Approximately 50 operator sites are already listed as registered to do business in Alberta’s upcoming regulated iGaming market. But which ones are missing?
At SBC Summit Canada in Toronto in May, Alberta Minister Dale Nally said he believed as many as 70 operators had applied for a license. Already, we know that the majority of Ontario’s 80 licensed iGaming sites will be available to Albertans on or after the July 13 launch date, including the likes of:
- bet365
- BetMGM
- BetRivers
- Caesars
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- PointsBet
- theScore Bet
As of today, some Ontario-licensed brands are still missing from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC) list of approved operators, as are a couple of major U.S. operators like Fanatics Betting and Gaming and Hard Rock Bet.
Canadian Gaming Business reached out to several of those as-yet-unregistered companies seeking more information on their plans.
LeoVegas says no, will focus on Ontario
MGM Resorts International-owned LeoVegas has been operational in Ontario’s regulated market since soon after it launched in April 2022, running both its eponymous online casino and sportsbook and the Royal Panda casino brand. LeoVegas has both an Ontario platform and a site that serves the rest of Canada.
However, despite previous suggestions that it would seek a license, the operator told Canadian Gaming Business this week that it has decided not to proceed with regulated Alberta iGaming. A notice on its Alberta-facing website states that it paused user sign-ups in the province.
“We continuously conduct strategic reviews of our business to ensure we stay competitive, that our strategy supports a clear long-term direction, and that we meet our sustainable growth ambitions,” LeoVegas Communications Manager Daniel de Morais told Canadian Gaming Business.
“In line with this, we have decided to stop access to our services from Alberta to fully focus on growing our existing business in Ontario.”
Could Sweden-headquartered LeoVegas consider seeking a license in Alberta in the future?
“Our industry is a notoriously fast-moving one, and as such, it’s always a challenge to speculate on what the future holds,” added de Morais.
Fanatics has no plans… for now
Fanatics has risen quickly to become one of the most prominent online sportsbooks and casinos in the U.S., touted as a competitor for third position by market share behind FanDuel and DraftKings. But the gaming branch of the renowned sports apparel and merchandise company still does not have a Canadian footprint in the iGaming world.
A spokesperson for the company told Canadian Gaming Business that the operator currently has no plans to launch in either Ontario or Alberta.
That could change, though. Around 18 months ago, Fanatics Betting & Gaming Chief Operating Officer Scot McClintic told Canadian Gaming Business that Canada is ultimately part of the expansion roadmap.
“We definitely want to be in Canada,” said McClintic in December 2024. “Will we be in Canada? Yes. It’s all just a timing question.”
Betano preparing to launch
While LeoVegas has opted out, other European operators that are active in Ontario have plans to launch in Alberta, even if they aren’t listed as registrants yet by AGLC. One of those is Betano.
A representative for the brand’s parent company, Kaizen Gaming, confirmed to Canadian Gaming Business that the operator has completed the regulatory registration process in Alberta “as part of our standard market preparation.” The company did not share any further details on its go-live plans or timelines in the province, noting that it will communicate any announcements through its official channels.
Betano first launched in Ontario in late 2022 in what was its first market launch anywhere in North America. Like many other operators, it markets itself fairly heavily in the province, including through broadcast advertising and the use of a Canada goose character.
TonyBet cited ‘ambitious’ plans
Another European operator that has said that Alberta is part of its plans is TonyBet, which has been live in Ontario’s regulated market since 2023. Earlier this year, upon joining the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA), the Latvia-headquartered company said it intended to double its provincial footprint.
“We have ambitious, long-term plans for Alberta and see it as an important market for our expansion,” a spokesperson told Canadian Gaming Business in March. “We welcome the well-structured approach of local authorities, especially the focus on player protection and responsible gaming.
“Having already built strong compliance systems and operational infrastructure in similar regulated environments, we are confident in our readiness and look forward to working closely with Alberta’s regulators.”
The operator declined to offer an update when asked this week.
Does Hard Rock Bet have Alberta plans?
After months of speculation, including a potential PointsBet Canada asset acquisition that ultimately did not materialize, Hard Rock Digital’s plans to launch in Ontario were confirmed in May when it secured an iGaming operator license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for Hard Rock Bet.
The operator currently has no online gambling presence in Canada, although Hard Rock International owns and operates the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa in the Canadian capital, which opened its doors last year.
No details about when Hard Rock Bet might launch in Ontario have been made available, and a spokesperson for Hard Rock Digital declined to confirm to Canadian Gaming Business whether the operator intends to launch in Alberta as well.
