button in Safari888 Poker Becomes First to Launch Regulated Online Poker in Alberta
888 Poker has become the first operator to launch regulated online poker in Alberta, Canada, catching both players and the poker industry off guard.
Alberta looked set to face an online poker blackout following the end of a three-month grace period that allowed offshore operators to continue serving Albertans while working with the regulator to bring their operations under license.
However, despite expressing “excitement” at the prospect of entering Alberta's regulated market back in July, expectations were that 888's poker launch would depend on whether shared liquidity with Ontario would be permitted. That has yet to happen, making the decision to launch with an isolated player pool a surprise, albeit one likely to be welcomed by players in Alberta.
That said, it's not the first time 888 has broken new ground in Canada's provincial markets, as the online poker giant was also the first to launch online poker in Ontario back in 2022, and has now repeated the trick in 2026.
888 Poker went live in Alberta on October 13, operating under its own segregated player pool, alongside 888 Casino, which offers slots, roulette, blackjack, and other casino games.
What Can Alberta Poker Players Expect?
The new platform gives Alberta players access to a dedicated poker pool, meaning they will compete exclusively against other players in the province rather than those in Ontario or 888's international player pool.
Happily, the initial offering includes both Hold'em and Omaha cash games, while players can also find Mystery Bounty and knockout formats among the tournament options, giving the site a mix of traditional poker games and bounty-focused events.
Following in the Footsteps of Ontario...
888 first entered Canada's regulated online poker market in Ontario in April 2022, launching its poker, casino, and sports betting brands as the province opened its doors to licensed operators.
The launch marked a significant step for the company in Canada, and 888 continues to operate in Ontario to this day, more than four years later.
888 has framed the launch as a commitment to serving Alberta players within the province's regulatory framework. It remains to be seen how the market develops further now that the first operator is live.
