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With more than 40 operators already registered ahead of its July 13 launch, Alberta’s regulated online gambling market is shaping up to be a who’s who of iGaming heavyweights.
The A-list roster of registrants features several major players, including BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, Caesars, BetRivers, and many, many more.
Yet for all the excitement around which brands will be joining the Alberta online casino and sports betting market, the conversation wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the number of notable omissions.
The focus now turns to why these operators are absent, and if it’s reasonable to expect them in Alberta anytime soon.
Fanatics Sportsbook Still Delaying Canadian Expansion
Of the 43 approved operators on the latest Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) registration list, released June 5, Fanatics Sportsbook and Casino is not one of them.
The United States-based brand carries a distinct footprint in its home country through its online gambling and sports merchandise products.
Fanatics expanded its American iGaming reach in 2024 after acquiring PointsBet’s US holdings, which widened its online casino presence to lucrative regulated markets in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
During that time, the company was also very transparent about its intentions to enter the Canadian online gambling market. Declarations have since quieted to whispers, as Fanatics’ proposed international expansion has yet to include the Great White North.
With Ontario already a mature market, it’s understandable for interest there to have waned. The brand doesn’t seem overly eager to enter Alberta, either – publicly, at least.
That could very well change in the two months before launch, but nothing right now has indicated any different.
Hard Rock Playing Wait-and-See After Obtaining Ontario License?
Hard Rock, unlike Fanatics, has already joined the Canadian iGaming market.
The prominent name in online and land-based gambling secured an internet gaming operator license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) this past May.
While the Hard Rock Bet platform isn’t yet visible on iGaming Ontario’s list of active operators, the expectation is that it will be soon. Given that recent development, it’s fair to wonder if the brand wants to finalize its Ontario launch before possibly dipping into the Alberta market.
Right now, it appears Hard Rock’s absence from the list of early Alberta registrants is a matter of poor timing, and not necessarily a lack of interest.
The latter will become more apparent if more time passes without further action or statements from the company.
Stake’s Path is More Complicated
Armed with an international following and megastar Drake as its very visible global brand ambassador, Stake‘s bid for a spot in the regulated online gambling market isn’t as cut and dry as its reputation on paper might suggest.
The operator is primarily a cryptocurrency-focused online casino and sportsbook operating in offshore markets rather than locally regulated spaces.
This distinction often presents regulatory challenges, and those conflicts make it difficult for the brand to meet the requirements in a regulated environment.
For that reason, Stake is one of the less likely candidates to join Alberta, or even Ontario, in the near term.
Several Ontario Operators Still Not Present; Handful Unique to Alberta
Alberta’s market is shaping up to be robust, but it still has some room to grow before reaching Ontario levels.
It’s possible for part of that growth to come from Ontario operators who have yet to register for an Alberta iGaming license. That list, based on the most filings from the AGLC, includes:
- Bunchberry Limited (ComeOn!)
- Canadix Limited (Swiper, ToonieBet)
- Ellipse Entertainment Limited (High Flyer Casino)
- Kaizen Gaming (Betano)
- LCKY Entertainment Limited (Lucky Casino)
- Ligtip Limited (TonyBet)
- NorthStar Gaming (Ontario) Inc. (NorthStar Bets)
- NSUS Limited (GGPoker)
- Reactive Betting Ltd. (Neo.bet)
- Shark77 Limited (Titan Play)
- The Six Gaming Limited (Amazon Slots, Fever Slots)
- TigerGen Limited (LeoVegas, Royal Panda)
- VHL Ontario Limited (888 Casino, 888 Poker, 888 Sport)
While it’s unlikely that all of these brands will prioritize Alberta expansion, some of the bigger names like ToonieBet and Betano may explore entry at a later date.
There are also a handful of operators coming to Alberta that are not currently available to players in Ontario. The group consists of:
- G2 Digital AB, LLC (Vegas Club Casino)
- Pure Casino Entertainment Limited Partnership (Pure Casino)
- River Cree iGaming Limited Partnership (River Cree iGaming)
River Cree Resort and Casino recently announced that it will debut its online gambling platform toward the end of 2026.
Expect More Names in Short-Term, Less in Long-Term
The AGLC’s list of registered operators is by no means final at 43. That number will likely only increase in advance of the market opening, as more brands aim to capitalize on Alberta’s seemingly endless potential.
As the market takes shape, and the elite performers rise to the top, the question then turns to the overall depth of the market and how many operators it will be able to sustain.
That’s something only time will dictate, but the fact of the matter is Alberta’s regulated regime is already bustling – even in the absence of several prominent operators.
