- Online sports betting became legal in Alberta on June 22, 2021.
- BetMGM is not yet permitted to operate in Alberta.
- You can only make single-game wagers via a government-owned website.
Alberta residents who are at least 18 years old and looking to place wagers on sports and teams can do so via a government-run sports betting website.
However, no online sports betting apps are currently available, and the province has yet to open its doors to third-party operators like BetMGM.
BetMGM operates in Ontario, Canada’s only province or territory currently permitting third-party sportsbooks.
Is Alberta Sports Betting Online Legal?
Yes, online sports betting is legal in Alberta. The provincial government passed the bill to allow single-game betting on June 22, 2021.
However, betting online in Alberta is comparatively restrictive and limited. Those who want to place a single-game wager must do so on the only regulated online sportsbook’s website, overseen by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).
There are currently no online sports betting apps available in the province.
Does BetMGM Work in Alberta?
While BetMGM has legalized Ontario online gambling, operating in Alberta isn’t permitted yet.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s July 2023 mandate letter to Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally endorsed an interest in online sports betting reform.
Smith’s letter advocated online sports betting legislation reform, recommending opening the province to third-party players like BetMGM. It was a promising moment for Alberta’s sports bettors and online sports betting operators.
The notion gained palpable momentum, even prompting the AGLC, a government-owned entity, to seek potential newcomer proposals for retail and online sports betting.
However, progress after the Feb. 14, 2022, proposals’ deadline stalled, replaced by an ongoing holding pattern.
Alberta’s population is closing in on 5 million, almost on par with U.S. states Kentucky and Louisiana, which have regulated online sports betting markets.
Alberta is Canada’s fourth-most populous province behind Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, potentially increasing the government’s motivation for third-party expansion due to the amount of prospective tax revenue.
Where Is Online Gambling Legal in Canada?
Ontario is the only province or territory in which BetMGM works and operates. BetMGM launched in Ontario on April 4, 2022.
Online and retail gambling is legal in Canada’s 10 provinces. However, the nation’s three territories, the Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, currently only permit retail gambling.
What Professional Sports Will I Be Able To Bet on in Alberta?
The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers form the epicentre of Alberta’s professional sports scene. The two NHL teams have a historic rivalry, arguably the most heated in the league, and NHL odds could be available for their games if Alberta gambling is legalized down the road.
As there aren’t any MLB or NBA franchises in Alberta, most sports enthusiasts have a heightened interest in the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Canadian Football League (CFL) is woven into the province’s cultural fabric. The Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders form another hotly contested provincial rivalry, piquing the interest of many.
In addition, Albertans love the NFL, so much so that you’d think they have their own franchise.