The registration process for Alberta’s upcoming online gaming market has only been officially open for a few weeks, but Ontario-licensed operators are already queuing up to get in on day one.
When Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) unveiled its regulations on Jan. 13 and announced that companies could apply, the standards noted that AGLC would “consider an applicant’s registration in another jurisdiction acceptable to AGLC where the applicant is operating in the same role or function.”
The minister responsible for Alberta iGaming, Dale Nally, told Canadian Gaming Business that Alberta’s government was working with Ontario’s to make it easier for iGaming companies already licensed in Ontario to enter the western province. “We want to make it easy for them to transition to the province, to get rid of roadblocks rather than put them up. There are ways that we can do that and those are absolutely things that we’re exploring.”
Several of Ontario’s 48 licensed commercial operators are looking to take advantage, with multiple brands confirming plans to launch in what will be Canada’s second regulated open-market iGaming province.
PointsBet will launch online sports betting and casino
PointsBet Canada has begun the licensing process in Alberta, something which allows it to begin marketing activities and customer sign-ups in the province, as specified in the AGLC standards.
PointsBet, whose current footprint consists of online sports betting in its home market of Australia and both online sports wagering and online casino in Ontario, expects the AGLC’s streamlined process to allow it to launch both verticals on one platform in Alberta in the next few months.
“Alberta’s move toward an open, competitive iGaming framework is a positive step for Canadian players, offering more choice and consumer protections in a safe and regulated environment,” said PointsBet Canada CEO Scott Vanderwel in a statement. “We’re excited to introduce our innovative, Canadian-focused sports betting and online casino products to Alberta residents, supported by industry-leading speed, responsible gaming tools, and local expertise.”
RSI aims for further BetRivers inroads
Another operator with years of Ontario expertise to draw from in both casino and sports is Rush Street Interactive (RSI). RSI has applied for an Alberta license for its BetRivers platform, the company confirmed to Canadian Gaming Business in a statement from President and Chief Financial Officer Kyle Sauers.
A self-described iCasino-first operator that is active in most U.S. online casino states, Sauers and RSI CEO Richard Schwartz have said for a while that Alberta fits their model down to a tee, and the company has chosen not to pursue licenses in some sports betting-only states. BetRivers has Canadian momentum; in October 2025, the company reported its best quarterly performance in Ontario in nearly two years, with 24% revenue growth overall and 34% in online casino.
“Canada continues to be a priority growth market for BetRivers, and Alberta represents an exciting next step,” said Schwartz this week. “With an office and large employee base in Toronto and a growing presence across the country, we’ve been building and investing in Canada for years. We’ve seen strong momentum in Ontario since launching in 2022, and through our continued partnership with CBC and our Olympic activations, we’re showing that we’re all-in on Canada for the long term.”
Betty Canada branching out
Like BetRivers, Betty Canada hopes to translate strong Ontario progress into Alberta impact. Ontario is the slots-focused online casino operator’s only active market, but after reporting growth of around 200% in both revenue and active players in that province in 2025, Alberta awaits.
“We want to be among the first operators entering the province,” Betty Canada CEO Chavdar Dimitrov told Canadian Gaming Business. “We’re actively discussing our approach to starting in Alberta and moving to accommodate some of the product changes and compliance requirements. We have a proven formula for Ontario, I don’t think we’re gonna enter the market with any new mix of verticals.
“One thing we are going to go for is a cross-provincial experience. We would like to make it seamless. We’ll be doing a lot of localization and I’m sure there will be some cultural differences, but we are going to create an Alberta experience that is at least on par with Ontario.”
Expect the biggest US brands to be there
Many, many others will join the fray, including several U.S. market giants.
A spokesperson from American sports betting market leader FanDuel told Canadian Gaming Business that the gaming giant intends to pursue a license, adding that the online gaming giant is “excited and encouraged” by the progress Alberta has made towards finally opening its doors.
BetMGM reiterated it is excited to bring its multi-vertical offering to Alberta, noting that it already leans heavily on one of Alberta’s favourite sons, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, in cross-Canada marketing. “Alberta represents the first jurisdiction with a multi-product launch in over four years,” noted Chief Revenue Officer Matt Prevost in a statement. “Given our track record of success in Ontario, we are committed.”
Land-based and online gaming behemoth Caesars Entertainment is another renowned name that everyone should expect to be in Alberta. As well as its deep and extensive U.S. roots, Caesars has operated the brick-and-mortar Caesars Windsor in Ontario on the border with Detroit for almost 18 years, and offers three separate iGaming brands in the province: Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Caesars Palace Online Casino and Horseshoe Online Casino.
Others big and small
As well as those giants, Canadian Gaming Business understands that DraftKings, PENN Entertainment’s theScore Bet, Betway and Jackpot Spin owner Super Group, NorthStar Bets, Bet99, PowerPlay and High Roller Technologies, the latter of which has not yet been licensed to operate in Ontario, all intend to launch in Alberta.
