Legal Alberta Sports Betting
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Sports betting in Alberta has been identified as one of the most promising betting markets in Canada, with the potential for substantial growth.
Even before the introduction of Bill C-218, which legalized single-game sports betting, there was a strong hunger for online sports betting market in the Alberta, in both regulated and unregulated markets.
Boasting over 4.3 million residents, the Rocky Mountains, and two NHL franchises, Alberta is considered one of the largest sports hubs in Canada.
The province is home to some of the oldest casinos in Canada, and the provincial lottery and gaming commission has generated millions in revenue through its SportSelect product, which offers online sports betting in the form of parlay wagers.
Alberta is one of the wealthiest provinces in Canada, boasting oil fields, natural gas reserves, large urban centers, and more. Usually, wealthier provinces come with more disposable income, some of which can be used to wager on sports or casino games. This is a great motivator for the province to regulate and legalize sports betting as soon as possible - and that's exactly what they did, launching the province's first sportsbook on August 27th, the day single-game wagering was launched in Canada.
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The "Sign-up offer” promotion will run from 13:00 (CEST) on 21.09.2021 to 05:59 (CEST) on 31.12.2022 (the "Promotional Period"). This offer is not available in conjunction with any other sign-up offer. By taking part in this promotion, you hereby agree to these Specific Promotional Terms and Conditions and to our General Terms and Conditions - 19+. T&C Apply. Play Responsibly
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New users only: register and make a minimum deposit of 30 CAD for sports betting. A bet of 2.0 or greater must be placed within the first 14 days of registration. Your bonus will be credited to your gaming account within 7 days if you lose. To withdraw funds, the bonus amount must be wagered as a single bet odds of 2.5 or higher. - 45
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New Players Only. Free bet - one-time stake of $/€10, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: $/€200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms Apply 19+ #AD - 47
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Gambling in Alberta
Gambling has been a part of Alberta's history since the 1920s, when horse betting and bingo evolved into lotteries, charitable gambling, and other forms of gaming. The 1980s saw a boom in casinos in the province, starting with the independently owned Calgary Cash Casino, which opened in 1980. In fifteen years, the province saw over 11 casinos open their doors, and to this day, you can find 24 commercial casinos and five First Nations casinos throughout the province.
Currently, the only forms of legal sports betting in Alberta are offered through the lotteries and gambling commissions. The existing SportSelect software is owned by the WCLC (Western Canada Lottery Commission), and the newly created PlayAlberta sportsbook is owned by the AGLC (Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis).
Until now, Alberta sports betting enthusiasts have weighed the pros and cons of an offshore betting site and SportSelect. While SportSelect is regulated in Canada, it cannot compete with betting sites in Canada that offer significantly better odds, substantial bonuses, loyalty programs, and a wider range of betting options. We expect the SportSelect product to remain consistent; however, we anticipate that the new PlayAlberta sportsbook will fill the void.
Legal Sports Betting in Alberta
Now that single-game sports betting is here and legalized, it will be up to provincial governments and gambling regulators in the province to develop a strategy for rolling out the products and licensing operators.
Currently, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) regulates and licenses all sports betting and casino activities, as well as other forms of gambling in the province. The AGLC has long expressed its support for Bill C-218, and it was no surprise that they had their PlayAlberta sportsbook ready to launch when the lights turned green.
What Will Alberta Sports Betting Look Like?
AGLC representatives have begun offering single-game betting on their existing PlayAlberta product online and in physical venues; however, it is unclear whether they will now consider licensing popular online sportsbook operators, such as DraftKings and FanDuel, now that Bill C-218 has become law.
There has been no mention of what the future holds for SportSelect and whether the AGLC will continue to offer the Western Canada Lottery Commission’s product alongside their PlayAlberta sports betting platform. It’s expected that the rollout of the product will follow quickly on from the introduction of Ontario betting sites.
While the SportSelect product is conveniently sold at gas stations, lottery kiosks, and grocery stores, we simply don’t think it stands a chance against PlayAlberta. Unless there are huge improvements by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation to the SportSelect product, we don’t expect it to be a popular option, especially if operators start buying up sports betting licenses in Alberta one day.
The only U.S. state that borders Alberta is Montana, and they have had legalized sports betting since May 2019, which allowed the opportunity for Southern Albertans to cross the border and take advantage of single-game betting in-person before Bill C-218 was passed.
Sports Betting Apps in Alberta
While there are no independent sportsbooks available in Alberta, there are no mobile sports betting apps aside from PlayAlberta's. We’ll provide more insight and reviews of the best betting apps as they come available in Alberta.
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Alberta?
Yes, online sports betting sites have been technically legal in Alberta since 1985, however there was a ban on single-event sports betting until Bill C-218 was passed in June 2021.
The Criminal Code was updated in 1985, adding a section that made sports betting, bookmaking, and other forms of gambling illegal. Several years later, in 1992, the Gaming Control Act was enacted, which allowed provincial lotteries and gaming commissions, such as the Western Canada Lottery Commission, to regulate multi-leg sports betting through the provincial lottery.
This gave the Western Canada Lottery Commission the ability to provide Alberta residents with the SportSelect Pro-Line offering, which allowed sports betting as long as bet slips had parlay wagers. Parlay wagers are multi-leg bets that link the game outcomes together so that all legs of the bet slip must be correct for a winning ticket.
You could bet on the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers to win on a Saturday night, but you couldn't just bet on one team. Parlays combine the odds on the Flames and the Oilers, making the bet riskier but ultimately creating an opportunity for a larger payout.
The Canadian government extended an olive branch to sports betting fans in 1992. While they weren’t ready to legalize sports betting altogether due to the potential for match-fixing implications, they allowed multi-leg sports betting, as it would be difficult to fix two or more matches.
This made it legal to offer SportSelect alongside lottery offerings in grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and other kiosks around the province. The legal gambling age in Alberta is 18 years old for any activity, which is lower than in other, more strict provinces.
While Canada has always been a bit of a grey area when it comes to sports betting, with some forms legal (such as parlays) and others not (single-game sports betting), we now have a light at the end of the tunnel for Alberta sports betting fans.
Single-event sports betting has been a topic of discussion in Canada for the better part of a decade. Finally, in June 2021, Bill C-218 was passed, making single-game wagering legal in Canada. Now, the Alberta Government has the ability to regulate and manage sports betting in the province through its PlayAlberta software and also has the authority to issue licenses to operators.
Betting on Alberta Sports Teams
NHL
The two NHL teams in Alberta have had a huge rivalry since the 1970s, and games between the two teams are intense, earning them the nickname ‘The Battle of Alberta’.
Calgary Flames
Hockey is one of the most popular sports in Canada and Alberta, and the Calgary Flames have a substantial fan base in the province. The Flames franchise was established in 1972 as the Atlanta Flames and moved to Calgary in 1980. Home games are played at the Scotiabank Saddledome in the heart of Calgary – the arena boasting the iconic saddle-shaped roof. The Flames have only one Stanley Cup championship to their name, hoisting the Cup in the 1988-1989 season. They have two other Stanley Cup Finals appearances, in 1985/1986 and 2003/2004.
The franchise is owned by Calgary Sports and Entertainment, who own other prominent Calgary-based professional teams like the Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League and the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.
Edmonton Oilers
If we head North, we will find the Edmonton Oilers, originally a World Hockey Association team known as the Alberta Oilers, which were upgraded to the NHL in 1979. The Oilers are distinguishable by their brightly coloured orange and blue uniforms and loyal fans. The Edmonton Oilers have won five Stanley Cups in their time in the National Hockey League, losing only twice in the Stanley Cup Finals in their seven appearances. All five Stanley Cup Championships occurred in the 1980s – 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1990 – famously called their ‘dynasty years’ thanks to Wayne Gretzky, Glenn Anderson, and Jari Kurri. The 1984-1985 Edmonton Oilers were voted as the greatest NHL team of all time in 2017. While the Oilers haven’t had much luck in recent years, Team Captain Connor McDavid continues to put up huge numbers for the franchise year after year. Yet, the team cannot manage to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.
CFL
Edmonton Elks
Until June 2021, the Edmonton-based CFL team was called the Edmonton Eskimos but was renamed the Elks due to the former being culturally insensitive to Indigenous Canadians. The Edmonton Elks were established in 1949 and are currently in the West Division of the CFL. The Elks have fourteen Grey Cup championships, winning three consecutive titles in the mid-1950s and five consecutive titles between 1978 and 1982. The Edmonton Elks lead the Canadian Football League in attendance, demonstrating that Canadian fans are passionate about the CFL and the Edmonton-based team. Like the NHL, the Calgary and Edmonton teams have a rivalry, which makes for an intense match-up each time the two clubs meet.
Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders are another West Division team in the Canadian Football League with a handful of Grey Cup titles. They are the third-oldest franchise in the CFL, with the active franchise dating back to 1945. The Stampeders have won eight Grey Cup titles, with their most recent victory in 2018, when they defeated the Ottawa Redblacks 27-16.
Soccer
FC Edmonton (Canadian Premier League)
While there are no Major League Soccer teams in Alberta, there is a Canadian Premier League football club based in Edmonton. The Edmonton team has been a part of the league since its inception in 2019, previously competing in the North American Soccer League. The team’s existence dates back to 2010, when it began playing exhibition soccer matches against teams from the United States and Canada. Now, in the Canadian Premier League, FC Edmonton competes against eight teams from five provinces to earn a spot in the CPL Finals. The winner of the CPL Finals will receive a berth into the CONCACAF League and earn the opportunity to play against top talent from Central America and the Caribbean.
FC Cavalry (Canadian Premier League)
Based in Calgary, FC Cavalry is one of the newest professional soccer teams in the CPL. In 2019, the team qualified for the CPL Championship by winning the CPLA Spring season, and shocked the CPL community when they beat a Major League Soccer Club – the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. After coming out of the gate extremely hot – we expect big things from this small club – and we expect the Cavalry FC to become a huge favourite in the Calgary community.
Horse Racing in Alberta
If you prefer betting on horses and are looking to place a few horse betting wagers in Alberta, there are a few great racetracks that offer on-site betting as well as off-track betting on major American races. Most of the excitement of betting on horse racing is getting to watch the races live, and you can do so at any of the following Alberta racetracks:
Casino Betting in Alberta
Alberta is home to some of the oldest casinos in Canada, and to this day, the establishments continue to receive a lot of love. As one of the wealthiest provinces in Canada, there is plenty of disposable income, and usually, those with disposable income enjoy heading to a casino to bet a few dollars on their favourite games.
There’s a great selection of casinos in Alberta, located all around the province. They offer slots, table games, entertainment, and more.
| Casino | City |
|---|---|
| Canadian National Exhibition Casino | Toronto |
| Century Downs Racetrack and Casino | Balzac, AB |
| Casino Calgary | Calgary, AB |
| Cash Casino Place | Calgary, AB |
| Deerfoot Inn and Casino | Calgary, AB |
| Elbow River Casino | Calgary, AB |
| Century Casino Calgary Inc. | Calgary, AB |
| Cowboys Casino | Calgary, AB |
| Camrose Resort Casino | Camrose, AB |
| Baccarat Casino | Edmonton, AB |
| Casino Edmonton | Edmonton, AB |
| Casino Yellowhead | Edmonton, AB |
| Century Casino | Edmonton, AB |
| Century Mile Racetrack and Casino | Edmonton, AB |
| Grand Villa Casino Edmonton | Edmonton, AB |
| Starlight Casino Edmonton | Edmonton, AB |
| Boomtown Casino | Fort McMurray, AB |
| Evergreen Park | Grand Prairie, AB |
| Great Northern Casino | Grand Prairie, AB |
| Casino Lethbridge | Lethbridge, AB |
| Rocky Mountain Turf Club | Lethbridge, AB |
| Copper Coulee Casino | Medicine Hat, AB |
| Cash Casino Red Deer | Red Deer, AB |
| Jackpot Casino | Red Deer, AB |
| Century Casino St. Albert | St. Albert, AB |
There are also five First Nation casinos in Alberta that are located on reserve land, owned directly by Indigenous groups. A significant portion of the revenue from these casinos is allocated to charitable and religious programs within the First Nations community.
| Casino | City |
|---|---|
| Grey Eagle Casino owned by TsuuT’ina First Nations | Calgary, AB |
| Casino Dene owned by Cold Lake First Nation | Cold Lake, AB |
| River Cree Resort and Casino owned by Enoch Cree Nation | Enoch, AB |
| Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino owned by Stoney Nakoda First Nation | Morley, AB |
| Eagle River Casino and Travel Plaza owned by Alexis Sioux Nation | Whitecourt, AB |
In terms of online casinos in Alberta, we’ve discussed the PlayAlberta site that is regulated by the AGLC, which will be the main sports betting offering in Alberta. They currently offer casino games through GameSense software, which is a reputable and fair gaming platform. The money gambled on PlayAlberta is directly reinvested in the community through the Alberta General Revenue Fund, supporting programs for Alberta residents.
References
FAQ
Is sports betting in Alberta legal?
Yes, sports betting in Alberta is completely legal, and you can place a wager at any regulated sports betting site or venue.
What is the minimum legal age to gamble in Alberta?
The minimum age to bet on sports in Alberta is 18. Alberta's age of majority is one year less than that of most other provinces.
How many casinos are in Alberta?
There are 24 commercial casinos and five First Nations casinos in the province of Alberta. Several of the horse racing tracks are also combined with casinos, offering a great selection of land-based casino game play in the province.
Is single-game sports betting legal in Alberta?
Yes, thanks to Bill C-218 passing the Senate in June 2021 and coming into effect in August 2021, single-event sports betting is now legal in Alberta, making all sports betting activities available.
Where can I bet on sports in Alberta?
Currently, the first and only sportsbook available in Alberta is the lottery-owned PlayAlberta sportsbook. We are unsure whether there will be independent operators at this time.
