Alberta's biggest betting brands are ready for launch: Here's what players can expect

Alberta's regulated online gambling market officially launches on July 13, allowing many of North America's biggest sportsbook and online casino brands to compete in Canada's second regulated iGaming province.

After years of relying primarily on Play Alberta or offshore operators, Alberta players will soon have legal access to brands including DraftKings, bet365, theScore Bet and BetMGM.

"Alberta is the biggest development in Canadian online gambling since Ontario launched four years ago," said Adam Fiske, CEO of Cipher Sports Technology Group, parent company of Dimers.

"Players are about to benefit from unprecedented competition, with many of the world's leading sportsbooks and online casinos launching at the same time. That's ultimately good for consumers, who should see better products, stronger promotions and more innovation as operators compete for their business."

Why Alberta matters

Alberta is the first major commercial iGaming launch in Canada since Ontario opened its regulated market in 2022.

The province is expected to launch with significantly more operators than Ontario did on day one, creating one of the most competitive online gambling markets in North America.

What the biggest operators are bringing

Several leading operators have already outlined their launch plans.

• DraftKings plans to launch both DraftKings Sportsbook & Casino and Golden Nugget Online Gaming, alongside progressive jackpots and Alberta-focused World Cup activations.
• bet365 will transition from Alberta's gray market into the regulated system, bringing its extensive sportsbook and continuing its CFL partnership.
• theScore Bet is expected to launch on day one alongside theScore Casino, expanding PENN Entertainment's Canadian footprint beyond Ontario.
• BetMGM expects to launch with more than 4,000 casino games, progressive jackpots and MGM Rewards integration while continuing its partnership with Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
• FanDuel will launch its sportsbook and casino, extend its CFL partnership into Alberta, introduce exclusive Huff N' Puff casino content through Light & Wonder and invest in local charities.
• Caesars intends to launch Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Caesars Palace Online Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino.
• BetRivers will bring its sportsbook and online casino products, including exclusive casino games and its player rewards program.

More choice for Alberta players

The new market will offer online sportsbooks, online casinos, live dealer games, thousands of slot titles and peer-to-peer online poker.

Operators will also compete on promotions, rewards programs, exclusive games and betting experiences as they fight for market share from launch.

The bigger picture

Alberta's primary goal is to move players from offshore gambling sites to regulated operators that offer stronger consumer protections and responsible gambling tools.

Provincial officials estimate roughly 70% of Alberta's online gambling activity currently takes place through offshore or gray market operators that exist outside provincial oversight, with industry observers expecting Alberta to quickly become one of Canada's largest regulated gambling markets.

For players, July 13 represents more than the arrival of new betting apps. It marks the beginning of a competitive regulated market where some of the biggest names in online gambling will compete for Alberta customers from day one.