bet365 enters Alberta as July launch takes shape
- bet365 has been added to the AGLC registry, positioning it as a day-one operator for Alberta’s regulated iGaming launch on July 13.
- The British operator has served Alberta players through the grey market for years and already operates in Ontario’s regulated market.
- There are now 31 operators registered with the AGLC, with Alberta’s minister saying as many as 70 could ultimately enter the market.
bet365 has been added to the AGLC registry, positioning it as a day-one operator for Alberta’s regulated iGaming launch on July 13.
The British operator has long served Alberta players through the grey market and already operates in Ontario’s regulated market. Alberta will be its second Canadian province.
Grey to regulated
bet365 has been accessible to Alberta players for years without a provincial licence, operating alongside other offshore platforms. Earlier this year, the AGLC issued warnings to grey market operators, including bet365, directing them to register or face permanent exclusion.
Completing registration ahead of the July 13 deadline secures its place as a confirmed day-one operator. The Alberta entry follows recent US expansion. bet365 launched in Michigan last month, making it its 17th American jurisdiction.
Competitive field grows
To operate under Alberta’s regulatory regime, companies must first register with the AGLC, which provides market oversight. Registered operators then enter into a commercial agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC), which oversees anti-money laundering compliance, public complaints, and financial reporting.
The registry now stands at 31 operators, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Rush Street, Hard Rock Bet, and Caesars. The AGLC has also approved 35 gaming providers and 11 suppliers ahead of launch. BetVictor was also added to the registry this week.
Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, told delegates at SBC Summit Canada in Toronto last week that the market could ultimately grow to 70 platforms. He said:
“Reality is simple: Albertans are already gambling online. The question was never whether online gambling existed. The question was whether it would happen in a regulated environment with strong standards, clear oversight, and meaningful player protections. We believe Alberta has entered this market with significant advantages.
“We have one of the strongest economies in North America. We have a business environment that understands competition, innovation, as well as investment, and we have a government that believes clear rules and smart regulation create the conditions for growth.”
Ontario’s model
Alberta’s regulatory framework was developed using Ontario’s structure as a template, with the AGLC providing oversight and a separate commercial body managing operator relationships. bet365 entered Ontario in 2022, the year that province’s regulated market launched, and has maintained a consistent presence there.
Reports have also emerged that the government-run Play Alberta platform could be put up for sale. In Ontario, the provincial lottery operator Proline competes alongside 44 licensed private operators.
With fewer than seven weeks until the July 13 launch, the operator lineup is taking shape rapidly. The AGLC registry stood at 28 as recently as May 11, indicating registrations have accelerated.
The main question for regulators and investors is whether Alberta’s open model can channel enough grey market volume into the regulated framework to match the scale Ontario has delivered since its 2022 launch.
bet365 in expansion mode
The Alberta registration is one of several moves bet365 has made in quick succession. The operator launched its sportsbook in France this week under an ANJ sports betting licence issued on 16 April 2026, with plans to add online poker and horse racing.
It also launched its sportsbook and casino in Michigan in April, following approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Separately, bet365 ended credit card deposits across all US markets on 13 April, requiring users to fund accounts via debit card or Apple Pay.
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