Alberta iGaming Reaches 51 Live Sites After Grace Period for Unregulated Operators Expires

Alberta’s regulated iGaming market now counts 51 approved live sites after the province’s 90-day grace period for transitioning unregulated operators expired on October 13 with 30 operators launching regulated platforms and accepting wagers. An Alberta iGaming Corporation spokesperson said the total could shift before the end of the day, as reported by Casino.org.

The regulated market launched on July 13. Operators received the grace period on a case-by-case basis if they showed a path to compliance unavailable before that date. These commercial sites operate separately from the province-run Play Alberta platform.

Approved Operators and Poker Market Details

All iGaming companies must secure approval from both Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC) and the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) to operate in the province. Multiple brands per operator are common. Apollo Entertainment runs seven casino brands, while Super Group manages several. PointsBet has registered with the AGLC but has not yet finalized its commercial agreements with the AiGC, leaving its site offline for now.

Dan Keene, AiGC CEO, stated: “Alberta’s regulated iGaming market exists to protect Albertans. We look forward to working with operators who have chosen accountability by transitioning away from the illegal grey market.” In the online poker space, PokerStars is exiting the market for now. 888 will become the first regulated online poker site once live, per Poker Industry Pro. NSUS’ GGPoker.ca, licensed in Ontario, holds no plans to launch poker in Alberta.

Enforcement Outlook for Remaining Unregulated Activity

The Alberta government has signaled intent to pursue operators that continue in the unregulated space, but precise measures have not been disclosed. Lynden McBeth, an AGLC spokesperson, said: “AGLC has several investigative options available when considering what action to take against illegal and predatory gambling websites. In order to protect the integrity of any investigation, we are unable to discuss operational techniques or methods publicly.”

Ontario has taken one documented approach by fining suppliers. In May, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario imposed CA$40,000 penalties on each of two registered gaming suppliers after their products appeared on unregulated sites accessible to Ontario players. Alberta’s lack of disclosed enforcement specifics leaves open questions on how aggressively the transition deadline will be policed and what investigative tools will prove most effective at scale. Operators weighing entry must factor this uncertainty into compliance planning, as the dual AGLC and AiGC approval process already sets a high bar for market participation.

Reporting: Casino.org News

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