Alberta Gambling Laws

We will discuss the legal and illegal gambling activities in the province, as well as the legal Alberta gambling age. Finally, we will give you a few suggestions about the top brick-and-mortar casinos you can try in the Canadian province. Let’s start with a brief overview of the history of gambling laws in Alberta.

History of Gambling Laws in Alberta

Alberta has a long relationship with gambling. Initially, it started on a more negative note, with most forms of gambling being illegal. Things began to change at the beginning of the 20th century when Canada’s Criminal Code legalized pari-mutuel betting on horse and dog racing, as well as charitable gambling.

The revised 1970 Criminal Code allowed Canadian provinces to choose whether or not to allow other gambling activities and capitalize on them. Since then, Alberta has adopted a charitable gaming model of regulation. All legal gambling activities in the province are governed by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) and the Alberta government.

As per the information on the AGLC’s website, the revenue from gaming, liquor, and cannabis in Alberta has been used to fund over 8000 Alberta charities. We are talking about more than $40 billion in the last 20 years. Among the charity organisations receiving support from the AGLC are Voices of Albertans with Disabilities, Special Olympics Alberta, and Hope Haven.

Legal and Illegal Gambling Activities in Alberta, Canada

So, we have already established that most gambling activities are legal under Alberta gambling laws. Residents and visitors of the province can enjoy slots, sports betting, horse racing, online gambling, lottery games, and more. Here is a brief summary of Alberta gambling activities and their corresponding legal status:

Alberta is home to over 20 land-based casinos, including First Nations and non-reservation ones. Single-game sports betting became legal in 2021. Albertans can now wager at the only locally regulated gambling site – PlayAlberta.ca. We expect to see many other sportsbooks appear for players from the province very soon.

The same way that there is a variety of choices when it comes to the best online casinos in Alberta. You can also bet in person at any retailer taking Sport Select bets. If you like horse racing, then there are a few high-quality Alberta racetracks you should check out.

Alberta Laws on Gambling at Land-Based Casinos

If you prefer the thrill of real casinos, then Alberta has got you covered. According to the gambling laws in Alberta, casinos are entirely legal. The Canadian province hosts five First Nation casinos, as well as over 15 non-reservation gambling venues. Here are the recommended Alberta casinos you should visit:

As you can see, these operators provide access to various casino games. You can enjoy popular slot machines, as well as video lottery games. Free Bet Blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold’Em Progressive Jackpot, and Chase the Flush are just a few of the table games available for Albertan players and completely legal under the Alberta gambling laws.

Online Gambling Laws in Alberta

The online gambling laws in Alberta allow for internet casino gaming. As of writing this article, there is only one locally regulated online casino for Albertan players. This is the Play Alberta website. You will not be disappointed, though. The site provides access to various casino games and gambling products.

You can choose between more than 130 of the most popular slots like Big City 5’s and Cleopatra by IGT, and 7s Wild by Amatic. There is an excellent selection of 20 table games, including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker. Play Alberta provides access to a live casino powered by Evolution.

In addition, you can enjoy lottery and instant win games. The sports betting section on the site allows you to place your wagers on your favourite sports, including basketball, hockey, football, tennis, etc. There are also popular sports events like the NFL and the NBA. The quality is very similar to that of the best sports betting sites in Canada.

If you are looking for diversity and want to try another operator, then you are free to do that. Alberta players have access to some of the top Canadian online casinos. Your number one priority before choosing any site is, and we cannot stress this enough, safety. Make sure that the casino holds a valid gambling license from an official regulator like the Malta Gaming Authority, for example. Ultimately, this means that it adheres to the latest industry standards.

Legal Gambling Age in Alberta

Now, this is also very important. After all, you would not want to get in any trouble, right? Most Canadian provinces have a legal gambling age of 19 for casino gaming. However, the legal gambling age in Alberta is 18. The same applies for two other provinces – Manitoba and Quebec. The legal age for playing lottery games in Alberta is 18. In British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, this is 19.

Alberta Gambling Laws Conclusion

Alberta gambling laws are extremely liberal. Albertans can play pretty much everything they can think of. Whether this is slots, roulette, blackjack, poker, or sports betting – these are all legal in the Canadian province. You have access to many online and land-based gambling venues. All of them promise an excellent gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

You have reached the end of our article about the latest gambling laws in Alberta. Now, you should know which gambling activities are legal in the state in case you live there or are simply visiting. If you have any outstanding questions, have a look at our short FAQ section below.