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Alberta officially launched its regulated iGaming market on July 13, 2026, making it the second Canadian province after Ontario to permit licensed online poker, casino and sports betting. More than 50 operators have registered with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) to offer services in the province.
The rollout will not happen overnight. With a population under five million, Alberta faces liquidity challenges that could hurt poker traffic if operators launch standalone platforms too quickly. To ease the transition, AGLC has granted a three-month grace period, allowing residents to keep using international poker sites until October 13, 2026, by which point operators must either fully launch Alberta-specific platforms or leave the market entirely.
Several major poker brands have confirmed their plans. PokerStars will continue offering poker in Alberta, though its casino and sportsbook products will be discontinued there. PartyPoker is also staying, with a dedicated Alberta site expected soon, while players can currently still access the international versions of both platforms.
888poker has expressed interest but appears to be waiting on a potential liquidity-sharing agreement with Ontario before committing further. GGPoker, notably, chose not to apply for an Alberta license, resulting in an immediate shutdown of its services in the province as of July 13, though a future return remains possible.
On the casino side, Bet365 Casino Alberta and BetMGM Casino Alberta have already gone live, with more operators anticipated in the coming weeks.
Alberta and Ontario are reportedly discussing a shared liquidity agreement similar to the US multi-state model, though no timeline has been confirmed. Such a deal could significantly boost tournament fields and prize pools across both provinces.
