A Guide to Gambling In Alberta

Located in the Western regions of Canada with the stunning Canadian Rockies in its background, Alberta is known for its beautiful landscapes, many lakes, and glaciers. Among its 4 million residents, it’s also a significant player in gambling.

Gambling in Canada was legalized in 1970 at a federal level when Canada decided to give the Canadian provinces the ability to enforce gambling laws. It would take over a decade for Canada to legalize sports betting in 1985 with a restriction that single-game betting was not allowed.

Shortly after that, Manitoba, two provinces to the east of Alberta, opened its first commercial land-based casino in 1989, paving the way for other provinces to follow suit.

While Alberta opened a privately-owned charitable casino in 1980 called Calgary’s Cash Casino, it wasn’t until 1986 that the first commercially-owned casino was opened called the Casino ABS South. Now called Casino Edmonton, it is one largest casinos in the region and known for its excellent customer service.

Alberta now features 24 land-based casinos for its residents to find endless opportunities to win cash at slot machines, poker machines known as pokies, or table games. Many of the casinos are First Nation operated on tribal reservations for endless entertainment for those over 18.

Online Gambling

With over 70% of Canadians participating in some form of gambling, it’s no wonder that online gambling took off when it was legalized in 1994. While it’s illegal to have an online casino in Alberta, Canada, the government does not block its citizens from participating in online casino entertainment offshore.

2021 saw an even more significant increase in online gambling when single-betting on sports was legalized throughout Canada. The enticement to gamble right at home has sparked interest in many customers, mainly when offshore casinos accept the Canadian dollar for deposits.

Alberta Online Casino Requirements

Now that you have found the jewel that is online gambling, there are several things to consider before playing.

Licensed Casinos Only

Since online casinos are overseas, it’s essential to make sure they are licensed and regulated through a government agency like the Malta Gaming Authority or similar. This license means the online casino abides by laws and regulations to include fair play for its customers. RTP (return to player) percentages and random number generators are imperative to reduce the risk of being cheated out of money at an online casino.

Licensed casinos are regularly tested via organizations like the eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance). Once audited, they are awarded a certification for proving their games are random, and winnings aren’t fixed in any way.

Game Variety

Another Alberta casino requirement is finding an online casino that features an array of games like poker, blackjack, baccarat, slots, and more to keep everyone entertained. Not only that, gaming providers like NetEnt, BetSoft, Playtech, and Play’N Go provide excellent software to ensure games are glitch-free and fast-paced.

Bonuses, Free Spins, Rewards, Oh My!

Online casino players in Alberta receive features that land-based players don’t. Things like bonus offers for deposits, free spins, welcome bonuses, gifts, and more are all part of online gambling platforms. Those types of bonuses are harder to find at land-based casinos. Whatever online casino you choose, ensure it offers excellent bonus offers so you can capitalize on winnings on the house’s dime.

Some casinos offer loyalty programs or VIP offers. They reward you for your ongoing play at their casino. Not all casinos offer these types of programs for high rollers. Sometimes you can join the loyalty program as soon as you enter the casino. They track your progress and reward you as you go.

Mobile-Friendly

A mobile-friendly casino means you can access games and play from anywhere. Some online casinos don’t require extra downloading software or an app. Many of them allow you to play on a mobile device with your website browser. Once you ensure your device is compatible with your favourite casino, it’s time to start gambling. Any device, from smartphones to tablets, is compatible with online casinos.