08 Aug 2023The various provinces of Canada have been slowly gearing up the provision of online casinos to their communities, starting with Ontario’s OLG back in 2000. Alberta is one of the most recent to follow suit, having launched PlayAlberta just a couple of years ago.
Today, casino game players and sports bettors in Alberta have more options than ever before. Not only is there a fully operational state-sanctioned casino site, there are many high quality offshore sites that cater specifically to the Canadian market.
Join us for an in-depth look at the Albertan online gambling scene, from its origins to where it stands today. Our experts have put together this guide to all that you need to know about online casinos in Alberta, so that you can find the best places to play all your favourite games.
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Gambling in Canada has a long history, going back to the country’s foundation. Here we look at some of the most significant events that shaped the way Canadian citizens gamble today, with a particular focus on the province of Alberta.
The Canadian Criminal Code bans all gambling. Illegal gambling dens quickly start to flourish.
Charity raffles and bingo sanctioned by the state.
Gambling events permitted for fundraising purposes at exhibitions and fairs.
Lotteries legalized to raise funds for government projects.
Gambling regulation moves from federal to provincial control.
Heinz Oldach founds Alberta Bingo Supplies (ABS) since rebranded to Pure Canadian Gaming.
Alberta’s first non-profit casino opens in Calgary.
Gambling legalised in Canada. Single-game sports wagering remains prohibited.
First Casino ABS location opens in Edmonton.
First government-owned, land-based casino opens in Winnipeg.
Video lottery terminals launched in Alberta.
Second Casino ABS location opens in Lethbridge.
Existing Albertan regulatory groups merge to form the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC).
AGLC launches PlayAlberta, the only state-sanctioned online casino site in the province.
Single-event sports betting legalised under federal law and sanctioned in Alberta.
Gambling legislation in Alberta, Canada is primarily governed by the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act and the Gaming and Liquor Regulation. These laws and regulations are enforced by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).
Overall, gambling legislation in Alberta is designed to ensure that all forms of gambling are conducted in a fair and responsible manner, and that the proceeds from gaming activities are used for the benefit of the province – a so-called charitable gambling model. The AGLC plays a vital role in enforcing these laws and regulations, and in promoting responsible gambling behaviour in Alberta.
The AGLC is responsible for the regulation and oversight of all gaming activities in Alberta, including casinos, slot machines, lottery games, and charitable gaming events. They also oversee the licensing and regulation of liquor sales and service in the province.
All forms of gambling in Alberta must be authorised by the AGLC. This includes both land-based gambling and Alberta online casinos, as well as horse racing and other sports betting. The AGLC also sets rules and regulations for the operation of casinos, including the amount of table and slot games that can be offered, as well as the minimum age for gambling – which is 18 years old.
Alberta also has a provincial lottery corporation, which operates and manages all lottery games in the province. The AGLC oversees the operations of this corporation to ensure that they are conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
Charitable gaming events, such as bingo and raffles, are also regulated by the AGLC. Organisations that wish to conduct these events must obtain a license from the AGLC, and must abide by strict rules and regulations to ensure that the proceeds are used for charitable purposes.
The AGLC also works to prevent problem gambling in the province. They offer a variety of programs and resources to help individuals who may be struggling with gambling addiction.
As in the rest of the country, in Alberta online gambling is also possible via offshore providers. Offshore gambling refers to using casino and sports betting companies or organisations that are based outside of Canada.
While offshore gambling is not specifically prohibited by Canadian law, it is important to note that it can be difficult for Canadian authorities to regulate or enforce laws related to offshore gambling companies. Additionally, offshore gambling companies may not be subject to the same strict regulations and oversight that Canadian-based companies are, which can lead to issues with fair play and consumer protection.
Single event sports betting has recently been legalised in Canada. Before 2021, the laws only allowed for parlay betting, where bettors have to place multiple bets on the outcomes of multiple games. When single-event betting was made legal by the federal government, it was left up to the provinces to decide if it would be implemented, and Alberta swiftly brought it onto the statute books.
The addition of single-event sports betting has given a significant boost to Alberta’s official state-run online casino, PlayAlberta. According to the annual review, signups increased by 156% from 2021 to 2022, and total revenue for the site increased from C$37,000 to just under C$145,000.
In Alberta, gambling winnings are generally not subject to taxes. According to the Canadian Income Tax Act, gambling winnings are considered to be a windfall and as such, are not considered taxable income. This applies to both land-based and online gambling winnings, as well as winnings from lottery and raffles.
Professional gamblers, who earn a significant portion of their income from gambling, may be subject to taxes on their winnings as it will be considered as income earned from their profession. Gambling establishments are required to report any winnings over a certain amount to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the individual will receive a T5 slip as a proof of the winnings.
Alberta is home to several land-based casinos, each offering a unique gaming experience. Some of the top casinos in the province include:
All of these casinos are regulated by the AGLC and offer a safe and secure environment for gaming. Visitors will also find a wide range of amenities such as hotels, spas, restaurants, and entertainment options. All casinos have strict rules and regulations in place to ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and responsible manner.
Despite the popularity of PlayAlberta, many residents of the province choose Alberta casinos online that come from offshore providers. Since the law doesn’t explicitly prohibit players from accessing off-shore casinos, gamblers in Alberta are free to avail themselves of the services of these foreign operators.
Off-shore Alberta online casinos may present more choice of games, bigger casino bonuses, and more generous payout percentages. In fact, the AGLC reports that its slots are programmed to have an average return to player (RTP) percentage of 92%. This is much lower than what is offered at most overseas sites, where the average RTP is 96% with many slots even higher than this.
However, being outside the law can put players at risk, which is why we have created our listings for safe and trustworthy offshore casino providers that operate in Alberta. When considering whether to recommend an online casino, we look at the following criteria:
Only if a casino satisfies all these questions can we consider including it in our Alberta online gambling guide.
Yes, players in Alberta can use the state-run PlayAlberta online casino, or choose from the hundreds of licensed operators based overseas.
Off-shore online casinos give Albertans much more choice of different games to play, many more promotions, and better payout rates.
Any resident of Alberta who is over the age of 18 can gamble online in the province.
No, casino winnings are not subject to tax anywhere in Canada.
Search our listings to find the top casino sites for players in Alberta.
Contributor lyndsey@mrcasinova.comWith over six years of experience in content writing, Lyndsey is knowledgeable in various aspects in the gambling world, particularly in online casino reviews. Lyndsey studied English at the University of Malta and holds a Masters Degree in English and the Media.
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