harmful gambling.
The province will direct 1% of gross online gambling revenue to problem gambling programs and treatment services, including educational resources. It has allocated another 2% to First Nations initiatives, although officials have yet to determine the distribution method for that funding.
A centralized self-exclusion system also began operating with the market. Every registered operator must advertise the program and comply with exclusion requests. When a player enrolls before an unsettled future wager is resolved, the operator must refund or void that wager.
The rules require operators to obtain RG Check accreditation. Advertising cannot target minors, and restrictions limit the appearance of professional athletes in gambling promotions.
Survey findings released before the launch indicate that licensing influences how Canadian players choose gambling platforms. A YouGov study commissioned by Tonybet found that 74% of respondents would refuse to place a bet with an operator that lacked a Canadian license. Tonybet, which operates in Ontario, Kahnawake and Alberta, reported that its Canadian registrations almost doubled during 2025 compared with the previous year, while gross gaming revenue rose 69%.
Research commissioned by Betty Gaming Canada found that 61% of Albertans considered online gambling safe after receiving information about the provincial framework. Respondents also ranked safety and security among the leading considerations when choosing an online gambling platform.
Source:
Alberta Opens Regulated iGaming Market to Private Operators, news.worldcasinodirectory.com, July 14, 2026
