How To Bet on Sports in Alberta

For a long time, sports fans have been waiting to find out the answer to “is Alberta sports betting online legal?” 

Read below for the Alberta sports betting launch date and more crucial information.  

How Do I Bet on Sports in Alberta?

Sports betting is legal in Alberta for anyone 18 years of age or older. From July 13 onwards, regulated online sports betting will be legal in Alberta. As a result, sports fans will have more platforms to choose from when looking for where to bet.

The first step to begin betting on sports is creating an account. This required personal details such as address, birthday, and contact information. Every bettor must verify their age.

The next step is to deposit funds using a preferred payment method. Then, it’s simply a case of identifying the wager and inputting the stake. 

Different Bet Types in Alberta

Across the wide range of sports, there are an enormous number of bet types. As a starting point, let’s take a look at the most common types of bets. 

Moneyline

Moneylines are the simplest wager available in sports betting. It is a bet on a team or player to win a game. 

For example, a wager on the Seattle Seahawks moneyline would only win if they won the game. The team with shorter odds is considered the favourite. So, the Seahawks might be -150 to beat the Buffalo Bills.

A $10 wager on Seattle would have a potential payout of $16.70. In this example, the Bills would have longer odds, meaning a larger potential payout.

Total

A total bet depends on the sport. In the NFL, for example, the BetMGM sportsbook sets a line for bettors to wager on whether there will be over or under that number of points in the game. In soccer, bettors have to predict the number of goals, and in baseball, it’s all about the number of runs scored.

In MLB, the line could be set at 7.5 for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Seattle Mariners. Bettors then bet on whether the game will go over or under this line. A bet on the under pays out if the teams combine for seven or fewer runs. An over bet would only win if the game featured eight or more runs. 

Other total markets include over/under bets on the number of points/goals/runs a team scores in a specific game, or bets focused on a specific part of the game, such as the first half or the second quarter. 

Spread

The spread is a way to handicap the favoured team. For example, the favoured team will have a negative spread, such as the Edmonton Elks at -6.5. 

This would mean the Elks need to win by seven or more points to cover the spread. If the Elks were facing the Calgary Stampeders, Calgary would be +6.5. A bet on the Stampeders would win if they won the game or if they lost by six or fewer points.

In MLB, the spread is often called the “runline.” 

Player Props

Player props are wagers on a specific player in a given game. These bets do not take the game’s outcome into account. For instance, a popular NBA player prop would be on a player to score 20-plus points in the game. 

In soccer, bettors will find player props for cards, goals, and assists. In the CFL and NFL, passing yards, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns are popular player prop markets, while home runs, strikeouts, and hits are commonly wagered player props in MLB. 

Parlays

Parlays are when multiple selections are combined into a wager. Each of the picks must win for the bet to win, which is why parlays can lead to sizeable payouts. There are also same-game parlays: These follow the same premise, but all of the selections come from a single game. 

An example of a parlay could be the Toronto Raptors to win, the Edmonton Elks to cover the spread, and the Calgary Flames to win. The Raptors and Flames would have to win, and the Elks would have to cover for the bet to be marked as a winner. 

Futures

Future wagers refer to bets placed on future outcomes. This could be a bet on the Buffalo Bills to win the Super Bowl midway through the regular season or a wager on the Edmonton Elks to lift the Grey Cup. 

There can be considerable odds movement in futures markets throughout the year. BetMGM’s prices are constantly adjusted depending on injuries, team form, and player movement. Futures markets are wide-ranging and include player awards, win totals, and various other betting options.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Alberta?

Yes, sports betting is completely legal in Alberta.

Until July 13, 2026, all sports betting is done through the government-run site, PlayAlberta. From July 13 onwards, other sportsbooks will be available, including BetMGM. 

Is Gambling Tax Free in Alberta?

Gambling winnings are not subject to taxes in Alberta. This includes all winnings from online sportsbooks, online casinos, in-person betting, and horse racing wagers. 

Bettors keep 100% of the money they win through gambling. 

Is BetMGM Legal in Alberta?

BetMGM will be legal on July 13, 2026. 

Is BetMGM legal in Alberta at the time of writing? No, BetMGM is not currently legal, but that will change in July.

Which Sports Can I Bet On in Alberta?

There are no limits to which sports can be bet on in Alberta. From Alberta’s own Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames in the NHL to Toronto’s Raptors and Blue Jays in the NBA and MLB, respectively, sports bettors can access markets for almost any sport they can think of.

The NFL, CFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL will inevitably attract much of Alberta’s sports betting interest, but it won’t stop there with BetMGM offering markets on golf, tennis, soccer, and more.

Is BetMGM Coming to Alberta? 

Yes, BetMGM is coming to Alberta on July 13, 2026. 

On July 13, the BetMGM website and app will be available for account registrations. Personal details will be required.