Alberta Online Gambling Regulation Launch: Top 50 FAQs For July 2026 Answered By Experts

To obtain a licence to operate in Alberta, an online casino needs to register with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission and then enter a commercial agreement with the newly established Alberta iGaming Corporation.

Sites that are granted an Alberta licence will need to place a stronger focus on player protection and responsible gambling, so you can look forward to a safer overall experience, plus a wider selection of operators to choose from.

The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) is the government body in Alberta that regulates all gaming, liquor and cannabis in the province. It also issues licences to online casino sites as part of the new regulations that come in on 13th July.

The legal gambling age in Alberta is 18, and this applies to both in-person and online gambling. It’s lower than a few other provinces like Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba, where it’s set at 19.

Previously, there was only one licenced Alberta online casino site (PlayAlberta), but Bill 48 established a framework for regulation and opened up the market, to allow other online casino sites to apply for a licence from the AGLC.

At the moment offshore gambling sites are not illegal in Alberta, but from 13th July 2026, only sites that hold a valid AGLC licence will be allowed to operate in the province. Sites that have not been licenced are likely to pull out of the province on this date.

Polymarket is not one of the sites that has applied for a licence in Alberta, so you won’t be able to use it. Betting on the outcome of political events like elections is completely banned under the Alberta online gambling regulations.

Regulated Alberta online casinos will have geolocation technology to check where you are, so you won’t be able to use a VPN. You’ll also need to verify that you’re based in Alberta, using proof of address documents. So it’s no use trying to sign up if you’re not in the province.

We don’t recommend using offshore sites after 13th July, as you won’t have any protection if something goes wrong. For example, if a casino site refuses to pay. The only way to gamble online legally will be to use a site that holds a valid licence in Alberta.

Sports betting is becoming regulated in line with online casino gambling, and a lot of sites including FanDuel and DraftKings will have a sportsbook alongside their slots and live dealer tables. You’ll be able to bet on sports of your choice. However, betting on politics is not allowed.

As long as you’re aged 18+ and located in Alberta, you’ll have no trouble playing at regulated sites. Just choose one from our list of recommended casinos and pre-register now, so that you can start playing as soon as the sites begin to launch on July 13th.

A number of Alberta online casinos are already accepting pre-registrations. For example, you can sign up and go through the verification process at certain sites like BetMGM Alberta and Hollywood casino - this means that you’ll save time once the sites officially launch.

Regulated Alberta online casinos will have live dealer games with HD graphics and real dealers. You’ll be able to enjoy casino classics like blackjack and roulette, as well as game shows and even live dealer games with special features like multipliers and progressive jackpots.

Online poker is legal in Alberta, but only at sites that hold a licence from the AGLC. Many licenced sites will offer virtual and live dealer poker as part of their online casino offering. Dedicated poker sites will need to apply for a licence in the same way as other online casinos.

Esports betting is already available at the licenced PlayAlberta site, and the introduction of the new regulated market doesn’t change this. You can expect sports betting sites like DraftKings and FanDuel to have multiple esports events and markets to bet on.

There are no limits on how many different betting or Alberta casino apps you can use in Alberta. In fact, it’s a good idea to sign up at a few different sites as they all have a slightly different range of games and features.

Interac will be widely available at Alberta online betting apps and sites. You’ll also be able to use other safe and convenient payment options. These include Visa and Mastercard bank cards, Apple Pay and a selection of e-wallets.

Online gambling bonuses will be legal in Alberta, but due to regulations we won’t be able to tell you about them, so you’ll need to get the information directly from the casino sites.

The best way to compare Alberta gambling sites is by checking our reviews at Bookies.com. We’ll let you know all about the games, payment options, customer support, mobile compatibility and most importantly of all, the safety features of Alberta casino sites.

The new model in Alberta is very similar to what Ontario introduced in 2022. Online casinos and sportsbooks need to be licenced by a specific body in the province to be able to legally operate, and there’s a strong focus on player protection.

Under the new regulations, all Alberta online casinos will require registration with the AGLC and an agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation. Without following these steps and becoming licenced, a casino or sportsbook site will not be allowed to operate in the province.

Up until now, there was only one licenced gambling site in Alberta (PlayAlberta), but you could sign up at grey market sites with international licences. From 13th July, all casinos and sportsbooks need to be specifically licenced in Alberta to accept players based in the province.

If an online casino decides not to apply for an Alberta licence or isn’t granted a licence, it’s likely the site will pull out of the province and you’ll no longer be able to sign up or play. Casinos that receive a licence may switch to a new version of their site.

This will depend on the site. If a new site enters the market, you’ll need a brand new account, but if a casino is switching from the grey market, you may just need to re-verify your account. You’ll be notified if anything is required.

Professional gamblers need to pay income tax in Alberta. If you gamble as your source of income or as a business, you need to declare your winnings, just as you would with any other form of income.

According to AGLC reports, Alberta made $267 million in net revenue during the 2024-25 financial year. The industry is projected to see major increases in revenue, potentially reaching $1.577 billion in 2026–27.

Sports betting is being regulated in line with online casino gambling, so a lot of sites will offer both. Some of our top-rated sports betting sites include FanDuel, DraftKings and Bet99.

More than 30 online casinos have already applied for Alberta licences, so you can expect to see the likes of BetMGM, Spin Casino Alberta, Ruby Fortune Alberta, DraftKings, FanDuel and many more opening their virtual doors in the coming weeks.

You can already pre-register for your account at selected online casinos in Alberta, for example BetMGM, Hollywood Casino, Lucky Days and DraftKings. More sites are expected to open pre-registration before the official launch of regulated online gambling on July 13th.

While some Alberta online betting sites will stick to mobile-optimised websites, others will have apps, such as BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings and bet365.

All online gambling in Alberta has the same deadline for regulation - July 13th. But if a site isn’t able to get their licence in time, the AGLC has said that it will extend the deadline to October, on a case-by-case basis.

PlayAlberta will continue to operate once new sites get licenced in the province - it’ll just have more competition. You might start to see extra features or additional games, as the site tries to keep up with the newer, regulated casinos.

PlayAlberta is run by the government and all revenue generated by the site goes directly back to the Government of Alberta’s General Revenue Fund.

All regulated Alberta online gambling sites will need to verify your identity before you can deposit or withdraw. If this can’t be done automatically, the site will request ID (driver’s licence or passport) and proof of address (for example a utility bill).

You can look for the logos of the AGLC and Alberta iGaming Corporation in the footer of the casino site and check that the licence number matches the official register. To make things easier, you can simply choose a site from our lists at Bookies.com, as we only recommend legal casinos.

You can block your access to Alberta online casinos, by using the self-exclusion feature. This allows you to ban yourself from all licenced Alberta sites for between six months and three years.

You won’t be able to cancel your self-exclusion once you’ve implemented it. Self-exclusion lasts for between six months and three years, so you’ll need to wait for that period to elapse before you can use any Alberta casinos again.

If you have a serious issue with an online casino in Alberta, you can contact the Alberta iGaming Corporation via the website or raise a formal complaint to the AGLC.

Alberta gambling sites have a number of different responsible gambling features in place such as deposit limits, loss limits, session time limits and wagering limits. You can set these within your account section.

Alberta Health Services offers a residential treatment program for problem gambling, offering immediate, voluntary care through an intensive 20-day program. There are also other helpful support groups like Gamblers Anonymous.

Licenced and regulated online gambling sites are much safer, because they have been thoroughly tested and approved by the province’s regulator. This means games are fair, payments are secure and you’re guaranteed to be paid if you win.