As of July 13, 2026, Alberta officially kicked off its regulated market for online gambling. It became only the second Canadian province after Ontario to open its sports betting and casino sectors to third-party operators from all around the globe.
Under the new framework, the province will see a major shift in its legal online gambling scene. On the first day of the market, a total of 22 online casinos made their debut after getting regulatory approval from the Alberta iGaming Corporation. Still, over 50 should be online soon.
The launch of the open-model sector is possible following the passage of the iGaming Alberta Act in 2025, which was introduced to attract Albertan players from illegal gambling platforms and provide them with a safe, regulated gaming environment.
“Our focus has been clear from the start: to protect Albertans, especially young people, and ensure that those who choose online gaming can do so in a responsible environment,” said Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally.
Player Protection is Key
As part of the new model, the Alberta iGaming Corporation will oversee and manage the commercial market, while the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission will oversee regulation and compliance.
As with all regulated markets, operators in Alberta will also have to comply with a set of rules, including responsible gambling standards, such as:
- Deposit, spending and time limits
- Self-exclusion options applied across all regulated operators in the province
- Gambling activity statements
- Intervention measures for suspicious and high-risk gambling behaviour
- Strict restrictions on advertising to protect minors and vulnerable groups
Under the new model, operators will be required to share 20% of their net revenue with the province, and the funds will be directed to Alberta's General Revenue Fund. Meanwhile, 3% of gross gaming revenue will be reinvested into community initiatives, with 2% going to First Nations and 1% for responsible gambling programs, addiction research and mental health services.
International Operators Go Live on Day One
Similar to Ontario's, Alberta’s iGaming initiative has also attracted interest from some of the biggest brands in online gambling. Several major brands have made their way into the market and gone live on the first day, offering online casino and sports betting products for Albertans.
One of the leading brands that debuted on Monday was bet365, which also entered the province while announcing a new partnership with the Canadian Football League, further improving its brand exposure in the province.
FanDuel also launched its sportsbook and casino while renewing and expanding its CFL collaboration. On top of that, the operator has also made donations to the Canadian Red Cross in Alberta and the mental health charity Dollar A Day Foundation.
DraftKings debuted its Sportsbook, Casino and Golden Nugget Online Gaming brands, marking Alberta as the company’s 34th jurisdiction in North America. The brand has also committed CA$150,000 to Food Banks Alberta and employee volunteer initiatives.
Caesars Entertainment introduced all three of its digital gaming brands, Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Caesars Palace Online Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino, in what the company described as the first simultaneous launch of its full digital portfolio in a single jurisdiction.
PENN Entertainment entered the market with theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino, theScore Casino and Hollywood Casino apps, leveraging its already strong brand recognition among Canadian sports fans.
More to Come
Other prominent operators launching include BetMGM, marking its first international expansion since Ontario, and BetRivers, which entered Alberta with a marketing campaign featuring Canadian broadcaster Dan O’Toole.
Industry analysts predict that more operators and suppliers will enter Alberta’s sector in the coming months as more companies are approved while others get their operating agreements. The market is also likely to intensify competition through promotional offers, exclusive content and strategic sports partnerships, while regulators continue to monitor compliance and responsible gambling measures as the sector evolves.
Suppliers Expand Alongside Operators
The opening of Alberta’s market to private brands has also created opportunities for gaming suppliers, many of which have now expanded their Canadian presence by teaming up with newly approved operators.
For instance, companies like Pragmatic Play, Evolution, IGT PlayDigital, Light & Wonder, Aristocrat Interactive, Inspired Entertainment, and Hacksaw Gaming are some of the suppliers that now provide online slots, live casino products and gaming technology across the regulated sector.
Several suppliers had previously offered games exclusively through the government-owned and run PlayAlberta platform, but will now distribute content across multiple commercial operators.
Learning from Ontario's Experience
Alberta’s new iGaming model follows the path of Ontario’s regulated market, which launched in 2022. Since its opening, the Ontario sector has seen rapid growth in gambling volume, operator participation and player accounts, making it a leading jurisdiction in North America.
Since the market launch, Ontario has reported an increase in gambling helpline contacts and active online gambling accounts. However, Alberta officials maintain that regulation provides greater consumer protection than leaving players to gamble on offshore sites where there’s limited or no oversight.
Industry experts expect Alberta's existing exposure to online gambling advertising may reduce the sharp market adjustment seen in Ontario. Still, the province insists that it will closely monitor player behaviour as the market matures.
With more online casinos expected to launch in the coming months, Alberta’s regulated iGaming market is poised to become one of North America's most competitive jurisdictions, offering consumers greater choice while establishing a structured regulatory framework focused on responsible gambling and long-term market sustainability.
