Alberta Sports Betting: Top Sportsbooks & Legal Updates

The world of single-game sports betting opened to Alberta in September 2021. Restricted to persons aged 18 and older, sports betting in Alberta is currently regulated by the AGLC, the governing body of gambling in the province.

My aim with this article is to inform Albertans of the sports betting scene—single-game sports betting is a form of entertainment, and I want to ensure you’re well-prepared for your first bet. In this guide I examine the different sportsbooks offered in the province, how to bet in Alberta, and how to play responsibly. Let’s jump right in with our top Alberta sportbooks: 

There is a huge variety of sports betting sites available for Alberta gamblers, but if you’re looking the best of the best, look no further: 

Sportsbook	Best for
Betovo	Bet Builder
Hot.Bet	Player Props
LeoVegas	Mobile Betting
Sports Interaction	User Experience
GreatWin	Payment Options
LuckyKoala	Live Betting
Select.Bet	Virtual Sports
Betway	Bet Boosts
Bet365	Welcome Offer
TonyBet	Esports Betting

Of course, the key to a positive betting experience is finding a betting site that perfectly meshes with your personal preferences—so join me as I dive into the specifics and show you exactly how each of these sportsbooks stand out. 

One of the big reasons that many users choose to start wagering online is to get access to top-notch betting bonuses, and there are many different kinds of bonuses to be found on Alberta betting sites. Here are the best bonuses available to Albertans right now: 

Sportsbook	What You Get
	100% Matched Deposit Up to $375
	10% Cashback Up to $750
	$40 Risk Free Bet for Sports Bettors

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, and the years since have seen the province flourish in betting-related revenue, particularly single-game sports betting. 

Alberta sports betting is rapidly evolving, with changes effecting what bettors can expect in the province. Let’s look at some of the recent updates.  

June 2024: Study is released that shows a majority of Alberta sports betting is done with illegal operators. 

August 2024: PENN CEO discusses the possibility of a regulated Alberta sports betting market like the one in Ontario, saying that he expects it to be a “very strong market” for PENN. 

October 2024: Canadian senators are considering passing a bill that would limit sports betting companies' abilities to advertise, following complaints from the public about an overwhelming number of ads. 

October 2024: Alberta’s minister leading the charge on the province’s push toward a regulated sports betting market like Ontario, hints at an Ontario arrival for this market. 

New to betting? Don’t worry, sports betting in Alberta is simple—just follow these steps to get started: 

1. Registering: To begin betting in Alberta, you’ll need to register at a betting site! I recommend trying one of the sites mentioned here on this page. Creating an account on a betting site is usually quick and straightforward, though it will require you to input some personal details.  
2. Banking: Once you’ve got an account up and running, you’re going to need to put some money into it to start betting. Depositing is a fast, easy process with most operators. Users simply input their payment details and select how much they want to deposit. 
3. Learn the ropes: You’ll probably to familiarise yourself with the operator you are using, get a sense of how they work, and where you might find advantages. BettingTop10 Canada has a bunch of guides filled with useful information to help you along the way. 

Popular Sports to Bet on in Alberta 

Albertans love sports, some more than others—here are the most popular sports to bet on in the province: 

Hockey – like many parts of Canada, hockey dominates the province of Alberta. The Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers 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 plenty of love throughout the season, with Albertans favouring the Minnesota Vikings. The Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders are also popular picks among bettors. 

Basketball – The province has seen a spike in interest ever since the Toronto 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. 

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 plenty of 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 

These are the most popular betting markets! 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. 

Parlays – 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 betting site. 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 increased risk. 

Futures – Futures betting is a wager on an event that will not happen immediately. The most common futures bets include 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 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. 

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. 

Can You Bet on University Sports in Alberta? 

Despite being a focal point on campus, university sports aren’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.  

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!  

Other than teams situated in Alberta, the Toronto Blue Jays (MLB), Toronto Raptors (NBA) and Minnesota Vikings (NFL) hold a special place in Albertans' hearts. 

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. 

Online Casinos

Online casinos are another huge betting market in Alberta, and 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, including poker, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, slots and many more.  

Virtual horse racing

This 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! 

Live Dealers

Bettors in Alberta can take advantage of betting sites that offer live casinos, which includes real dealers serving you cards. This includes markets like poker and blackjack. An innovating market, the addition of live dealers has taken gambling in Alberta to new heights. 

For many bettors, there is nothing more important than a great betting app. Several Alberta sports betting sites offer betting apps for users, but be warned—since the market is not fully regulated like Ontario, there are fewer betting apps available. Still, the apps that are available in the province are excellent. 

Below, let’s look at some of the top betting apps available for Albertans: 

App	Android Rating	iOS Rating
Sports Interaction	3.7	4.5
888Sport	4.4	4.3
TonyBet	N/A	N/A
LeoVegas	4.2	4.3
Betway	4.4	4.7
Bet365	4.5	4.7
Bwin	3.5	3.9
Bet99	2.2	4.4

While many people love to gamble online, others prefer to wager in person at a brick-and-mortar casino. If this sound like you, know that there are plenty of great options—Alberta has numerous land-based casinos, with six tribal casinos and 15 land-based casinos, making for a total of 21 casinos in the province. Below is a look at the casinos that are situated in the province. 

Casino Name	Address
Century Casino Calgary	1010 42nd Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1Z4
Cash Casino	4040 Blackfoot Tr SE, Calgary, AB
Cowboys Casino	21 - 12 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1A5
Deerfoot Inn & Casino	1000, 11500 - 35 St SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 3W4
Elbow River Casino Calgary	218, 18th Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 4S1
Grey Eagle Casino	3777 Grey Eagle Drive, Calgary, AB T3E 3X8
Baccarat Casino	Baccarat Casino, 10128 104 Ave, Edmonton, AB
Casino Edmonton	7055 Argyll Road, Edmonton, Alberta T6C 4A5
Century Mile Racetrack and Casino	4711 Airport Perimeter Road, Edmonton International Airport, Alberta
Century Casino	4711 Airport Perimeter Road, Edmonton International Airport, Alberta
Grand Villa Edmonton Casino	10204 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, Alberta
Northlands Park Racetrack & Casino	7410 Borden Park Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 2N5
Pure Casino	7055 Argyll Rd NW, Edmonton, Alberta
Pure Casino Yellowhead	12464 153 Street Northwest, Edmonton, Alberta
Starlight Casino Edmonton	8882 170 Street Northwest #2710, Edmonton AB T5T 4J2
Boomtown Casino	9825 Hardin St, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4G9
Camrose Resort Casino	3201 48 Ave., Camrose, AB T4V 0K9
Cash Casino	6305 67 Street, Red Deer, AB T4P 3L7
Casino Lethbridge	3756 2nd Ave S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4Y9

Obeying the law is not the only way to bet responsibly in Alberta—you also want to consider your own wellbeing.  

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. These are in place to allow bettors to enjoy betting without developing problematic habits.  

Gambling Resources for Bettor Safety 

Albertans are likely aware that gambling can lead to some issues, and there are resources available for those who are dealing with some problematic betting behaviour in the province. The AGLC operates GameSense, an online portal that provides recommendations for bettors on how to gamble responsibly. There is also a toll-free phone line associated with GameSense at 1-866-332-2322 where bettors can talk to advisers and gain access to important resources. For gamblers who need direct assistance and want to speak with trained professionals, this is the way to do it. 

Which Sportsbooks to Avoid 

When joining a sportsbook, there are several red flags that indicate this may not be the bookie for you.

Legal compliance

The first thing we’ll look at is if they allow underage gambling. This is a big no-no in the industry and should be avoided at all costs.  

Overall user experience

Shady sportsbooks will often neglect their users, so look at the customer service options and the number of banking options.  

Reviews

Reading user reviews could also help make an educated decision, although every bookmaker’s experience will, of course, be different. 

Licensing

Licensed sportsbooks are regulated by governing bodies, such as the AGLC. Unlicensed sportsbooks are considered grey areas where they are legal but not held to the same standards as licensed operators. 

When in doubt, avoid sportsbooks that have no license or seem sketchy, break laws and have terrible customer service. Chances are, you’re going to be burned by them. 

I always recommend betting with a licensed sportsbooks because they are regulated and trusted by the AGLC, meaning they have to abide by stricter rules than non-licensed bookmakers.

Among other things, this means you can contact the gambling commission if needed, but a licensed site has other advantages: 

Quicker payouts 

Great bonuses and promotions 

More customer service options 

Proven track record 

Clearly identifiable license 

Unlicensed sportsbooks may offer these features as well, but they are not held to the same high standards as licensed operators. 

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.  

A Note from BettingTop10: Some of our recommended site links are affiliate links. This means that if you visit these websites through our link and make a deposit, we might receive a commission payment at no extra cost to you. Don’t worry—our methodology ensures all our recommendations are still impartial.