Alberta Online Casinos & Sportsbooks

Alberta Gambling Overview

Online gambling is legal in Alberta. Right now, PlayAlberta is the only regulated gambling site in the province. That situation will eventually change, as lawmakers approved Bill 16 in 2024. That bill allows private companies to launch gambling sites in Alberta, but officials have not yet provided a launch date.

PlayAlberta is run by the provincial government. The site offers poor odds and a limited range of games, so most bettors prefer to use offshore sites. They are known as grey market betting sites, and there are no laws to stop you using them in Alberta.

What is the Gambling Age in Alberta?

You must be 18 or older to gamble in Alberta. The restriction applies to casino games, sports betting, poker, the lottery, and all other forms of wagering. Some provinces have set the legal gambling age at 19, but Alberta opted for 18.

Best Online Casinos Available in Alberta

We have reviewed all the leading sites that accept Alberta online casino players. After comparing their strengths and weaknesses, we decided that these are the top six sites for Alberta online gambling.

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How We Evaluate Alberta Online Casinos

We conduct rigorous reviews of each site offering online gambling in Alberta. Our experts focus on the bonuses, the user experience, the payout speeds and the customer service at each site. We also focus on these four areas.

Availability in Alberta

First, an online gambling site must be available in Alberta. That means you can access it from anywhere in the province, without using a VPN. The best sites are based overseas, but they are licensed by agencies like the Malta Gaming Authority. They actively welcome Albertans by offering CAD accounts.

Player Protections

Next, we assess the security measures at each Alberta online casino, sportsbook or poker room. We are looking for reputable, trusted sites, which use the latest encryption tools to protect players’ data during transmission. They must have strong safety records and up-to-date security certificates.

Canadian-Friendly Banking Options

We ensure each site offers convenient banking options for Albertans. That should include popular methods like Interac, iDebit, Visa, MasterCard, MuchBetter, and Payz. We ensure that they offer CAD accounts. Our experts also test the withdrawal process to ensure that players are paid out quickly and efficiently.

Game Selection and Software Providers

Our experts consider the game variety and game quality at each site. We break down the slots, virtual table games and live dealer games. Our reviewers make sure each site offers a diverse selection of games from trusted, reputable suppliers. We also ensure that the games have been independently certified for fairness.

Comparing Online Casinos and Sportsbooks Available in Alberta

Here’s a look at how our top Alberta gambling sites stack up:

Is Online Gambling Legal in Alberta?

Yes, online gambling is legal in Alberta. For many years, Albertans could only use grey market sites like Betway and Bodog. That all changed when the provincial government launched the PlayAlberta platform in October 2020.

PlayAlberta offers online sports betting and casino games. However, most Albertans prefer to keep using the offshore sites they’ve been playing at for many years.

There are no provincial or federal laws that prevent Albertans from using offshore gambling sites. Years ago, Quebec tried to prevent residents from using sites based overseas by applying an IP block. However, the Superior Court ruled that it would be unconstitutional. That ruling essentially set a nationwide precedent, and no provincial governments have tried to impose a similar ban since then.

Land-Based Gambling Options in Alberta

Alberta is home to 29 land-based casinos, according to AGLC. They are primarily located in big cities, with 11 in Edmonton and nine in Calgary. These casinos offer slots, live table games, electronic table games, replay arenas, and Video Lottery Terminals.

Here are the five largest casinos in Alberta:

Who Regulates Gambling in Alberta?

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (ALGC) regulates gambling in the province. ALGC oversees the PlayAlberta site, along with the various land-based casinos in Alberta. It will also regulate private online casinos and sportsbooks when they arrive in Alberta following the passage of Bill 16 in May 2024.

Comparing Alberta’s Gambling Laws to Neighboring Provinces

The neighbouring provinces have similar gambling laws to Alberta. In British Columbia, bettors can use PlayNow. The site is just like PlayAlberta, as it offers online sports betting and casino games, and it’s run by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). There are also various land-based casinos in British Columbia.

Saskatchewan is home to several land-based casino resorts too. They include Casino Moose and Casino Regina. Players in Saskatchewan can also use the PlayNow site, which is run by the BCLC.

Grey market online casinos and sportsbooks are also popular in both provinces. However, they have not passed any bills that would permit private companies to launch online sportsbooks and casinos. Alberta is just the second province to do so, following in the footsteps of Ontario.

The Future of Online Casinos in Alberta

Alberta plans to roll out a regulated online casino market soon. Lawmakers passed Bill 16 in May 2024. That bill will allow Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis to issue licenses to private online casino and sportsbook companies.

It means Alberta will be the second Canadian province to welcome privately owned online casinos. They will be available alongside PlayAlberta. However, lawmakers have not yet announced the launch date for regulated Alberta online casino sites. Officials have said further consultation is needed before they can roll out a regulated market.

Please Gamble Responsibly in Alberta

Online gambling should be enjoyed in moderation. Do not neglect your work, family, friends and other interests in order to play at online casinos and sports betting sites.

Responsible gamblers set a tight budget and stick to it. They don’t play with money that they cannot afford to lose. If you need support in Alberta, check out these resources:

Alberta Gambling Legal Sources

Alberta Online Casinos Summary

Online gambling is legal in Alberta. You can sign up with PlayAlberta, which offers a decent range of casino games and sports betting options. However, you’ll benefit from larger bonuses, faster payouts and a wider range of games at grey market sites.

Alberta online casino players can enjoy thousands of games at sites like Sports Interaction, TonyBet, Hell Spin, and PowBet. You can also access a world-class online poker room, Bodog, plus elite sportsbooks such as Betway. Just click the links provided on this page to claim the best sign-up bonuses at any of those sites.