Alberta's Online Poker and Sports Betting Launch Set for July 13

Alberta is set to launch its regulated online gaming market on July 13, 2023. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission recommended the launch date of July 13, 2023. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission released its iGaming Guidance Document on March 17, 2023.

The move to regulate the provincial online gaming market follows Ontario’s legalization in 2022. The AGLC has reported that 50 operators have expressed interest in joining the Alberta market. Under the current landscape, Play Alberta is the province’s only regulated online gaming platform. The AGLC already regulates the business. The AGLC gave theScore Bet and Caesars the go-ahead to pre-register customers. BetMGM, PokerStars/FanDuel, and GGPoker have also reportedly shown interest in launching an Alberta client.

With a population of 5 million people, the province faces an uphill battle in creating a vibrant online poker market unless it can share liquidity with other markets. In 2025, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that regulated platforms can allow online poker players to compete against players located outside Canada. In March, the Canadian Lottery Coalition contested the decision and appealed it to the Canadian Supreme Court. The outcome of that case may have a major impact on the ability of both the Alberta and Ontario markets to expand.