Alberta’s open, regulated sports betting market is now live. Since 13 July 2026, Alberta-licensed sportsbooks have operated alongside Play Alberta, making it the second Canadian province after Ontario to open a competitive online market. This explainer covers what is legal, who runs sports betting in Alberta, the legal age, how to bet, and how winnings are taxed.
Alberta sports betting at a glance
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Online sports betting | Legal – Play Alberta plus AGLC-licensed private sportsbooks |
| Retail sports betting | Legal (20+ casinos + Sport Select) |
| Single-event legal | 27 Aug 2021 (open market since 13 Jul 2026) |
| Regulator | AGLC + Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) |
| Market model | Open, competitive (since 13 Jul 2026) |
| Legal online operator(s) | Play Alberta + AGLC-licensed private books |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Winnings taxed? | No – recreational winnings are tax-free |
Legal sports betting in Alberta
Alberta now runs an open, competitive online market. Play Alberta – run by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) – was the only legal online sportsbook until 13 July 2026, when the province opened to licensed private sportsbooks, regulated by the AGLC with the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) managing the commercial side. Alberta also has more than 20 land-based casinos and offers retail Sport Select betting.
Legal status and key dates
Single-event sports betting became legal across Canada on 27 August 2021, when Bill C-218 amended the Criminal Code. Alberta became Canada’s second open, competitive online market on 13 July 2026. Play Alberta remains a legal option alongside the licensed private sportsbooks. The iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48) received Royal Assent in May 2025, creating the Alberta iGaming Corporation to run the open market.
How to bet legally in Alberta
- Use a legal option – Play Alberta or an AGLC-licensed private sportsbook.
- Be 18 or older (the legal gambling age in Alberta).
- Create an account and verify your identity.
- Deposit with Interac, the most common Canadian method.
- Place your bet.
Are gambling winnings taxed in Alberta?
No. In Canada, recreational gambling winnings are not treated as taxable income, so you keep what you win. The only exception is the rare case of someone who gambles professionally as a business. This is a federal rule, so it applies in Alberta as it does across Canada.
Responsible gambling in Alberta
You must be 18 or older to bet in Alberta. Free, confidential support is available through the Alberta Health Services Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322, and every regulated site offers deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion.
FAQs
Yes. Single-event sports betting is legal in Alberta, offered through Play Alberta and AGLC-licensed private sportsbooks.
18. You must be 18 or older to bet in Alberta.
The legal options are Play Alberta and AGLC-licensed private sportsbooks. Sites operating outside provincial regulation offer weaker player protection.
No – recreational winnings are tax-free in Canada. Only professional gamblers, a rare business-like case, may be taxed.
13 July 2026, when licensed private sportsbooks went live under the AGLC.
For the national picture, see is sports betting legal in Canada?, or our guide to the best betting sites in Canada.
18+ in Alberta. Please play responsibly. Help is available through the Alberta Health Services Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322.