Online gambling is legal in Alberta, but the province operates a closed model rather than an open commercial market. Sports betting and online casino games are offered exclusively through PlayAlberta, the government-run platform managed by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC).
It’s a different model than what’s found in Ontario, which offers an open market. However, the passage of the iGaming Alberta Act will change the landscape, and efforts to do so are underway. In this complete guide, we have a full breakdown of Alberta online gambling, including what you can wager on, where you can play, and what the future might hold.
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Image  | Bonus is not available in your region | Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan |
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Is Online Gambling Legal in Alberta?
Online gambling is legal in Alberta. It’s regulated through the province’s government-run system rather than an open market. All legal wagering is conducted under the oversight of AGLC. Below, we have full details on where things stand with the major forms of online gambling in Alberta.
Sports Betting: Legal
Sports betting is legal in Alberta. It’s offered exclusively through PlayAlberta, the province’s government-run platform operated by AGLC. This is the only regulated option for online sports wagering, as Alberta does not license private sportsbooks. You can wager on a wide range of sports and markets on the web or mobile, including the NHL, NFL, spreads, and player markets.
Online Casino: Legal
Online casino gaming is legal in Alberta through PlayAlberta.The platform provides a wide selection of slots, table games, and live-dealer titles. It’s all managed under AGLC oversight, making PlayAlberta the only authorized online casino platform in the province. No private online casinos are permitted to operate in Alberta under the current model.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Daily fantasy sports contests are allowed in Alberta. Major platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel are available to play. DFS is not restricted under Alberta’s current regulations. Players can access standard lineup-based contests, tournaments, and season-long formats. DFS availability is not tied to PlayAlberta and operates independently.
Sweepstakes Casinos
Sweepstakes casinos are fully legal in Alberta, just as they are nationwide. These platforms use a dual-currency system, typically Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, that lets players enjoy casino-style games without making direct real-money wagers. Alberta residents can legally access sweeps sites and redeem Sweeps Coins for real prizes after meeting requirements.
Prediction Markets
Prediction markets are not provincially regulated or licensed. Platforms that offer real-money event trading, such as Kalshi or Polymarket, do not operate under Alberta’s gambling or securities frameworks and are not legally authorized in the province. While some users may still be able to reach these sites, they remain in a legal grey area and fall outside of oversight.
Online Poker
Online poker availability in Alberta is limited. PlayAlberta currently does not offer peer-to-peer poker rooms, though it does provide casino-style poker games and live-dealer variations where players compete against the house. Alberta residents do not have access to online poker sites from major brands, unlike the more open landscape that’s found in Ontario.
Open Market Operators
Some brands that are fully licensed in Ontario also operate separate sites that are accessible in Alberta. For example, you may see a difference between bet99.com and its Ontario-specific site, or a general bet365 Canada site versus the Ontario-only version. These operators are not traditional offshore books, but they are not currently licensed or regulated by AGLC.
This means they do not fall under Alberta’s provincial consumer protections or complaint processes. PlayAlberta remains the only provincially regulated option until the new iGaming framework is implemented. Using non-Alberta-regulated versions of Ontario brands comes with added risk, as safeguards, resolution, and standards are handled under other jurisdictions.
Where You Can Bet Online in Alberta
PlayAlberta is the only provincially licensed online gambling platform in Alberta. Operated under AGLC oversight, it offers regulated sports betting, casino games, and lottery products in one secure environment. All legal online wagering in the province runs through this platform.
- Sportsbook: Full slate of markets, including spreads, totals, props, and single-game betting.
- Online Casino: Slots, table games, live dealer titles, and instant-win games.
- Lottery & Specialty Games: Access to provincial lottery products and select digital offerings.
Looking ahead, Alberta’s new iGaming framework may eventually allow additional licensed operators to join the market. Until those regulations are finalized and implemented, PlayAlberta remains the province’s only legal online gambling platform.
Offshore Betting in Alberta
There are offshore betting sites that accept players from Alberta. However, these platforms are not provincially licensed and operate outside the authority of AGLC. As such, they do not follow the same consumer protections, payout standards, or responsible gambling requirements that apply to PlayAlberta or that would apply to any future licensed operators.
While these sites may be accessible, they come with added risks. Offshore operators are not required to resolve disputes, honor withdrawals, verify game fairness, or offer provincially mandated safeguards. While it may be accessible, offshore betting is not recommended, especially when considering responsible gambling and secure wagering practices.
Retail Sports Betting in Alberta
Retail sports betting in Alberta is available primarily through Sport Select, the lottery-run product operated by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC). Bettors can place tickets in person at authorized retail locations such as convenience stores and lottery outlets. Options include single-game bets and parlays, depending on the current menu.
Alberta also has a large network of land-based casinos and racing entertainment centres, but there are no traditional in-casino retail sportsbooks or betting kiosks as of yet. Looking ahead, Alberta’s new iGaming Alberta Act will reshape the online landscape, and potentially do the same for retail sports betting.
The province is building a commercial framework aimed at launching a more competitive market. The launch date isn’t finalized, but early 2026 is possible. Regulators have signaled that private operators could eventually have a larger presence. Any expansion of retail sportsbooks or in-casino kiosks will depend on how the regulatory framework develops.
Alberta Gambling Regulator
Online and retail gambling in Alberta is regulated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC). The agency oversees all provincially authorized gaming activities, including PlayAlberta, and ensures operators meet strict standards for fairness, security, and responsible gambling.
AGLC: Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis
The agency's primary functions include:
- Issues gaming licenses and regulates all legal gambling activities in the province
- Oversees PlayAlberta, Alberta’s only regulated online gambling platform
- Manages funding and programs for responsible gambling initiatives
Any future expansion into a commercial iGaming market is expected to fall under AGLC’s regulatory structure until the new framework is fully implemented.
Payment Methods in Alberta
Funding your account on PlayAlberta is straightforward, with secure and trusted payment options supported through the province’s regulated platform. The range of available banking methods is more limited than what you might find in open commercial markets like Ontario. Below, we break down the payment methods you can use on PlayAlberta.
| Banking Method | Description |
| Interac | One of the most widely used payment methods in Canada is available at PlayAlberta. It offers fast deposits and reliable transfers. |
| Credit/Debit Cards | Visa and Mastercard are the only credit and debit cards currently accepted on the platform. |
| PayPal | The popular e-wallet can be used at PlayAlberta, offering a fast and flexible banking option. |
| Bank EFT Transfer | Available for withdrawals only. Players can also withdraw using Interac e-Transfer or PayPal. |
Future of Online Gambling in Alberta
Alberta is actively moving toward a more open online gambling market. The passage of the iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48) in May 2025 set the wheels in motion. This legislation lays the groundwork for a regulated commercial framework that would allow private operators to enter the province under government oversight.
The goal is to transition from Alberta’s current single-operator model to a competitive market similar to what exists in Ontario. The province is now in the process of establishing the Alberta iGaming Corporation. The new agency will be responsible for developing regulations, licensing standards, tax structures, compliance requirements, and player safety standards.
Industry reports and government statements suggest that early 2026 is a realistic target for launch, although no final dates or operator timelines have been confirmed. Key decisions, such as how many operators will be licensed, what the application process will require, and how retail expansion might fit into the model, are not yet finalized.
For players, this shift could significantly expand the number of legal betting options in Alberta. A competitive market would likely bring multiple licensed sportsbooks and online casinos into the market. However, until the framework is completed and the first operators are approved, PlayAlberta remains the only provincially regulated option.
Alberta Online Gambling FAQ
What online gambling is legal in Alberta?
Alberta allows legal online casino games, sports betting, and lottery-style products, all offered through PlayAlberta under the oversight of AGLC.
Is PlayAlberta the only legal site?
Yes. PlayAlberta is the province’s sole licensed online gambling platform, and no private operators are permitted to launch in Alberta.
Can I use DraftKings or FanDuel in Alberta?
Yes. You can use DraftKings and FanDuel for daily fantasy sports in Alberta. However, their sportsbook and casino products are only licensed and available in Ontario.
Are online casinos legal in Alberta?
Yes. Online casino games are legal, but they are only available through PlayAlberta’s regulated platform. No private casino sites are licensed.
Are sweepstakes casinos legal in Alberta?
Yes. Sweepstakes casinos operate legally across Canada because they follow promotional contest rules and do not require real-money deposits to participate.
What is the legal gambling age?
The legal gambling age in Alberta is 18, which applies to both online gambling and land-based casinos.-verify
Will Alberta expand online gambling in the future?
Alberta has taken formal steps toward expansion with the passage of the iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48). The province is building a framework for a competitive market, but no operators have been licensed.
