Alberta is making it official. The province has confirmed July 13, 2026, as the launch date for its new open, competitive iGaming market — and Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has now published its first official list of registered operators. As of early May, 28 operators have completed or started the licensing process, with a roster that reads like a who’s who of North American online betting.
Why This Is a Big Deal for Canadian Bettors
Until now, the only authorized online gambling option for Albertans has been Play Alberta, the government-run platform operated by NeoPollard Interactive. That changes entirely on July 13 when the province becomes the second in Canada — after Ontario, which opened its competitive market in April 2022 — to allow private operators to compete head-to-head for players. Anyone who has watched how quickly Ontario transformed into a thriving, competitive market will understand what this means for Alberta bettors: more choices, better bonuses, and the kind of platform competition that forces operators to earn your business. Those who have already explored best Ontario sportsbooks will recognize many of the same brands preparing to enter Alberta.
The framework mirrors Ontario’s model closely. AGLC handles operator registration and regulatory oversight, while the newly formed Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) manages the commercial side — including the operating agreements that govern how brands interact with the province. Operators are required to integrate with AGLC’s centralized Self-Exclusion Program, provide players with activity statements, and take action when problem gambling indicators arise.
The Operators Already Registered
AGLC released its official Gaming Registrations document in May, naming 28 operators that have signed up. The list includes some of the biggest names in the industry, along with several Canadian-market specialists and a few brands that Alberta players may not have encountered before.
The headline names are the ones North American bettors know best. FanDuel Canada and DraftKings (operating as Crown DK CAN Ltd.) are both confirmed — these two brands dominate the U.S. market and have established themselves as top-tier players in Ontario as well. DraftKings will also launch Golden Nugget Online Gaming as a separate brand. BetMGM Canada, the joint venture between MGM Resorts and Entain, rounds out what the industry typically considers the Tier 1 North American operators.
Beyond that top tier, the registered list covers a broad range of sportsbooks and casino brands. BetRivers (Rush Street Interactive), Caesars — which is launching three separate brands in Caesars Sportsbook, Caesars Palace Online, and Horseshoe Online Casino — PointsBet Canada, and theScore Bet (owned by PENN Entertainment) are all confirmed. Betway, through Cadway Limited, is also on the list, as is Bally’s Canada under two brands: BallyBet Sportsbook and Casino, and Monopoly Casino and Sportsbook.
SuperGroup, the parent company behind a collection of well-known casino brands, has registered several properties including JackpotCity, Spin Casino, Royal Vegas, Ruby Fortune, and Grizzly’s Quest — all operating under Cadtree Limited. Entain’s PartyCasino and Sports Interaction are registered under ElectraWorks Maple Limited.
Fully Canadian entries on the list include BET99, Betty Gaming (the official online casino partner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors), CasinoTime, and government-operated Play Alberta, which will continue as a participant in the new open market. River Cree iGaming and Pure Casino Entertainment, both tied to land-based Alberta casino properties, are also registered. Rounding out the list are Lucky Days (L7 Entertainment Limited), BetNova, Pala Interactive Canada, and Albertix Gaming Limited.
For bettors interested in the full casino side of the market, the operator list is particularly impressive — you can explore best Ontario casino apps for a preview of what the comparable Alberta experience might look like once the market opens.
What Comes Next
Several brands that have publicly expressed interest in Alberta are not yet on AGLC’s registered list, including bet365, Fanatics Sportsbook, Soft2Bet, TonyBet, GGPoker, and 888. The July 13 deadline is firm for applications and fee payments — a $50,000 one-time application charge plus a $150,000 annual registration fee — though AGLC has indicated it may grant case-by-case extensions of up to three months in limited circumstances. Any operator still active in the grey market after July 13 without a completed application risks being found unsuitable for registration.
Pre-registration with several platforms, including DraftKings, BetRivers, Caesars, and PointsBet, is already open to Alberta residents. Wagering will not begin until the market officially goes live. Revenue projections for the Alberta market put it at over $700 million annually at maturity — a figure that reflects just how significant a player base the province represents. July 13 is shaping up to be a landmark day for Canadian sports betting, and if you want to get a sense of the sportsbook reviews landscape heading into the launch, now is a great time to start comparing.
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