Alberta Ends iGaming Grace Period With 51 Live Brands Approved

Alberta’s 90-day grace period for unregulated online gambling operators to transition to the legal market expired Tuesday (Oct. 13), with 30 operators launching regulated platforms and accepting wagers.

In total, 51 approved iGaming sites are currently live in Alberta. An Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) spokesperson said that number could change by the end of the day.

Alberta’s Regulated Market Expands

“Alberta’s regulated iGaming market exists to protect Albertans,” said Dan Keene, AiGC CEO. “We look forward to working with operators who have chosen accountability by transitioning away from the illegal grey market.”

Commercial platforms operating in the newly open market remain distinct from Play Alberta, the province’s state-run gambling site.

The commercial market officially launched July 13, with Alberta offering a case-by-case, 90-day grace period for legacy grey-market operators demonstrating a clear path toward regulatory compliance.

Operators Face Compliance Deadline

Operators that failed to transition or are still awaiting final authorization are required to shut down operations in the province.

To legally operate in Alberta, companies must obtain approval from both Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC) and the AiGC. Several major companies maintain multiple brands under single corporate umbrellas—Apollo Entertainment, for instance, runs seven casino brands in the province. Meanwhile, operators such as PointsBet have registered with AGLC but have yet to execute final commercial agreements with AiGC, delaying their live debuts.

Online Poker Market Takes Shape

PokerStars is among the notable platforms exiting the market—at least temporarily—according to Gaming News Canada. Conversely, Poker Industry Pro reported that 888 will become the first platform to offer regulated online poker in the province as its site goes live.

Casino.org reported earlier today that NSUS’ GGPoker.ca, while licensed and operating in Ontario, has no interest in launching online poker in Alberta at this point.

Alberta Weighs Enforcement Options

Provincial authorities intend to penalize operators attempting to remain in the unregulated space, though specific enforcement tactics remain undisclosed.

“AGLC has several investigative options available when considering what action to take against illegal and predatory gambling websites,” said AGLC spokesperson Lynden McBeth. “In order to protect the integrity of any investigation, we are unable to discuss operational techniques or methods publicly.”

Regulators may look to Ontario as a playbook for targeting non-compliant operators. In May, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) levied CA$40,000 fines against two registered gaming suppliers after discovering their games were accessible on unregulated sites operating in the province.