Betway Launches In Alberta’s Regulated iGaming Market

Betway has launched in Alberta’s regulated iGaming market, joining a growing number of licensed online betting and casino brands operating in the province.

The Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) confirmed the launch this week, bringing Betway into the regulated market that opened on 13 July.

Betway previously operated in Alberta outside the province’s regulated framework and has now joined more than 30 licensed sports betting and online casino sites.

Alberta becomes Betway’s second provincially regulated market in Canada after Ontario, where the operator transitioned into the regulated framework following its launch in 2022.

Golden Tiger Casino and Powerplay have also launched in Alberta during the final week of September. Golden Tiger is the first of seven Apollo Entertainment brands registered in the province to begin operations.

Super Group Transitions Brands In Alberta

Betway parent company Super Group has registered five brands for Alberta’s regulated market: Betway, Jackpot City, Royal Vegas, Ruby Fortune and Spin.

All five brands also operate in Ontario’s regulated iGaming market.

Super Group has been transitioning its Alberta operations into the regulated framework in recent weeks, with Royal Vegas and Ruby Fortune making the switch before Betway.

Jackpot City and Spin are also registered in Alberta but had yet to complete their transitions at the time of reporting.

October Deadline Approaches

The latest launches come ahead of a 13 October deadline for operators that were already active in Alberta before the regulated market opened.

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) required existing operators to end unregulated activity and either transition into the licensed market or withdraw from the province.

A three-month grace period was available on a case-by-case basis following the market’s launch on 13 July.

Several operators have already completed the transition, including bet365 and Entain-owned Sports Interaction.

Around 20 sites launched when Alberta’s market opened in July, with the total subsequently increasing to more than 30. Additional brands have also registered with the regulator ahead of potential launches.

These include Bet99 and Stake, which were both available in Alberta before the introduction of the regulated framework.

Alberta Expects Further Operator Launches

Dave Berry, chief regulatory officer and executive vice-president at AGLC, said he expects a “second wave” of registered iGaming sites to launch over the coming weeks as the 13 October deadline approaches.

Alberta’s Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, Dale Nally, previously said the province could eventually have as many as 70 licensed operator sites. Berry has also cited the same figure as an expectation for the market.

However, not every operator previously active in Alberta is expected to transition into the regulated framework. Berry said more than one operator had informed AGLC that it would leave the province rather than seek registration.

Following the launches of Betway, Golden Tiger and Powerplay, AiGC lists 34 active licensed iGaming sites in Alberta, with some operated by the same company.

By comparison, Ontario’s regulated market currently has 49 commercial operators running 84 sites.