Single-event sports betting is legal in Alberta. After Bill C-218 changed federal law in August 2021, Alberta enabled betting on a single game or event. This explainer covers what is legal today, who runs it, 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 now; open market from 13 Jul 2026 |
| Retail sports betting | Legal (20+ casinos + Sport Select) |
| Single-event legal | 27 Aug 2021 (open market 13 Jul 2026) |
| Regulator | AGLC; Alberta iGaming Corporation from Jul 2026 |
| Market model | Monopoly now; open from 13 Jul 2026 |
| Legal online operator(s) | Play Alberta now; AGLC-licensed books from 13 Jul 2026 |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Winnings taxed? | No – recreational winnings are tax-free |
Legal sports betting in Alberta
Until 13 July 2026, Play Alberta – run by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) – is the only legal online sportsbook. From that date, Alberta opens a competitive market: licensed private sportsbooks go live, 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 becomes Canada’s second open, competitive online market on 13 July 2026. Until then, Play Alberta is the legal option. 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 now, and AGLC-licensed sportsbooks from 13 July 2026.
- 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 now, and AGLC-licensed sportsbooks from 13 July 2026.
18. You must be 18 or older to bet in Alberta.
The legal option is Play Alberta now, and AGLC-licensed sportsbooks from 13 July 2026. 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 go 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.