Alberta iGaming Market Expands as Polymarket Geo-Blocks Province

Alberta’s regulated iGaming market now has 36 operators that have completed the province’s dual-approval process and are either live or ready to launch, with 22 platforms operating as of Friday (July 17), according to Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC), the provincial regulator.

An AGLC spokesperson said they expect more sites to come online “in the coming weeks”.

More Sites to Launch

In Alberta, before a site goes live, operators must also secure a commercial agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) after registering with AGLC and paying their fees.

The iGaming market launched on Monday (July 13) with leading brands such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and theScore Bet accepting wagers.

“By the end of the summer, I think we’ll see 35 to 40 [live sites],” said Troy Ross, President of TRM Public Affairs.

Dual Approval Process

While the new market was being rolled out this week, Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, was updating people on Polymarket’s decision to restrict access to their platform in the province.

“Polymarket made the decision themselves to geo-fence themselves out. So, I think that was good news,” Nally said on Monday (July 13).

Nally was responding to a question about illegal gambling websites operating outside Alberta’s regulated market, after a reporter referenced Polymarket’s announcement.

Major Brands Go Live

“We know that we can’t shut down the internet, but the best way to deal with the black market is to have a healthy, regulated market,” said Nally.

Polymarket had quietly announced updated terms of use on July 6. British Columbia and Quebec were also added to its list of restricted jurisdictions.

Ontario is already restricted, as a result of a 2025 settlement with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), which found that the prediction market had illegally offered prohibited short-term binary options to retail investors in the province. 

Polymarket Blocks Alberta

That raises a question: does the Polymarket decision set a precedent for how prediction markets will approach Canadian provinces with regulated iGaming markets?

“B.C. and Quebec do not appear close to regulation; that still seems years away,” said Amanda Brewer, Senior Vice President Policy & Communications, Canadian Gaming Association (CGA). 

“Given that Polymarket was fined and banned in Ontario, it is likely being cautious across Canada.”

No New Precedent

Evan Thomas, a Toronto-based lawyer advising fintech clients, said the Polymarket geo-blocking decision was not a surprise.

“Whether that reflects behind-the-scenes discussions with securities regulators, gaming regulators, or both, I can’t say, but it would not surprise me if there were a formal settlement or regulatory statement at a later date,” he said.

Thomas said the decision doesn’t set a new precedent but instead reinforces a pattern that has already emerged.

Regulators Eye Prediction Markets

“Unregistered prediction market platforms face regulatory risk in Canadian provinces, whether under securities law or gaming law,” he said.

“The regulated path for prediction markets in Canada is through Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization [CIRO] dealers like Wealthsimple for economic and financial event contracts, or potentially through provincially licensed iGaming operators for other categories. Platforms that operate outside those frameworks are going to face increasing pressure to geo-block Canadian users.”

The news was certainly welcomed by iGaming operators in Alberta’s new regulated space, Ross said. Canadian jurisdictions are entering into a new phase of online gaming regulation, led by Ontario and Alberta, with several others exploring how to follow suit.

Welcome News in Alberta

“I think those provincial online gaming regulators and the provincial securities regulators will very quickly turn their attention to prediction markets, because U.S. media bombard us,” said Ross.

“There are all kinds of coverage, and while prediction market companies themselves may not believe that they are gambling companies, and maybe they have a legitimate claim to that in the United States, this is a different country, different criminal code, different gaming control acts. The definition of gambling here doesn’t exactly dovetail with the U.S. definition.”

Based on that, Ross said Polymarket’s decision was prudent.

“The prediction markets, if they’re taking steps to block Alberta and Ontario, that’s a wise move because Canada has a complex regulatory environment involving provincial gambling regulators, securities regulators, derivatives legislation, the federal Criminal Code and responsible gambling standards,” he said. “They would be foolish not to consider these multiple regulatory hurdles before simply launching in Canada.”