Another Alberta brick-and-mortar casino operator is preparing to expand into iGaming, and River Cree Resort & Casino has selected a global technology provider to power its platform.
Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) announced this week that it has partnered with the First Nations-owned casino located on the western outskirts of Edmonton. GiG will provide the technology and platform for River Cree’s expansion into Alberta’s newly regulated iGaming market, including:
- Online casino
- Online sports betting
- A native mobile app
- Custom front-end and omnichannel solutions
- Advanced data analytics and managed services
GiG said the partnership combines River Cree’s deep roots and established player base and customer loyalty with its own omni-channel infrastructure, allowing the operator to connect its land-based experience with digital gaming.
“We are immensely proud to partner with River Cree Resort & Casino and the Enoch Cree Nation as they prepare to take their iconic brand into Alberta’s online market,” said GiG CEO Richard Carter. “Our full-turnkey solution and powerful Data and Logic engines are designed specifically to support established operators in bridging the gap between land-based and digital operations.
“We are confident that our best-in-class technology and localized expertise will help River Cree replicate their physical success online and capture significant market share in Alberta.”
First Nations casinos step into Alberta iGaming
River Cree Resort & Casino is a longstanding land-based property owned by Alberta’s Enoch Cree Nation, having opened its doors in 2006 as the province’s first Indigenous-run casino.
It registered with Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC) earlier in 2026 to launch an iGaming site in the province’s regulated online gambling market, but is yet to actually start online play.
“River Cree has always led the market in gaming and entertainment,” said CEO Vik Mahajan. “Expanding into Alberta’s regulated online market is the next evolution in delivering exceptional experiences, wherever our guests choose to play. With GiG’s industry-leading technology behind us, we’re building a best-in-class online experience.”
Alberta’s iGaming rules allow existing land-based casinos, whether commercial or First Nations-owned, to apply to expand into online gambling. One Indigenous casino operator has already done so: PURE Casino Entertainment launched purecasino.ca in early August, powered by Boyd Interactive technology with sports betting provided by Kambi.
While River Cree is a single casino, PURE Casino Entertainment is the largest casino operator in Alberta in terms of the number of properties. Its parent group, First Nations coalition Indigenous Gaming Partners (IGP), owns seven separate casinos and multiple hotels in Alberta. Those include four PURE-branded venues and others like Calgary’s Deerfoot Inn & Casino.
PURE Casino Entertainment CEO Brad Belhouse spoke to Canadian Gaming Business about the advantages that he believes existing brick-and-mortar casinos have in Alberta’s highly competitive iGaming market, which opened on July 13 and has grown to more than 50 online casino and/or sportsbook sites run by around 30 different operators.
GiG adds to list of Alberta operator partners
Meanwhile, River Cree Resort & Casino is GiG’s fifth operator partner in Alberta, a slate that also includes the likes of:
GiG already worked with all of those operators in Ontario’s market, where the company has been a licensed service provider since 2022.
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