Alberta iGaming Launch Set for 13 July
The official launch date for Alberta's regulated online gambling market is 13 July, 2026. This will include online casinos and sportsbooks and will see Alberta become the second Canadian province to allow private operators to register for a license and offer their services within the province.
Similar to Ontario, the operators will be required to register with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis and regulation will be overseen by the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC).
Registration Opened for Private Operators
On the 13th of January, amendments made to Alberta's Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation were adopted and this clarified things in relation to licensing, advertising, and social responsibility requirements.
The AGLC also opened registration for operators and supplies at the same time providing a formal framework for those wishing to operate within the new regulated market.
All operators must complete a two step process. The first step is to complete regulatory registration with the AGLC. Once this is complete a commercial agreement must be completed with the AiGC, which will oversee operations within the new regulated market.
Temporary transition measures were also introduced to support operators that may be moving from the grey market to the new regulated industry. These provision will expire on Alberta's July 13 launch date.
Some operators have already completed the registration process, paid fees, and have started to assess technical requirements including integration with a centralized self-exclusion system.
Online Casinos and Sportsbooks Set to Go Live in Alberta
While Alberta hasn't released a list of approved licensees yet, it is widely expected that multiple operators are preparing to go live in Alberta in July. The will include online casinos and sportsbooks with major North American brands like FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, and DraftKings among them.
It is also anticipated that many of the brands that entered the Ontario iGaming market will also look to secure a license in Alberta and these could include Betty, TonyBet, NorthStar Bets, and of most likely Casino Rewards Group brands like Zodiac and Yukon Gold. We also expect to see the Super Group (Jackpot City, Betway) to enter the market.
The provincially run Play Alberta will continue to operate and provide online casino, sports betting, and lottery products to residents in the province.
Alberta's framework will closely mirror Ontario's with private operators being able to offer online casino and sports betting products under provincial oversight and we expect to see a central database like that held by iGaming Ontario.
There will be some difference between Alberta and Ontario and one that we have seen already is that election betting won't be available in Alberta. Alberta will also have a centralized self-exclusion program in place before the launch. Ontario is still working on launching a provincial self-exclusion program.
As more information become available, we will be reporting on it and preparing for the launch of Alberta online casinos and sportsbooks that are licensing and regulated within the province.
