Alberta Opens Sports Betting and Online Casino Market to Private Operators July 13 With DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM

Alberta will open its sports betting and online casino market to private operators on July 13, making it the second Canadian province after Ontario to allow companies like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM to compete directly for customers. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission has approved more than 35 operators ahead of the launch, and the provincial government expects a competitive marketplace that gives Alberta residents access to the same brands available to American sports bettors.

The launch follows the passage of Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, which created a regulatory framework for private operators to enter the market alongside the government-run PlayAlberta platform. All licensed operators will pay a 20 percent tax on gaming revenue, and the province has set a minimum age of 18 for gambling, one of the lowest in Canada.

The Operator Lineup

The confirmed operator list reads like a who’s who of North American sports betting. DraftKings and FanDuel, the two largest US sportsbook operators by market share, are both confirmed for the July 13 launch. BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, BetRivers, bet365, theScore Bet, and PointsBet are also among the approved brands. By early June, 43 total operators had registered with the AGLC, with 28 fully approved and the list continuing to grow.

The operators are building Alberta-specific product experiences and promotional strategies for the launch. DraftKings is planning a full casino and sportsbook offering, leveraging its established technology platform from US markets. FanDuel is expected to bring its casino and sportsbook products, along with potential integration of its AceAI betting assistant, which has been expanding its coverage categories ahead of the World Cup.

The timing is well-suited for operator launches. The FIFA World Cup is in full swing on July 13, with quarterfinals and beyond still to come. The Canadian Football League season has been underway since June, providing domestically relevant content from day one. The combination of global and local sports events creates a strong window for driving sign-ups and early wagering activity.

What This Means for Bettors

For Alberta residents who have been using grey market sportsbooks or the government-run PlayAlberta platform, the July 13 launch represents a fundamental change in what is available to them. Competitive operators typically bring better odds, more generous promotional offers, and broader betting markets than single-operator government monopolies.

The Ontario experience since April 2022 provides a useful reference point. That market has grown significantly since launch, with more than 40 operators now active and monthly wagering volumes that rival smaller US states. Alberta’s population of approximately 4.6 million, combined with high disposable income levels and strong sports culture, positions it to become a meaningful market relatively quickly.

Bettors currently using theScore Bet or other Ontario-originated platforms will find a similar competitive landscape developing in Alberta. The main difference for Alberta users will be the availability of platforms that have not previously operated in Canada, as several US-focused brands are treating Alberta as their Canadian market entry point outside of Ontario.