Alberta's regulated iGaming market launches on the 13th July 2026 and already the AGLC has announced that over 50 brands have secured licensing or are in the process of securing a license and creating an agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC). BetMGM is signing up customers in Alberta ahead of the launch and LeoVegas has stated that they will not be launching an online casino in Alberta.
BetMGM Ready to Launch in Alberta
BetMGM is well known with Canadian players and offers an online casino and sports betting platform in Ontario, which was its first offering outside of the US. Alberta is next and BetMGM is already signing up customers in the province ahead of the regulated iGaming launch on July 13.
Competition in Alberta online casinos and sports betting is expected to be fierce and BetMGM will place focus on responsible gambling through campaigns that appeal to regular bettors, sports fans, and occasional players across Canada.
BetMGM's Responsible Gambling Tools and Resources
BetMGM will provide access to a range of responsible gambling tools and resources and has Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers captain and Canadian hockey player to showcase the brand's commitment to player protection.
BetMGM's responsible gambling campaign called 'Mullet Over', promotes the suite of responsible gambling tools and features Connor McDavid and Terry Ryan. Richard Taylor, Director of Responsible Gambling at BetMGM said, 'From the start, our goal was to deliver responsible gambling information in a way people would genuinely pay attention to - and to meet fans where they are.'
He also said, 'Conor McDavid and Terry Ryan were natural partners for this campaign because they bring authenticity and cultural credibility. The public listens to people they know and admire, and as a three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner and one of the most recognizable athletes in hockey, Connor has a unique ability to make sure an important message truly lands.'
In Ontario, specifically, the gambling regulations restrict the use of athletes to responsible gambling messages only and the Alberta marketing policy is set to follow the same guidelines.
Like all the online gaming brands set to launch in Alberta, BetMGM will have to adhere to the requirements set by the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) which includes obtaining the RG Check accreditation. RG Check is an independent responsible gambling program powered by the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC).
LeoVegas Opts Out of Alberta Launch
LeoVegas has been operating in Ontario's regulated market since it launched in April 2022, offering an online casino and sportsbook. Owned by MGM Resorts International, the company also runs the Royal Panda Casino. The operator has confirmed that they will not be launching in the regulated Alberta iGaming market.
A notice has been added to its Alberta-facing website that states that LeoVegas has paused signups in the province.
Daniel de Morais, the LeoVegas Communications Manager, said, 'We continuously conduct strategic reviews of our business to ensure we stay competitive, that our strategy supports clear long-term direction, and that we meet our sustainable growth ambitions. 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.'
When asked if they might launch LeoVegas Alberta at a later date, de Morais said, 'Our industry is a notoriously fast-moving one, and as such, it's always a challenge to speculate on what the future holds."
For now, LeoVegas will remain a licensed Ontario online casino and we'll have to wait and see if a move into the Alberta market will happen later.
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