Play Alberta is a great choice as it is provincially run by the AGLC and this means players can trust the site. There are dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android as well as an instant play option on the website. The only stipulation is that players must be physically located in Alberta. Residents are allowed to play on offshore sites as well. We have compared Play Alberta to popular offshore sites. We expect that these will be some of the first licensed Alberta online casinos when the market opens up in 2026 and new gambling regulations come into effect.
PlayAlberta and Its Online Casino Competitors in 2025
Play Alberta is owned by the provincial government and therefore differs from its competitors in many ways. At the moment, the only legal casinos in Alberta besides Play Alberta are land based casinos, which cater to players who prefer to walk into a physical establishment to spin slot machines and play on real tables.
Competition in the online market comes from offshore casinos. It is legal to play on offshore sites, as only Play Alberta is licensed by the Alberta Alcohol and Gambling Commission (AGLC). These are the differences between Play Alberta and other online casinos Canadian players can access.
- Geo restrictions: Play Alberta only accepts players physically located in the province and the site is geo-restricted. Other Alberta casinos allow players from countries where gambling is legal to create and operate user accounts.
- Licensing: Play Alberta is licensed by the AGLC, which has the mandate of regulating gambling in Alberta. Its online casino competitors are licensed by offshore regulators like the Malta Gaming Authority, the Curacao Gaming Control Board, and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
- Ownership: Play Alberta is state-owned and controlled by the provincial administration, while other casinos are owned by private organisations.
Play Alberta vs Other Casinos in Alberta: Full Comparison Table
We've made it easy for players to compare Play Alberta vs other casinos in Alberta in the following table. We chose well known, safe and legit brands. These are Jackpot City, LeoVegas, and Yukon Gold. All three have been operating for years and are fully licensed and regulated for Canada. They also hold iGaming Ontario licenses, having entered the Ontario market when it launched in 2022. We expect that they will also get AGLC licenses once Alberta iGaming goes live in 2026 as well.
To find out exactly what's on offer at the provincially run site, be sure to read our full Play Alberta casino review.
Licensing and Player Safety Compared
Play Alberta's license is issued by the AGLC, while other casinos are licensed by international regulators. Providing a safe site for gambling is one of the ways through which the ALGC regulates gambling in Alberta. The commercial gaming market in the province launches in 2026 and will look a lot like the Ontario market, where offshore casinos must acquire a license from the AGCO and iGaming Ontario to operate in the province.
Offshore casinos with good ratings are licensed and audited for fair gaming. They are legit for players and many will be granted licenses when Alberta starts regulating gambling in 2026. For the moment, those looking for sites similar to Play Alberta can choose from hundreds of online casinos accepting players from Canada. It's important to choose ones that are licensed and regulated by the following authorities.
- The Malta Gaming Authority
- The Curacao Gaming Authority
- The Khanawake Gaming Commission
Responsible Gambling and Player Protection
Responsible gambling on Play Alberta is centred around Game Sense, which includes educational content and responsible gambling tools. Players learn how to gamble responsibly on Game Sense by setting limits and time-outs. Play Alberta alternative casinos provide links to other bodies like Connex Ontario and the Responsible Gambling Council. There are a wide range of responsible gambling tools like:
- Self exclusion tools
- Deposit limit tools
- Self Assessment questions
- Gambling sites blockers
- Support groups
The Future of PlayAlberta and Online Casinos in Alberta in 2026
Alberta's iGaming market will launch in 2026, opening the door to many casinos. Players will have more options for licensed casinos in Alberta, as well as better bonuses and more games. Online casinos will start being licensed to operate legally, just like Ontario. This follows the implementation of the Alberta iGaming Act, which was passed by parliament and the provincial administration.
Under the new act, only residents above 18 years will be allowed to access online casinos. Operators must be licensed by the ALGC and provide responsible gambling tools to members. Advertisements related to gambling must comply with regulations outlined in the act.
More in our Alberta Guide
To find out more about how things work in Alberta, be sure to check out our other guides. We have guides for gambling revenues and how they are distributed, the gambling laws explained, and much more. Check out the links below.
