Alberta iGaming Market Launches With 50 Operators on July 13, 2026

Alberta's regulated online gambling market officially launched on July 13, 2026, with 50 licensed operators going live simultaneously, making the western Canadian province the second jurisdiction in Canada after Ontario to open its iGaming market to private competition. The launch ends years of unregulated activity, with provincial officials estimating that roughly 70% of Alberta's online gambling had been taking place through offshore or grey-market operators before today.

Which Operators Launched in Alberta on Day One?

Five major brands confirmed live operations by 7:00 a.m. Mountain Time on July 13: bet365, FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and BetRivers. Caesars Entertainment launched three separate platforms simultaneously, Caesars Sportsbook and Casino, Caesars Palace Online Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino, marking the first time the company had brought all three brands live in a new jurisdiction at once.

The full registered field of 50 operators under the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) also includes theScore Bet, PointsBet Canada, Betway, BET99, 888, TonyBet, Hollywood Casino and Bally's, among others. Fanatics and Hard Rock Bet had not announced Alberta launch plans as of opening day. A definitive list of active operators was published by the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) on launch day.

How Alberta's Revenue Model Works

Alberta uses a gross gaming revenue (GGR) model that differs from Ontario's simpler flat-rate approach. Operators keep 80% of net gaming revenue, while the province retains 20%. An additional 3% of GGR is allocated to First Nations communities and social responsibility programs. The one-time operator application fee is CAD$50,000, with an annual registration fee of CAD$150,000 per site.

Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally told the Edmonton Journal that the province expects the new market to generate CAD$76 million in government revenue during its first year. The Alberta Budget 2026 projects AiGC revenue rising to CAD$109 million by 2028-29. H2 Gambling Capital projects the total market GGR at CAN$1.2 billion (approximately £633 million) in the current financial year (April 2026 to March 2027), climbing to CAN$1.64 billion (£866 million) by FY28.

Metric	Alberta (Year 1)	Ontario (2025)
Registered operators	50	49
Projected first-year government revenue	CAD$76 million	CAD$807 million
Projected GGR (H2GC)	CAN$1.2 billion (FY27)	CAN$4 billion (2025)
Unregulated share before launch	~70%	~80% (pre-2022)
Revenue split (operator/province)	80% / 20%	80% / 20%
Operator application fee	CAD$50,000	CAD$50,000

What bet365 Is Bringing to Alberta

bet365, already active in Ontario and across 17 US states, entered Alberta with its full sportsbook and casino suite. The operator has simultaneously announced an Official Sports Betting and Online Casino partnership with the Canadian Football League (CFL), covering both Ontario and Alberta. The deal includes broadcast-visible media, digital storytelling and fan activations throughout the 2026 CFL season, which culminates in the 113th Grey Cup in Calgary on November 15, 2026.

"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. We are proud to work alongside Alberta's regulators to give fans a trusted platform to engage with the sports they love through a responsible, world-class experience." - Trip Stoddard, Head of Development, bet365

bet365's Sub On Play On promotion, which automatically rolls player-prop wagers to a substitute if the originally wagered player is replaced, generated approximately CAD$40 million in payouts globally during the first 10 days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to the company.

Why Alberta Launched Now

Amendments to Alberta's Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation were adopted on January 13, 2026, clarifying licensing, advertising and social responsibility requirements. The AGLC opened operator registration in January, with applications processed through a dual-step system requiring both AGLC licensing and a commercial operating agreement with AiGC.

Dale Nally said at a launch press conference that the scale of unregulated activity left Alberta with no responsible alternative to launching. "Standing still was not the responsible choice. Albertans were already gambling. What we are putting in place today is a regulated market that will put player safety and player responsibility first," Nally said, as quoted by casino.org.

The province has committed CAD$105 million in capital investment to build out the iGaming platform infrastructure in 2026-27. First Nations communities will receive approximately CAD$12 million in iGaming revenue in the same year, rising to CAD$17 million by 2028-29, through the First Nations Development Fund which has directed over CAD$2 billion to community projects since 2006.

Alberta vs Ontario: What the Comparison Shows

Ontario launched its competitive iGaming market on April 4, 2022, and generated CAD$4 billion in GGR from 49 regulated operators in 2025 alone, according to iGaming Business. The province now estimates that more than 80% of its iGaming activity occurs through regulated operators, up from roughly 20% at launch. Alberta is targeting a recapture of 75% of the currently unregulated market within its first two years of operation, per AiGC's stated primary objective.

Alberta's population of more than 4 million residents, combined with strong sports culture anchored by the NHL's Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames and CFL teams the Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders, gives operators significant reason for optimism about long-term market potential. Industry observers expect Alberta to quickly become one of Canada's largest regulated gambling markets based on comparable metrics to Ontario's early trajectory.

Will Other Canadian Provinces Follow Alberta?

The question of whether Alberta's launch will motivate other provinces is already being widely discussed across the industry. As of July 2026, only Ontario and Alberta have opened their iGaming markets to private operators. British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba all operate government-run online gambling platforms but have not announced plans to introduce private operator competition. The success of Alberta's launch, particularly how quickly it captures the existing unregulated player base, is likely to be closely watched by other provincial governments assessing the financial and social case for regulated private markets.

Responsible Gambling in Alberta's New Framework

All operators in Alberta's regulated market are required to integrate with the provincial self-exclusion list, implement identity verification (KYC) procedures, offer deposit limits and maintain risk-tracking systems before accepting bets. Advertising and marketing rules mirror Ontario's strict standards, prohibiting targeting of minors or high-risk individuals. The province has allocated 3% of GGR to responsible gambling programs as part of every operator's revenue-sharing agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Alberta's iGaming market launch?

Alberta's regulated iGaming market officially launched at midnight on July 13, 2026, with major operators going live from 7:00 a.m. Mountain Time.

How many operators are licensed in Alberta?

As of launch day, 50 operators had been registered under the AGLC, with 22 sites confirmed live on opening day. More operators were expected to complete their AiGC commercial agreements and go live in the weeks following launch.

How much revenue does Alberta expect from iGaming?

Alberta projects CAD$76 million in government revenue during the first year, rising to CAD$109 million by 2028-29 according to Budget 2026 figures.

Is Alberta the first Canadian province with a regulated iGaming market?

No. Ontario launched its competitive regulated iGaming market on April 4, 2022. Alberta is the second province to do so, with British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba still operating government-run platforms only.

What is the operator revenue split in Alberta?

Operators keep 80% of net gaming revenue. Alberta retains 20%, with 3% of gross gaming revenue directed to First Nations communities and responsible gambling programs.