Ultimate Guide to Online Poker in Alberta - Is it Legal and Where Can I Play?

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Last updated: Jul 15, 2026 Published: May 12, 2025 10 min read

As shared liquidity grows in the United States, Alberta, Canada, is the latest North American province to legalize and regulate online gambling.

In early 2025, the Alberta Government introduced Bill 48, a piece of legislation opening the door to regulated online gambling.

Years of planning eventually came to fruition, and on July 13, 2026, Alberta launched its own regulated iGaming market. PokerNews has been closely following all the latest developments, so stay tuned for any further updates in the province.

In this guide, we'll take a look at online and live poker in Alberta and recent developments that could mean big things for online poker players in the province.

Current Situation of Online Poker in Alberta

Online gambling, including sports betting, online casinos and poker are all now fully regulated in Alberta - as of July 2026.

Previously, offshore operators were the only accessible gambling platforms for Albertans, but these were not locally regulated in the province. In the three months after the new regulated market launched, some offshore poker operators will continue to be available in Alberta, but this is only to give time for sites to launch AB-specific products.

In Canada (outside of Ontario and now Alberta, which have their own regulated market), large brands like 888casino and JackpotCity Casino, have taken advantage of the current position, and provide real money casino games to players in Canada using the offshore model.

Where to Play Online Poker in Alberta in 2026

As of July 2026, there are several poker sites that are available to Albertans. These include PokerStars, 888poker and PartyPoker's global sites.

Perhaps the greatest change for players will occur in the coming months. Operators have until October 13, 2026 to either leave the market, or launch an Alberta-specific product. So expect some of the biggest names in the industry to fully launch in Alberta very soon. In the meantime, most sites can continue to be played via the global platform, until the October deadline.

PokerStars Alberta

PokerStars Alberta is expected to launch very soon, bringing the most esteemed brand in poker to the province. Players can expect industry-leading software, more mixed games than any other platform and some of the most prestigious online poker tournaments in the calendar.

While the official PokerStars Alberta launch is still to come, residents in the province can still play on PokerStars' global platform.

888poker Alberta

888poker Alberta is expected to launch in the near future, bringing one of the world's largest online gambling brands to the province. Players can expect user-friendly software, a variety of cash games and tournaments, and some of the softest games in the industry.

Like PokerStars, residents in Alberta can continue playing on 888poker's global platform.

PartyPoker Alberta

PartyPoker Alberta is another name expected to enter the Alberta market. It's one of the most established online poker brands, and its smooth software, frequent poker series and attentive customer support will undoubtedly satisfy Albertan players.

While we await the official launch, Albertans can once again continue playing on PartyPoker's global site.

International Operators

As previously mentioned, there are several online poker operators that currently operate through Alberta's gray market. Until October 13, 2026 (or until each operator launches an Alberta-specific platform), most international sites will still be accessible to Albertans. As well as the ones we've covered above, here are some other brands that have previously been accessible in Alberta. We'll briefly explain what the new regulated iGaming market means for each.

GGPoker

GGPoker is an international poker brand that operates in Alberta through the gray market. Despite launching in similar circumstances when Ontario transitioned to a regulated market, GGPoker is not expected to immediately launch in Alberta. It's suggested that the brand, fronted by Canadian Daniel Negreanu, might be waiting until a final decision on shared liquidity (between Ontario and Alberta) is confirmed before committing to the market. If player pools are shared, it's very likely that GGPoker Alberta will launch.

As of July 2026, though, GGPoker is no longer accessible in Alberta.

WPT Global

WPT Global is active in an array of different worldwide markets, but it has not yet confirmed it will officially launch in Alberta. On the other hand, unlike GG, WPT Global hasn't confirmed it's withdrawing from Alberta either.

As of July 2026, Albertans can continue playing on WPT Global's international platform.

BetRivers Poker

BetRivers Poker is somewhat of a trailblazer, having previously entered markets like Delaware and West Virginia, where most other operators stayed away (due to them being a much smaller market than the likes of Pennsylvania).

But having said that, BetRivers hasn't confirmed that it's launching in Alberta. This is despite the fact that it has launched casino and sports betting in the region.

As of July 2026, Albertans cannot play on BetRivers Poker.

Live Poker in Alberta

While regulated online poker is still to reach its full potential, live poker is thriving in Alberta. There are several poker rooms across the province that run cash games around the clock and regularly host tournaments.

Here's a look at the best live poker rooms in Alberta.

Best Live Poker Rooms in Alberta

Elbow River Casino

With 14 cash game tables, Calgary's Elbow River Casino is the biggest poker room in Alberta.

Elbow River Casino spreads a variety of poker games, including Texas Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) and Omaha Hi-Lo, according to PokerAtlas.

The room also offers comps and includes tableside cocktail and food service.

Deerfoot Inn & Casino

Deerfoot Inn & Casino is another popular poker destination in Calgary, one that offers both cash games and low-stakes tournaments.

As far as formats go, the room runs both Texas Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) games. According to PokerAtlas, the room's perks include free parking, a self-serve drink station, jackpots and massage services.

Ace Casino Airport

Also in the Calgary area is Ace Casino Airport, a 12-table room that offers both cash game and tournament action. It is also one of the only rooms to offer Dealer's Choice, giving players a variety of mixed game options.

According to PokerAtlas, the perks of Ace Casino Airport include cocktail service, free parking, tableside food and a phone-in list.

Upcoming Changes - Regulation of iGaming

In early 2025, Alberta’s Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, Dale Nally, put forward Bill 48, which would introduce a new regulator for the region, similar to iGaming Ontario. This body would oversee all gaming operations in the province, including regulation and licensing for all online gambling operators who wish to operate in Alberta.

“Our goal is not to create new gamblers, but to make existing online gambling safer," Nally said about Bill 48. "As the gaming industry continues to evolve globally and in Alberta, it is important that we modernize Alberta’s approach to gaming to protect the health and safety of Albertans, particularly our youth.”

The bill in question was scrutinized for specific clauses and stipulations, but was ultimately successful. The launch of a regulated gambling market in July 2026 looks likely to establish a thriving online poker scene in Alberta.

In the 12 months between 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 alone, online gambling increased by 32% year on year to a huge C$3.2 billion.

Alberta Player Pool - International v Multi-Province

Now Bill 48 has made its way through the Alberta legal body, the focus turns to whether or not Alberta will remain ring-fenced or expanded to allow shared liquidity between Ontario, which also currently operates as a ring-fenced market.

Dale Nally and other Alberta officials have spoken about the importance of shared liquidity and the possibility of Alberta joining the Ontario market.

“The focus of this is not about upgrading PlayAlberta,” Dale Nally told the Edmonton Journal. “The focus of this is to have an open and free market for igaming, to offer more competition, and we believe that that is going to improve the experience for the player.”

What Online Poker Sites will Launch in Alberta?

Now that Bill 48 has made its way into law, there are a handful of poker operators that look likely to launch fully in Alberta, including many of those that already operate in the province through gray markets.

Let's look at which operators are likely to launch in Alberta.

888poker - 888poker expected to launch shortly in Alberta, especially given that the Gibraltar-based company already operates in Ontario.

PokerStars - PokerStars expected to launch shortly in Alberta. In March 2024, Poker Industry PRO reported that both PokerStars and BetMGM had hired lobbyists for regulated online poker in Alberta.

BetMGM - Like PokerStars, BetMGM has hired lobbyists for regulated online poker in the province, according to Poker Industry PRO. It has already launched BetMGM Casino Alberta, and it looks likely that its poker product will soon follow suit.

GGPoker - GGPoker has exiting the Alberta market (for now). While its international site was previously available, GGPoker Alberta might launch - but it seems heavily dependent on whether shared liquidity will be introduced.

BetRivers - One of the newest online poker operators on the market, Phil Galfond's BetRivers could expand to Alberta. As of July 2026, though, BetRivers Poker is not expected in Alberta in the near future - despite launching casino and sportsbook products in the province.

History of Gambling and Gambling Laws in Alberta

1892 - Gambling First Legalized
Gambling was first legalized in Alberta in the 19th century, where changes to the Criminal Code of Canada authorized gambling to take place under specific conditions.

1970 - Criminal Code Amendments
Eight decades later, the Criminal Code was once again amended. This time, it gave provinces the power to independently regulate and license gambling, including poker.

1975 - Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission Established
Alberta's first attempts at properly legalizing and regulating gambling came in the 1970s with the establishment of the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).

Early 1990s - Emergence of New Casinos
Several established casinos first opened in the province, including Casino Edmonton and Casino Calgary. While poker wasn't initially included in their offerings, both later did add poker rooms to their facilities.

2003 - Moneymaker Effect
Chris Moneymaker's 2003 WSOP Main Event win catalyzed a poker boom that was especially felt in North America and Canada. For the next few years, the game of poker would see exponential growth. Live poker rooms and tournaments became more frequent in Alberta as a result.

2020 - PlayAlberta Launches
With live poker being stunted by a global pandemic, the province launched its first online gaming site - PlayAlberta.ca. However, at the time no poker was added and only slots and lottery were available to play.

2022 - Ontario Lead the Way
Alberta follows in the footsteps of Ontario, becoming the second province in Canada to launch a regulated market. Ontario set the precedence, initially establishing a legal and regulated online gambling market back in 2022.

Since then, the gaming market in the province has gone from strength to strength, with many of the larger operators opting to launch Ontario-specific platforms for casino games, slots, and poker. When it comes to online casinos, these include BetMGM Casino, PokerStars Casino, and JackpotCity Casino.

Regulation is provided by bodies like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission which issues licenses to operators for a variety of gambling products.

May 2025 - iGaming Alberta Act Passed
Alberta passes Bill 48 (iGaming Alberta Act), which sets in place the legal framework for regulated online gambling products to enter the province, including poker.

July 13, 2026 - Alberta Launches iGaming Market
Alberta officially launches its iGaming market, allowing operators to offer online poker, casino and sports betting in the region.

Future - Shared Liquidity
All eyes now turn to whether or not shared liquidity will be allowed between Alberta and Ontario. If so, it will lead to a more enticing proposition for operators to enter the AB province.

Alberta Poker FAQs

Connor Richards is a Senior Editor U.S. for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for three Global Poker Awards for his writing.

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