The big question about Alberta’s plan to license and regulate a small army of online sportsbooks and casino sites is no longer “when?” but “who?”
- Alberta plans to launch a regulated iGaming and sports betting market July 13, opening the door to potentially dozens of private operators.
- Officials expect strong competition, and that will include major brands like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.
- The new market aims to shift users away from unregulated “grey” sites, which currently account for about 70% of online gambling in the province.
The provincial government and the Alberta sports betting regulator have signalled that their regulated iGaming market will go live July 13.
That is when any number of private-sector sportsbook and casino site operators can go live within the province’s new regulatory framework.
And judging from what the government and operators are saying, Alberta’s competitive iGaming market will be very competitive indeed.
Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally recently suggested to local media that more than 30 operators could participate. Meanwhile, the market’s regulator, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), has said more than 55 “operator sites” have expressed interest.
FWIW there's talk during BetMGM's business update about an Alberta launch in 2026. Everything seems to be pointing to the province launching a competitive iGaming market this year (exact time TBD), including BetMGM budgeting for launch-related costs ("Regulatory/New States"): pic.twitter.com/qv16UVWT3Z
— Geoff Zochodne (@GeoffZochodne) February 4, 2026
The AGLC is also the operator of the province’s sole authorized iGaming platform at this point, Play Alberta. However, the province has a robust “grey” market for online gambling as well. This is the wagering that happens on sites that may be licensed and regulated abroad but not by anyone in Alberta. The provincial government, citing survey data, says approximately 70% of iGaming in Alberta currently happens with these “unregulated” entities.
At least some “grey” operators plan to transition into Alberta’s regulated iGaming market. Exactly who and how many remains to be seen, but it will become apparent soon enough.
Don't shoot the messenger on this one, but if you're an Alberta sports bettor with World Series or Super Bowl futures in your account, and they're with anyone but Play Alberta, they could very well go up in smoke:https://t.co/qvQjyYpitY @Covers
— Geoff Zochodne (@GeoffZochodne) March 25, 2026
There are, however, other operators that plan to take their first bet ever in Alberta starting July 13. Some of those online sports betting and iCasino companies have even begun signing up customers already, although no wagering or deposits are permitted yet.
Here, then, is a preliminary list of online sports betting and iCasino operators set to launch in Alberta as early as July 13. Covers will update this list as more information trickles out.
DraftKings
The Boston-based online gambling company announced earlier this month that it plans to launch its mobile sportsbook and casino in Alberta on July 13, pending all necessary regulatory approvals.
What’s less clear right now is whether DraftKings will maintain or dismantle its already active daily fantasy business in Alberta. The company did so in Ontario before launching in that province's iGaming market in 2022. Alberta will have similar enough regulations that a DFS shutdown seems possible, and perhaps even likely.
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FanDuel/PokerStars
An executive from FanDuel and PokerStars' parent company, Flutter Entertainment PLC, said during an earnings call in February that they expect to launch in Alberta in the second quarter of 2026. In other words, Flutter's brands will likely be teed up to go live on Day 1.
BetMGM
BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt made it clear during a business update last week that the company is aiming to launch in Alberta in July with both online sports betting and iCasino. July 13 is in July, so a Day 1 launch seems likely for BetMGM as well.
Caesars
Caesars began preregistering Alberta customers in March, so they are ready to go. The company plans to launch three brands when the province’s iGaming market opens: Caesars Palace Online Casino, Caesars Sportsbook and Casino, and Horseshoe Online Casino.
Of note: Caesars said residents will need to be 21 or older to wager with them in Alberta, a significantly stricter threshold than the province’s minimum legal gambling age of 18.
BetRivers
Like Caesars, BetRivers has already begun signing up customers in Alberta. That puts the Rush Street Interactive-owned brand in line to offer online sports betting and casino gambling right from the jump.
theScore Bet
If you’ve been watching a Blue Jays game lately, you might have noticed some Alberta-related advertising for theScore Bet. The PENN Entertainment-owned operator is preregistering customers in Alberta and angling for a launch of online sports betting and casino games in the province at the earliest possible moment.
PointsBet
Another participant in the preregistration process. PointsBet is live in Ontario and plans to go live in Alberta ASAP.
Betway/Spin
Here's a so-called “grey” operator whose parent company says it is preparing to transition into Alberta’s regulated market.
“Alberta continues to show solid growth, and we are preparing for regulation in Q2,” Super Group CEO Neal Menashe said in February.
bet365
There's no official word yet, but expect the prominent operator to be among those joining Alberta’s regulated iGaming market. bet365 went from grey to green in Ontario. The same thing seems likely in Alberta.
“The Group will continue with its long-standing policy of pursuing licences in locally regulated markets and, given its experience, believes it is well placed to benefit long-term in those countries where commercially viable regulation is adopted, prioritising those markets which will deliver long-term sustainable revenues,” bet365 Group Ltd noted in its most recent financial report.
bwin/Sports Interaction
The Entain-owned brands are likely candidates to launch in Alberta, especially Sports Interaction, which bills itself as “Canada's Homegrown Sportsbook.”
Two of the things recently mentioned by Entain CEO Stella David as being in the "strong pipeline of activities" for her company were SIA and Canada. Launching in Alberta’s regulated market would make sense for the brand, which came under Ontario regulation as well.
