Top 10 facts about Alberta’s iGaming launch

Today marks the launch of Alberta’s iGaming market. Many big-name operators are bringing their products to the newly opened market in the Canadian province.

There are plenty of details that go along with the historic day for online gambling in Alberta. So let’s take a deeper look.

10. How did we get here?
This all began with provincial moves to modernize Alberta’s online gambling framework over the past two years. In early 2026, Alberta finalized regulatory changes tied to Bill 48 and related updates to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation, setting the stage for a regulated iGaming and sports betting market in the province.

The new framework also created the Alberta iGaming Corp., a new agency with which online gambling companies must enter into agreements in order to operate.

A few months later, the launch date of the market is finally here, and players can now enjoy a plethora of online gambling opportunities, removing the gambling monopoly that Play Alberta held prior to the market opening.

9. Who does Alberta join?
Alberta isn’t the first Canadian province to welcome a regulated iGaming and online sports betting market.

Similar to Alberta, Ontario had a monopoly in its online gambling industry. Prior to opening the regulated market in April 2022, OLG was the sole regulated operator in Ontario.

8. Difference from Ontario
The model Alberta used to set up its regulated market is quite similar to Ontario’s, but there is one key difference.

Ontario’s model features two separate regulatory fees paid to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Meanwhile, Alberta’s market has one upfront payment, which includes a $55,000 application fee, plus a $165,000 CAD annual registration fee.

7. Cost to enter market
The approved licensed operators will be subject to a 20% tax rate on gross gaming revenue. Before that, 2% will be sent to First Nations initiatives, and 1% will go to social responsibility programs.

6. What is being launched?
The newly opened regulated market is bringing online sports betting and online casinos to Alberta.

Introducing a regulated market aims to drive traffic away from illegal offshore operators and bring players to safer, well-established names in the industry.

Alberta's regulated online gambling market is officially underway.

Minister Dale Nally announced that 22 registered iGaming sites are now available to Albertans under the province's new regulatory framework. pic.twitter.com/t4mdALrg4G
— Juno News (@junonewscom) July 13, 2026

5. Player protection
Building on the idea that safer operators are now available in Alberta than at illegal offshore sites, the province is taking a strong stance to ensure player safety.

When you sign up for a new sportsbook or online casino, you have to verify your identity, which entails entering personal information. Having trustworthy providers and operators gives players a sense of security and peace of mind.

In addition, problem gambling is always an important topic to have covered and to feature options for players who may end up needing them.

Here are just a few steps Alberta is taking in player protection: Alberta operators are required to provide regular reminders about time and financial limits. In addition, they must provide ongoing monthly reminders encouraging players to review their activity statements.

4. Are there going to be gambling ads?
With private operators now live in Alberta, players can expect gambling ads to be running across their screens.

One key point to know about gambling ads in Alberta is that operators are expected to face Ontario-style restrictions on broad “inducement” advertising for bonuses and promos, with bonus offers primarily communicated through their own platforms and direct marketing channels rather than mass advertising.

In addition, these operators must provide an easy way for players to opt out of direct marketing such as emails, texts, and push notifications, if they choose to do so.

3. Projected figures
Even though Alberta’s model is similar to Ontario’s, don’t expect the same amount of production. Ontario is Canada’s largest province with over 16 million residents. Alberta is the nation’s fourth-largest province with over five million residents.

In just its first year, the Upper Canadian province of Ontario delivered about $35.6 billion in total wagers and $1.4 billion in total gaming revenue.
Ontario’s licensed iGaming operators generated more than $4 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2025, driven by an estimated $98.3 billion in wagers, a 34% year-over-year increase.

Early projections from industry analysts suggest that the newly opened market could produce as much as $700 million in annual revenue as it continues to age.

2. Prediction markets
Prediction markets are not a core part of Alberta’s launch framework, which is focused on online casino and sports betting. Any future move to permit event-based trading products would require separate regulatory approval and may come with strict limits on the types of outcomes allowed.

If players want to get involved with prediction markets in Alberta, Kalshi’s Wealthsimple Predict app is available, but it comes with some rules.

You are only legally allowed to trade on Economic indicators, financial markets, and climate trends. The law does restrict anyone from trading on political outcomes and sporting events.

1. Who is going live?
Dozens of companies have been approved or registered to join the market, with nearly 50 operator sites working through licensing, and 22 of them are going live with the Alberta market today, and it includes many names that we as an industry are familiar with. Below is just the tip of the iceberg of what players will see available in Alberta.

Eligible customers in Alberta will have access to DraftKings’ suite of sports betting and online casino offerings. Players will be able to enjoy same-game parlays, live in-game wagering, and special odds boosts on DraftKings Sportsbook alongside thousands of casino games, exclusive slot titles, and progressive jackpots across Golden Nugget Online Gaming and DraftKings Casino.

DraftKings Sportsbook, DraftKings Casino, and Golden Nugget Online Gaming are set to launch in Alberta on July 13.

To celebrate, we'll host a watch party for the World Cup in Calgary at the Wildhorse Saloon, and our employees will volunteer with @FoodBanksAB in Edmonton.

Learn…
— DraftKings News (@DraftKingsNews) July 9, 2026

FanDuel Canada announced an exclusive partnership with Light & Wonder, bringing the popular Huff N' Puff slot franchise to players in Alberta.

Caesars’ trio of online platforms will each bring a digital experience to Alberta’s regulated online gaming market. Caesars Palace Online Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino will offer a wide selection of slot titles, table games and live dealer games. Caesars Sportsbook will offer players access to online sports betting and casino gaming.