The world of single-game sports betting came to Alberta in September of 2021. Restricted to persons aged 18 and older, AGLC, the governing body of gambling in the province) currently oversees the regulation of sports betting in Alberta.
Our aim is to inform residents in Alberta of the sports betting scene. In this guide. We look at different bookmakers offered in the province, how to bet in Alberta and how to play responsibly!
Single-game sports betting is a form of entertainment and we want to ensure you’re well-prepared for your first bet! Let’s jump into everything there is to know about betting in Alberta!
Rating bookmakers isn’t easy! We have a set of standards we hold bookmakers to when reviewing them.
When rating a bookmaker, we look at the following topics:
Security and Reputations – We only rate and recommend legitimate bookmakers. The first thing we look for is if the operator is legal.
Customer Support – Users will need help at some point. We check to see how bookmakers will support you during tough times.
Sports Coverage – Having the best sports and markets available make certain bookmakers stand out!
Bonuses and Promotions – These are freebies and goodies for users. If a bookmaker offers great bonuses and promotions, that is something we’ll make note of.
Banking Methods and Payout Speeds – Bettors in Alberta need the best banking methods possible. We look at how many deposit and withdrawal options are offered as well as the speed in which you receive funds.
Features – What helps the bookmaker stand out from others? Features like early cash-out and live streaming can go a long way.
Betting in Alberta
Betting in Alberta changed in 2021. With the approval of Bill C-218 (more on that later), the province was able to manage their own sportsbook and single-game sports betting. Since the approval of Bill C-218, we have seen the province flourish in betting-related revenue and the market only continues to get bigger!
With single-game sports betting the focal point for Albertans, they can now (legally) wager on sports betting without issue.
Is sports betting legal in Alberta?
Single-game sports betting became legal in Alberta on September 1, 2021. Becoming the 8th province to offer single-game betting, the approval to allow betting also included the launch of PlayAlberta. Restricted to players aged 18+, sports betting could help the province flourish in potential revenue. Since the approval of single-game sports betting, the province has seen over $100 in revenue and that number continues to climb.
What Is Single-Game Sports Betting?
Single-game sports betting means you are able to wager on the outcome for one game. Before, bettors in Canada would need to combine multiple picks into a parlay. With the approval of Bill C-218, it allowed bettors to wager on individual games.
This also means that provinces are able to conduct and manage single-game sports betting events within their own provincial borders, instead of only offering combination (parlay) options.
How did Sports Betting Become Legal in Alberta?
Bill C-218 was the stepping stone to legal sports betting in the province (and Canada). The bill was proposed to amend the Criminal Code and legalize single-game sports betting in Canada. In June of 2021, Bill C-218 received approval from the Senate. A week later, Bill C-218 received royal assent from the Chief Justice of Canada, Richard Wagner. This was the final step in allowing single-game sports betting in the country.
In August of 2021, the ALGC indicated that single-game sports betting could come to the province of Alberta later in the year. In September of 2021, AGLC announced that single-game sports betting was live on PlayAlberta, marking it as the province’s first-ever regulated (online) sportsbook.
Later in 2021, the AGLC began accepting applications from vendors interested in entering the sports betting market (in Alberta).
Since the original approval in 2021 for Bill C-218, that opened the door to single-game sports betting in the province. And in September of that same year, the province first opened its (online) doors to single-game sports betting.
What does the Future Hold for Sports Betting in Alberta?
Single-game sports betting is a huge business! Estimated to be in excess of $ 10 billion annually (in Canada), it’s clear why provinces wanted to legalize this business. With potential profits, the future of sports betting in Alberta could blossom further with additional bookmaker operating in Province. Currently, only PlayAlberta operates as the official bookmaker of Alberta. But if the province were to grant other companies full licenses to conduct services in the province, there is no telling what that could do for the economy in Alberta!
As the world of single-game sports betting continues to grow in the province, we’ll see direct impacts in the community. The government will have new revenue streams and there is potential to open physical sportsbook venues, which could create jobs and investments in the community as well! We’ve seen how physical sportsbooks could operate in the United States and it’s only a matter of time until Canadian provinces follow suit.
Who can bet on sports in Alberta?
As long as you are of legal age, you are able to bet on sports in Alberta! The legal age in Alberta is 18+ but certain bookmakers operate at 19+. The quickest way to figure out if you’re eligible is by reading the terms and conditions of the site.
When betting in Alberta, the only fully legal betting site is PlayAlberta. The purpose of PlayAlberta is to keep money within the province. Of course, you can access other betting sites as well but they won’t be held to the same standards of PlayAlberta. Residents of Alberta can play wherever they want as well, including other countries and provinces. They need to abide by certain laws and regulations for wherever they are situated, however.
Bettors in the province do NOT have to pay taxes on their winnings and you can access betting sites via mobile or desktop.
Alberta has rules to not allow underage gambling, set by the AGLC. As long as you follow the rules set out by the AGLC, you shouldn’t run into any issues! Following the guidelines will help provide a better experience when betting in Alberta.
What About Offshore Bookmakers in Alberta?
Offshore bookmakers are available in Alberta! They are considered a grey area and are operated outside of provincial borders. Canadian bettors can access some of these sites and play on their websites! However, since they are offshore, they are not held to the same standards as regulated bookmakers in the province. With that being said, the majority of offshore bookmakers available will be legit. Just ensure you do proper research before signing up and depositing!
How to Start Betting in Alberta
New to betting? Don’t worry, becoming a bettor in Alberta is simple! Although it may be daunting, we can help ease the transition for those looking to join the betting scene.
To begin betting in Alberta, follow these steps:
Registering: To begin betting in Alberta, you’ll need to register for a betting site! Our guide can direct to you bookmakers that may interest in you. But to start, you’ll need to register an account. This includes creating a profile on your selected online bookmaker.
Banking: You’ll need to deposit and withdraw funds to and from your account. When registering for a site, learn about the different banking methods and how they can benefit you as a player.
Familiarity: Becoming familiar with the operator you are using is another way to start betting! Learning where to place bets, how to find specific markets, contact customer service and everything involving the site will help you become a savvy bettor.
Popular Sports to bet on Alberta
Alberta is rooted in sports and these are some of the most popular sports to bet on in the province!
Hockey – The sport of hockey dominates the province of Alberta. From the Calgary Flames to Edmonton Oilers, these two teams are wildly popular among bettors in Alberta. Away from the NHL, you will also see Albertans hammer odds on Major Junior hockey, especially the WHL! All hockey markets are in play but the NHL and Major Junior dominate. There is extra love for tournaments such as the Olympics or World Juniors, also.
American Football – Despite the province not housing a franchise, the NFL and CFL are huge markets! NFL gets love throughout the season, with Albertans showing favoritism towards the Minnesota Vikings. However, the Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders are popular picks among bettors.
Basketball – The Toronto Raptors (and NBA action in general) are watched favorably in Edmonton. The province has seen a spike in interest ever since the Raptors won their first NBA championship and that support has not wavered. Now, professional basketball continues to be a hot commodity for bettors in Alberta.
Soccer – Considered the global game, it makes sense that soccer has supporters in the province. Calvary FC (Calgary) are the lone team in Alberta (CPL) but bettors support all professional leagues, include the EPL and MLS! Every major professional soccer league will be represented thanks to Alberta’s diverse culture. Professional leagues in Germany, France and other European countries receive extra attention thanks to Alberta’s history.
Baseball – Canada has deep roots in professional baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays are Canada’s team. With Alberta being close to states such as Washington, the Seattle Mariners receive love as well! As expected, the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox also have support in the province of Alberta. Bettors in Alberta tend to focus on MLB betting for professional baseball but other leagues and tournaments (such as the World Baseball Classic) garner special attention every time they roll around.
Most Popular Betting Markets
On top of popular sports, you need popular betting markets! These are the most popular betting markets wagered on in Alberta sports betting:
💰 Moneyline – The most straightforward betting market, betting on the Moneyline means you are selecting a team to win straight up. Simply put, if you back a team to win and they win the game, then you win the bet! Moneyline betting is a popular pick among every type of bettor, from newbies to vets.
💰 Spread – The spread is used to balance two teams. Basically, the spread takes away points from the favourite and awards them to the underdog. If the Flames are listed at –1.5, they would need to win by 2 (or more) goals to win the bet! Meanwhile, the underdog in this case at +1.5 would need to win the game outright or lose by 1 goal to win the bet. Spread betting is popular in all professional sports markets.
💰 Totals – Known as the over/under, totals betting is usually reserved for the number of points scored in a game. In an NBA game, we could see an o/u of 212.5. If you see this line, you are betting on if there will be 213+ points scored, or 212 (or fewer) points scored in the game. Totals betting is a favourite among NBA and NFL bettors.
💰 Props - Proposition bets are wagered not directly tied to the outcome of the game. This could include total shots from a player in hockey to number of team free throws (o/u) in a basketball game. The Super Bowl is notorious for Prop bets, as you can wager on interesting markets. Some prop bets can include stats but also which commercial will be shown first between two companies! It’s a captivating market with loads of betting potential.
💰 Parlays – If you’re a bettor, chances are you’ve heard of parlay betting! Parlay wagers are the combination of multiple bets (legs) into a single wager. Parlays can range from 3-legs to as many bets allowed by the bookmaker. The key is that parlay betting combines multiple bets into a SINGLE wager. Meaning if you have 8-bets in a parlay, all 8 need to win in order for you to win your bet. Parlay betting can offer insane profits but with increased risk.
💰 Futures – As it sounds, Futures betting is a wager on an event that will not happen immediately. The most common futures bet includes the likes of the championship winner of your favourite sport, like Stanley Cup Champion or World Series Champion. These bets are typically made at the start of the season as it provides better odds than later in the year.
💰 In-Play – Also known as live betting, In-Play betting is when bets are placed AFTER play has begun. Once the ball/puck is in play, that’s when live betting can begin! Bettors love this market because there is strategy in betting as the game unfolds. Live betting also provides reflecting odds directly correlated to how the game is being played, like score and momentum etc.
Other Betting Markets
ESports: eSports are one of the biggest markets in betting! Professional eSports have a huge following and are actively watched. Some of the bigger games to wager on include the Call of Duty League, as well as League of Legends. Any legitimate sportsbook will offer eSports and betting sites in Alberta definitely know this!
Politics: Politics are a big market in betting! Experienced bettors know all too well how popular this market can be. From the next United States president to other elections around the globe, bettors may look at this market as another opportunity!
Specials: Similar to the Politics section, Specials are a type of bet that may interest bettors! These markets could include winners at the Grammys to the next spokesperson for a certain brand! It’s interesting to see what bookmakers can come up with as these specials bets truly are special.
Virtual: Virtual betting isn’t exactly eSports betting. Virtual betting is based off an AI algorithm to determine outcomes for games. Some virtual sports include the ever so popular horse racing but you’ll also find virtual sports for American Football, Soccer, Basketball, Hockey and more! This is a great way to bet on your favourite sports that may be out of season.
Can You Bet on University Sports in Alberta?
Despite being a focal point on campus, USports isn’t as prominent as NCAA athletics. This means finding odds on anything related to the Calgary Dinos or Alberta Golden Bears would be quite challenging.
Popular Teams in Alberta
The province of Alberta is rich in sports history. The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers of the NHL are the province’s two major teams! From there, the CFL reigns supreme with both the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Elks (CFL).
Soccer fans get their fix with Calvary FC (CPL) and lacrosse fans can follow the Calgary Roughnecks (NLL).
Junior hockey is another prominent figure in Alberta nightlife. Teams like the Medicine Hat Tigers, Edmonton Oil Kings, Calgary Hitmen, Red Deer Rebels, and Lethbridge Hurricanes are popular tickets every time they play!
Away from teams situated in Alberta, the Toronto Blue Jays (MLB), Toronto Raptors (NBA) and Minnesota Vikings (NFL) hold a special place in Albertans' hearts.
Other Types of Gambling
Aside from betting on sports, betting in Alberta includes several categories. Bettors that want to focus on a different category can look at other options, such as the online casino!
Online casinos are another HUGE market for bettors in Alberta. The ability to play your favourite casino games from wherever you reside has changed the industry. Much like a regular casino, online casinos feature real winnings and real games!
Some of the most notable online casino games include the likes of Poker, Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette and Slots! As well, virtual horse racing is another hot market in Alberta. Online casinos allow you to play at your own pace, without the pressure of holding up a table or the feeling of judgement for playing only one type of game. It’s the best of both worlds as you can play how you want and when you want!
You can also play with LIVE dealers as well, if that’s your thing! Bettors in Alberta can take advantage of bookmakers that offer live casinos, which includes real dealers serving you cards. Again, this includes such markets like Poker and Blackjack! Different bookmakers will offer different games but the general rule is that any casino game you can play at a physical casino will be playable online.
An innovating market, the addition of live dealers has taken gambling in Alberta to new heights and it’s easy to see why bettors in Alberta love the online casino.
How to Play Responsibly in Alberta
Being aware of Alberta’s laws when it comes to betting in the province is always a good first step. But other than obeying the law, how else can you bet responsibly in Alberta?
Whenever you join a sportsbook, look at what policies are in place to help bettors have an enjoyable and safe experience. This could be in the form of self-exclusions, time limits, deposit limits, credit card restrictions and other various means of restrictions. This can allow bettors to enjoy betting without overconsuming the product. Legitimate sportsbooks will often provide resources to ensure their customers are having a safe and enjoyable time.
Why You Should Avoid Certain Sportsbooks
When joining a sportsbook, there are characteristics you should look for that indicate they may not be the bookie for you!
The first thing we’ll look at is if they allow underage gambling. That is a big no-no in the industry and should be avoided at all costs! As well, you should also look at the customer service options and the number of banking options!
Reading reviews could also help make an educated decision, although every bookmaker’s experience will be different!
When in doubt, avoid bookmakers that have no license or seem sketchy, break laws and have terrible customer service. Chances are, you’re going to be burned by them.
Provincial Betting Guide
Intro plus the list of states where sports betting is also available with a link to the state’s page.
Licensed vs. Unlicensed Sites
Licensed and Unlicensed bookmakers pop up every day. Licensed bookmakers are regulated by governing bodies, such as the AGLC. Unlicensed bookmakers are considered grey areas where they are legal but not held to the same standards as licensed operators. The pros of betting on a licensed site include:
Quicker Payouts
Great Bonuses/Promotions
Customer Service Options
Proven Track Record
Clearly Identifiable License
Unlicensed bookmakers may offer these features as well, but as an operator they are NOT held to as high of a standard as licensed operators. The biggest pro to using a licensed site is that they are regulated by a governing body, which means to remain operable they must abide by certain laws and regulations.
Why should I use a licensed site?
Licensed bookmakers are recommended because they are regulated and trusted by the AGLC. With a valid license, you can contact the gambling commission if needed. Operators with licenses are notorious for having to abide by stricter rules than non-licensed bookmakers. By using a licensed bookmaker, you are playing with a trusted operator which can improve your betting experience.
PlayAlberta
PlayAlberta is the only regulated online gambling site in the province. The purpose of PlayAlberta is to keep money spent in Alberta in the province. Thus, the generated revenue goes directly back into the Government of Alberta’s General Revenue Fund.
FAQ
What is the Legal Age of Sports Betting in Alberta?
To legally bet in Alberta, users must be 18+. However, some bookmakers operate at 19+
How does PlayAlberta’s Laws Impact Bettors from Outside of the Province?
Bettors outside of Alberta will need to follow the same laws when betting in the province. This means that in order to bet, users must use the PlayAlberta website to place sportsbook or casino wagers. Access to other betting sites not governed by the AGLC or run by PlayAlberta may not be granted.
Do You Have to Pay Tax on Winnings in Alberta?
No! Any winnings earned from gambling does not have to be declared as income on your tax return.
Can You Access U.S. Sportsbooks in Alberta?
Depending on the site, you may be able to access U.S. sportsbooks in Alberta. However, they would not be fully governed in the province since the only fully legal way to bet in Alberta is through PlayAlberta.
Does Alberta Have Physical Casinos?
There are over 20+ different physical casinos available to bettors. These range as far north as Fort McMurray to Lethbridge. Edmonton has several casinos to visit as well and is a focal point for casino bettors in the province.
What are Popular Bookmakers in Alberta?
Some of the more popular bookmakers in Alberta include PlayAlberta, Bet365, BetVictor, Sports Interaction, Pinnacle and Proline+
Are There any Retail Sportsbooks in the Province?
Currently, Alberta does not provide any physical locations for retail sportsbooks.
Can You Bet on the UFC in Alberta?
Yes! UFC betting was halted due to integrity concerns but the sport league was reinstated in December of 2022.
What is the AGLC?
The AGLC is the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. It is an agency of the government for the province of Alberta. The AGLC regulates alcoholic beverages, recreational cannabis and gaming related activities. In regards to betting in Alberta, the AGLC oversees bids from prospective vendors that wish to enter the province’s sports betting market.
Disclaimer
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