Alberta’s regulated iGaming market is scheduled to open on July 13, with roughly 50 operator websites already registered to conduct business in the province. Industry expectations suggest more companies could still join, although several well-known brands have yet to appear on the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) list of approved operators.
Speaking at SBC Summit Canada in Toronto in May, Alberta Minister Dale Nally said he believed around 70 operators had submitted licence applications. Many of Ontario’s licensed brands are expected to launch in Alberta, including bet365, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet and theScore Bet.
Several notable operators remain absent from the current list, including LeoVegas, Fanatics Betting and Gaming, Hard Rock Bet and Betano. Their plans differ as Alberta prepares to welcome regulated online gaming.
LeoVegas Shifts Attention to Ontario
LeoVegas has confirmed it will not participate in Alberta’s regulated market at launch. The MGM Resorts International-owned operator currently runs both the LeoVegas sportsbook and casino along with the Royal Panda casino brand in Ontario. It also operates a separate platform serving customers across the rest of Canada.
The company recently paused new registrations through its Alberta-facing website and said it intends to focus on its Ontario business instead.
Daniel de Morais, Communications Manager at LeoVegas, said: “We continuously conduct strategic reviews of our business to ensure we stay competitive, that our strategy supports a clear long-term direction, and that we meet our sustainable growth ambitions.”
He added: “In line with this, we have decided to stop access to our services from Alberta to fully focus on growing our existing business in Ontario.”
Asked whether Alberta could become part of the company’s plans in the future, de Morais responded: “Our industry is a notoriously fast-moving one, and as such, it’s always a challenge to speculate on what the future holds.”
Other Operators Continue Preparing
While LeoVegas has stepped aside, Betano is preparing for Alberta’s regulated market. Parent company Kaizen Gaming confirmed it has completed the required registration process.
A company representative said the operator completed regulatory registration in Alberta “as part of our standard market preparation.” The company did not provide a launch date and said future announcements would be made through its official channels.
Betano entered Ontario in late 2022 as its first North American market and has maintained a visible marketing presence across the province.
Fanatics Betting and Gaming also remains absent from Alberta’s operator list. The company confirmed it has no immediate plans for either Ontario or Alberta, although Canadian expansion remains under consideration. Chief Operating Officer Scot McClintic previously told Canadian Gaming Business in December 2024: “We definitely want to be in Canada.”
TonyBet has previously identified Alberta as part of its expansion plans. Earlier this year, the operator said: “We have ambitious, long-term plans for Alberta and see it as an important market for our expansion.”
Hard Rock Bet also remains outside Alberta’s list despite securing an Ontario iGaming operator licence in May. The company declined to comment on whether Alberta forms part of its future plans.
Source:
“Alberta iGaming launch: LeoVegas opts out, Betano preparing”, canadiangamingbusiness.com, Jun 26, 2026
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