888poker Launches First Online Poker Room in Alberta

888poker became the first operator to offer online poker in Alberta on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. This move follows Alberta’s regulation of its online gaming market this year. PokerStars has announced it will no longer allow Albertans to access its international platform. 888poker dropped Alberta access to its international platform but announced the launch of a ringed-in site beginning Tuesday.

Alberta players will migrate to a separated pool (only Alberta, not with Ontario) according to the new Alberta regulations. Ontario is pursuing shared liquidity with other regulated markets, which could potentially include Alberta as well as those in Europe and the U.S. Ontario won a ruling in the province’s Court of Appeal in November 2025 that would allow operators to pool players with those in other provinces and countries. The Canadian Lottery Coalition appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court in March.

The province has just 4.3 million people. Shared liquidity provides the preferred route for larger player and prize pools. 888poker could quickly pivot to include players in Ontario and possibly outside Canada if the court rules in Ontario’s favor. PokerStars informed players in Alberta that the company would be leaving the market. To legally operate, operators must now be licensed by Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis. Under the new regulation landscape, however, operators were allowed a three-month grace period ending on Oct. 13 to come into compliance or exit the market.