As with all other provinces in Canada, Alberta is free to regulate online gambling on its own. The good news is that online sports betting in Alberta is legal thanks to Bill C-218. The bad news is that regulated online betting is only possible through regulated provincial betting sites. That’s PlayAlberta for the time being, but the market is now set for a dramatic change.
We’ll cover more about the legal situation for online gambling in Alberta in the paragraphs below. This guide will also present the best Alberta sports betting sites and offer a few tips on how to place wagers.
Is Online Betting Legal in Alberta?
Online sports betting is legal in Alberta. It all started in 2021, when Canada introduced Bill C-218. It gave provinces the power to regulate online gambling as they see fit. Alberta moved to make online betting legal, but to a limited extent.
Currently, the only legal operator that may offer single-game sports wagering in Alberta is the local PlayAlberta. Any operator outside of it is essentially illegal. However, these betting sites operate in a grey area, so Alberta bettors can still access them and bet on their favorite sports.
The good news is that Alberta is taking the necessary steps to open up the online betting market. With Bill 48: iGaming Alberta Act introduced in early 2025, it will take the end of this year or early 2026 before Alberta legalizes online sports betting fully. By fully, we mean it’s taking the Ontario approach, meaning that it’ll open the door to third-party operators to enter the market.
In that way, PlayAlberta won’t remain the sole legal operator in the province. New Alberta betting sites can apply for a license, essentially legalizing major sportsbooks that have been a favorite of Alberta bettors.
Who Regulates Online Sports Betting in Alberta?
Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC) regulates and oversees online gambling and betting in the province. With the new bill set to take place, a new Crown corporation is set to be created. The goal remains the safe – create a safe and legal online betting market and redirect revenue into the province.
The new corporation will likely implement strict player protection measures as the market is going open for new operators. Competition will be fierce, but all licensees will need to play by the rules.
Alberta Online Sports Betting – Key Facts
- Legal online sports betting in Alberta was introduced via the Bill C-218 in 2021.
- The only legal operator currently on the market is PlayAlberta.
- Offshore betting sites operate in a grey area.
- With Bill C-48 which was introduced in March 2025, third-party operators will be able to offer services to Alberta bettors legally. The bill was modeled after Ontario, where the online betting market is competitive.
Best Alberta Sports Betting Sites
Bettors looking to start wagering on the top sports will find the best Alberta betting sites on this page. Our team has handpicked the best sportsbooks in the province for your convenience. They all have proper licenses and are safe to join, offering a selection of Canadian sports betting markets and top odds.
| Betting Site | License |
| BetPlays | Anjouan |
| Sports Interaction | iGaming Ontario |
| Stake | Curaçao |
How to Bet Online in Alberta
Placing online bets in Alberta is easy if you know the basics. It starts by choosing a reputable provider, as offshore betting sites are not regulated yet. What’s good is that the best betting sites in Alberta carry valid licenses and offer all the sports betting markets you can think of with solid odds in tow.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to online betting in Alberta:
Choose a Licensed Betting Site
The first step is to pick a licensed Alberta betting site. Many offshore operators are free to offer their services to bettors in the province, and we suggest choosing one of our picks.
Register and Verify Your Account
Next up is to register a new account and verify via email. This means you’re all set for the betting challenges ahead. Log in with your new credentials to start.
Explore the Markets
Once you’re in, head to the sports betting lobby and explore the markets. Don’t stick to one – the best Alberta betting sites usually offer hundreds of pre-match and live betting options.
Make a Deposit and Start Betting
All that remains is to make a deposit using one of the trusted options and start betting. Choose your favorite sports and games and bet on any market you want.
Most Popular Sports at Top Alberta Sportsbooks
The best Alberta sportsbooks offer a wide selection of sports for punters to wager on. Most of them feature over 20 or 30 sports, with thousands of markets on offer.
Soccer is one of the most popular options, with European soccer dominating the sites of most sportsbooks. Alberta bettors can wager on La Liga, the Premier League, Serie A, the Champions League, and of course, the MLS and other North American competitions and tournaments. The top sportsbooks in Canada often have numerous special offers for soccer betting, including bonuses, free bets, and enhanced odds.
Basketball is another popular sport in Canada and Alberta, mostly thanks to the NBA. NBA betting in Alberta online mainly revolves around Toronto Raptors betting, a former champions and the only Canadian team in the NBA. As soon as the season begins in October, look for special NBA promos. The best Alberta betting sites ought to have them.
Naturally, all sports betting sites that operate in Alberta and Canada also offer ice hockey betting. It’s the most popular sport in the country, so NHL betting is a priority for most punters. The top betting sites in Canada cover the regular NHL season and all the Stanley Cup action, often enhanced with special offers.
In addition to these sports, Alberta bettors can also wager on Formula 1 and motor sports, UFC/MMA betting, and even Esports. The selection of sports and markets varies from bookmaker to bookmaker, but the aforementioned sports are offered everywhere.
Mobile Sports Betting in Alberta
Mobile sports betting in Alberta is the primary way most bettors place wagers online in Alberta. Recent technological jumps have enabled on-the-go betting, which is more popular than ever before.
Alberta bettors can use mobile sports betting apps or every sportsbook’s mobile website to bet on any sport they prefer. Mobile betting apps and sites feature the full portfolio of sports and markets, and often come with special incentives just for using the mobile version.
Modern mobile betting apps have features such as push notifications and live streaming. This makes them even more attractive to the younger generation of bettors.
Responsible Gambling
- All legal online sports betting operators in Alberta stick to the responsible gambling guidelines.
- New operators that will go live after Bill C-48 comes into effect must also oblige with responsible gambling rules.
- The top Alberta sportsbooks offer extensive guides to help players keep the habit in control. They also offer tools for the same purpose, and links to responsible gambling organizations. Players in need can contact these organizations to get professional help.
FAQ
Is Online Betting Legal in Alberta?
Yes, it is. Single-game sports wagering was introduced via Bill C-218 in 2021. In early 2026, Alberta will liberalize the online sports betting market, allowing third-party operators to obtain a local license.
Where to Find Top-Rated Alberta Sportsbooks?
You can look through our sports betting site reviews and find the top sportsbooks in Alberta. They’re all licensed despite being offshore, offering top markets and odds in dozens of sports.
Is There a Welcome Bonus for Joining the Best Betting Sites in Alberta?
The best betting sites in Alberta offer welcome bonuses in different forms. Most will have a 100% first deposit bonus, while others offer free bets or cashbacks for signing up.
Do the Top Sportsbooks in Alberta Offer Live Betting?
Yes, most top Alberta sportsbooks offer live betting. All of them have live stats so you can follow the action closely, with some offering live streaming for the top sports events.
