Alberta Online Casinos

Alberta, Canada’s fourth most populated province, is gearing up to introduce regulated online gambling. The legal framework will likely be similar to the one in Ontario, leading to the establishment of locally licensed and regulated Alberta online casinos.

The bill to regulate online casinos in Alberta, together with other types of gambling, was introduced in March 2025, with provisions that would require operators to acquire provincial licenses in order to legally offer online gambling services to Albertans.

The initiative, which was inspired by Ontario’s legislation, aims to create a safer, better-regulated environment for all fans of online casinos in the province. Additionally, it would also bring in additional money through licensing fees and taxation.

Current Alberta Online Casino Regulations

Right now, the Alberta online casino scene consists of two major elements. Speaking of regulated options, there is just one fully regulated site, PlayAlberta, which is owned by the government and offers online casino games and sports betting.

However, Albertans also have access to many internationally-licensed online casinos which continue to exist alongside PlayAlberta. These sites operate in what’s commonly referred to as a “grey area.” While they don’t have a local license, current laws don’t explicitly forbid them from offering services inside the province.

This is similar to the situation that existed in Ontario prior to the regulation. International sites continue to accept players from Alberta without any local oversight and without contributing to the local economy. The law that’s in the works looks to turn things around.

New Alberta Online Casino Law

Efforts to regulate online casinos in Alberta started as early as 2023, but there has been some back and forth on the matter. Finally, in March 2025, a new piece of legislation was introduced in Alberta, laying the foundations for the creation of a regulated online gambling space.

The bill proposes the foundation of a new body, the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AIC), which would be in charge of issuing licenses and overseeing the operation of licensed sites in the province. This newly established body would continue to work hand-in-hand with the already existing Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).

The main goal of the bill is to modernize Alberta’s approach to gaming and create a safer, better-regulated environment for all Albertans who take part in online gaming, with a particular focus on the youth.

The new legislation will largely follow the Ontario online casino model, and although Alberta only has about five million residents, it is expected many of the major operators present in Ontario will look to be licensed in Alberta as well when the time comes.

There are no major obstacles to this bill passing, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, we could see the first fully regulated and licensed Alberta online casinos go live already in 2026.

Alberta Online Casino Games

Fans of online casinos in Alberta don’t have to worry about their access to their favorite games being restricted or reduced once the new legislation is in place.

With several top-tier gaming sites expected to obtain licenses, they’ll continue offering all the popular games, including:

• Video slots
• Electronic table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and more)
• Video Poker
• Live dealer games

There is nothing in the new Alberta online casino law to suggest that the operators would have to remove or restrict any of these games. So, in the gaming department, it will be business as usual from the very first moment newly licensed casinos go live.

If there is one segment that might require additional procedures, it would be the live dealer casino, as different regulators tend to treat this specific segment differently. While unlikely, it could happen that live games aren’t available right off the bat and are added a bit later down the line.

Alberta Online Casino Deposits & Withdrawals

With Alberta moving towards modernizing its online casino landscape, it is safe to assume players will have access to a wide array of deposit and withdrawal options at regulated sites.

If the province follows in Ontario’s footsteps, Albertans will be able to use options like:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• PayPal
• Apple Pay
• Interac
• Online banking

A big advantage of having access to locally licensed online casinos is that the operators will have to adhere to very high standards when it comes to handling players’ money and sensitive personal and financial information. This isn’t always the case with casinos offering their services based on international licenses.

In the same vein, players can expect more thorough identity verification procedures, which aim to eradicate any and all underage gambling and ensure better funds tracking procedures that are in line with current AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations.

Alberta Online Casino Taxes

One thing that some players may be wondering about is if they’ll have to pay taxes on any winnings from regulated Alberta online casinos. The short and simple answer to that question is no.

Just like in the rest of Canada (including Ontario), casino winnings are not taxable in Alberta. The only exception here is if you are a professional gambler, i.e. gambling can be defined as one of your primary sources of income. If uncertain, you should reach out to a tax professional for expert advice.

In general, though, a vast majority of players don’t have to worry about taxes, and this won’t change with the arrival of regulated online casinos in Alberta.

The province will collect its share from the operators, and Alberta does have a very high taxation rate for land-based casinos. If that model is transposed to online regulation, it could make the market less appealing to some sites, especially the smaller ones, but we’ll have to wait and see how things shake up on that front.

Alberta Online Casinos Safety

One of the main goals that the new igaming regulation seeks to achieve in Alberta is improved safety for all residents. Once the locally regulated market is established, there will be a much higher level of oversight in place to ensure safety and fairness.

AIC and AGLC will work in tandem to ensure all operators in the province uphold the highest levels of safety when it comes to handling players’ sensitive information, including modern encryption protocols to prevent this information from getting into the wrong hands.

Regulators will also oversee the fairness of games on offer to establish if advertised RTP (Return to Player) numbers are in line with how games really perform. This gives players a high level of confidence that there is nothing shady going on behind the scenes, protecting them from bad actors.

Regulated online casinos in Alberta will also be expected to provide players with functional and easily accessible responsible gambling tools. These tools give players a high level of control over their gaming habits, allowing them to set their financial and time limits.

While there are many offshore casinos that do a good job in terms of fairness and player protection, there are also many that don’t, and the only way to ensure high standards is by having local official bodies overseeing their operations and acting accordingly when these standards are breached.

Alberta Online Casino FAQ

When will regulated online casinos go live in Alberta?

While there is no definitive date, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we expect to see the first Alberta online casinos go live as early as 2026.

What types of games will regulated Alberta online casinos offer?

Alberta online casinos will offer a full scope of gaming options, including slots, video poker, electronic table games, and live dealer tables. All of these games should be available from day one.

How can I know if an online casino is properly licensed in Alberta?

Once the regulated market is launched, regulated casinos will be able to show licensing information provided by the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AIC), and all players will be able to verify this information on the official AIC website.

Will I have to pay any taxes on winnings from Alberta online casinos?

The short answer is no, as casino winnings aren’t taxable in Alberta. However, if you are a professional gambler, you may have to pay taxes, in which case you should consult a tax professional for expert advice.

What deposit methods can I use at Alberta online casinos?

We expect Alberta online casinos will accept all the popular banking options for deposits and withdrawals, including Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Interac, and more.