Alberta's iGaming Market Set to Launch with Major Operators Applying for Licenses

Alberta is set to launch a fully regulated iGaming market on July 13, following in the footsteps of Ontario. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC) published a list of 69 companies that applied for an igaming license by May 1. Among the 69 companies, 28 are iGaming operators, including BetMGM, Entain, and Flutter Entertainment. These operators may look to offer online poker in Alberta, with BetMGM Poker, PartyPoker, and PokerStars on FanDuel potentially launching their online poker products in the province as early as July 13.

Notable absentees from the list of license applicants include GGPoker and 888poker. GGPoker, the biggest online poker operator in the world and the leader in Ontario online poker, was expected by many to be one of the first to launch in Alberta. However, GGPoker is likely to close the international platform to all players from Alberta if it is not issued a local gaming license. This could force players to cash out their bankrolls and wait for a time when GGPoker does become licensed.

The hesitation of major operators like GGPoker to apply for a license is likely related to the ongoing liquidity sharing saga. Alberta and Ontario are seeking to merge their player pools, but the matter is currently bogged down in the Supreme Court. Operators may be given permission to offer joint platforms for Ontario and Alberta poker players, but international liquidity sharing remains more far-fetched. The real problem for poker-first operators like GGPoker is that the court decision may not come in time for the July 13 launch, which could mean they have to wait some months before they can launch poker platforms that make sense for their business models.