Alberta's online gambling & casino law: a history

Alberta's motto is 'Strong and Free', and that's a pretty good summary of the Canadian province's attitude to online gambling. As well as many great First Nations land-based gambling joints, residents are free to play at the best online casino sites around.

As early as the 1920s, organized gambling in the form of church bingo and horse racing betting was recorded in Alberta. Slowly over the next few decades, lotteries, sweepstakes, and gaming machines started to appear throughout the province, as did temporary casino exhibitions at summer fairs.

In the 1980s, permanent charitable casinos began to be established, including Calgary's Cash Casino in 1980 and Edmonton's Casino ABS in 1981. By 1995, eleven casinos had opened in the province, slowly transforming into the luxury getaways we know most of them to be today. Today, there are 27 land casinos spread throughout Alberta, including six each in Edmonton and Calgary proper.

Around the turn of the century, Canada online casinos came into the public eye and slowly began to grow in popularity. As Alberta's land casinos continue to prosper, so too have the many online casinos that accept CAD. T

What you should look for in a top Alberta casino

When playing at a casino online, Alberta roulette and blackjack fans should be able to get to their favourite real money games super-quick. That's why our recommended internet gambling websites feature the slickest software, so you can get to the action fast.

And if you're out and about at Banff or on the road, you may want to find a great mobile Alberta casino that lets you play anywhere.

While the big casino Alberta establishments offer fun and entertainment, you might have to bet at higher minimums than those you'll find at an online casino Alberta residents have access to.

And if you are playing at one of our recommended casino online Alberta websites, make sure the site offers good customer support for Canadian players. We make sure all our shortlisted sites offer 24/7 customer support to help with your every need.

Mobile and app gambling in Alberta

Most sites in Alberta offer mobile casino gaming online as standard. You should be able to play at real money mobile casinos using the browser on most iOS, Android, and tablet devices. Modern games tend to be optimized for mobile play and can adapt to whatever screen size you're playing on, making it easy to gamble on the go.

Some online casinos will also offer a dedicated casino app which can offer a more flexible and personalized gaming experience. However, most online casinos in Alberta are built using HTML5 technology, which means the casinos can be accessed through a mobile browser too. Rest assured, every casino in our shortlist is fully optimized for mobile online gambling.

How we review the best casinos in Alberta

Finding a great online casino in Alberta doesn't have to be difficult. We carefully review every gaming site using comprehensive criteria before adding it to our shortlist. Below is a snapshot of how we rate the best casinos in Alberta.

• Range of games: We look for a wide range of online casino games. Players should be able to play the best online slots, jackpot slots, roulette, blackjack, online poker, and live dealer games as standard. Bonus points go to the online casinos that offer sports betting too.
• Welcome bonus: All top Alberta online casinos will offer a welcome bonus. Our recommended sites all have generous deposit match offers of up to 200%. We also look through the T&Cs to make sure the offer is fair and the wagering requirements are reasonable.
• Fully licensed: When it comes to gambling online, you need to play at a safe and secure site. We'll only ever recommend online casinos that are fully licensed by reputable authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) or UK Gambling Commission.
• Mobile gaming: We only recommend Alberta online casinos that are fully mobile-compatible. We look for casino sites that work on iOS, Android, and tablet devices. Extra points go to the casinos with dedicated casino apps!
• Fast payouts: The best online gambling sites will give you your winnings as fast as possible. We recommend casinos in Alberta with a range of payment methods and super speedy withdrawal speeds.
• Security: Everybody wants a secure experience when gambling online. We check that each casino site is safe and legitimate to play at. This includes checking if the site has SSL encryption and how it protects its player's data.

Play online lottery in Alberta

Alberta residents have various lottery options to try their luck. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC) oversees lottery operations in the province. People can participate in popular national lotteries like Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49, offering substantial jackpots.

On top of that, there are regional draws such as Western Max and Western 649, offering sizable prizes. Both online platforms and physical retailers across Alberta provide convenient access to these lottery games. Online options include official websites and authorized third-party platforms, ensuring accessibility for players who prefer virtual participation.

Alternatively, individuals can purchase tickets in person from numerous authorized retailers throughout the province, adding to the convenience and accessibility of playing the lottery in Alberta.

• Welcome bonus

  Nearly every AB casino will offer a welcome bonus to new players. This is where a casino rewards a player for signing up by matching their first deposit in bet credits. This can be a deposit match of up to 100%, though some top Alberta casinos will offer an up to 200% deposit match. Though these offers can be generous, just remember that any promotion will come with T&Cs and wagering requirements to look out for.

• Free spins

  Free spins are where a casino gives a player a free spin on a certain slot game. This bonus is usually part of a welcome package or appears as a loyalty reward for existing players. The slot game is often selected by the casino though you can sometimes have a choice of games to pick from.

• No deposit bonus

  No deposit bonuses are a highly sought-after casino promotion. Players will receive a free bet credit, usually up to $5, simply for signing up with the casino. However, to withdraw your winnings, you may need to make a deposit or wager a certain amount. Most Alberta online casinos will offer a no deposit bonus from time to time.