Your Guide to Alberta Gambling in 2024

Alberta is home to a number of land-based casinos and has been for some time now. In fact their controlling authority (Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission) was created back in 1996 - this shows you how far back our Canadian love of gambling goes.

When it comes to casino online gambling, this is the agency to look to, both now and in the future. For now, however, this page is where you want to be for all the need to know information on offline and online casino gambling. We've got the following, and more, covered right here:

  • How gambling was introduced in Alberta
  • What are the rules & regulations of online gambling here
  • What casinos you can visit when in the province
Quick Facts
  • More than 3/4th of Albertans are happy with how legal gambling is conducted
  • Provincial gaming entails slot machines, Video Lottery Terminals, electronic bingo, and tickets.
  • Scratch ‘n Win raffles and tickets are among the most common lottery tickets in Alberta
BEST CANADIAN ONLINE CASINOS

The Origins of Chance Games in Alberta

Alberta's gambling history began in 1967 when the first charitable casino had its grand opening ceremony at the Edmonton Annual Fair. Just a decade later, a casino was built in Calgary in 1980. From 1980 till now, there has been a proliferation of land-based casinos in the province. Alberta is proudly home to quite a few casinos that are governed by the provincial government. As far as playing casino games online is concerned, the province currently has not stepped into the realm of online gambling. However, there are numerous offshore companies that cater to Albertans and while they're not locally governed, the ones on our website are fully licenced by international gambling commissions.

Alberta Gambling Today

There are over 2,565 retailers of ticket lotteries in Alberta alone, giving you plenty of opportunity to get involved.

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is a hub for licencing and regulating numerous interactive gaming sites, with some approved casinos operating within Canada.

As of 2011, there were 29 licenced bingo facilities in the province and 24 charitable casino establishments. There is also a selection of non-casino based Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) spread across the province. The operation of horse racing facilities is carried out by non-profits and HRA (Horse Racing Alberta). Lastly, ticket lotteries, for which there are more than 2,565 retailers, are conducted, regulated, and managed by Western Canada Lottery Corporation and AGLC. Lottery retailers and the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation operate lottery tickets.

Popular Alberta Casinos

River Cree Resort and Casino

River Cree Resort and Casino

Open since 2006, The River Cree Resort and Casino has provided the ultimate entertainment for Canadian players who want to sit in the lap of luxury. Open 10am - 3am daily, with a luxury resort, a fantastic casino, and an expansive hockey center, this casino lets you game on over a thousand slot machines and 40 tables. You can also enjoy off-track betting, fine cuisine, and the high stakes poker room. If you’re planning a trip you can stay at the Edmonton Marriott at River Cree, with around 250 rooms.

Century Casino Edmonton

Century Casino Edmonton

  • 13103 Fort Road
    Edmonton, Alberta, T5A 1C3
  • +1-780-643-4000
  • www.cnty.com

With 34 table games, including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, Texas Hold'em, and craps, the Century Casino Edmonton is ideal for all players. The casino’s opening hours are 9:30am - 3am every day. If table games aren’t your thing, indulge in huge 777 slot machines, with more than 160 of them being penny slots. Poker players can enjoy weekly Hold’em tournaments each Thursday & Sunday. If you feel like carrying the party on till tomorrow, stay at the Century Hotel.

Grey Eagle and Resort Casino

Grey Eagle and Resort Casino

Among Calgary’s more preferred entertainment destinations, the Grey Eagle and Resort Casino is an exquisite establishment that has a local and regional following. You can spin the slots from 10am - 3am and table games are also available. The poker room however, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The casino floor is sprawled out over 84,000 sq ft and hosts over 40 table games, along with 867 slot machines. The 4-star hotel with its modern layout and fixtures is just minutes from the first class shopping district.

Gambling in Popular Cities

Calgary

Calgary houses several land-based casinos that you can check out for a great night out with friends. These gambling facilities are equipped with the best gaming machines, dining and entertainment options, interesting events as well as ample lodging. Gambling at land-based casinos and online gambling are generally legal in Calgary.

At the shores of the Glenmore Reservoir is Grey Eagle Casino covering 84,000 square feet of pure entertainment. With more than forty table games and 860+ slot machines, Grey Eagle appeals to all types gamblers. You'll also find a dedicated poker room open round the clock. Another famous casino is at 12th Avenue called Cowboys Casino, which has 96,000 square feet of gaming facility covering more than 350 slots & 30 table games. This premier high limit gaming destination has been voted by FFWD Magazine for 5 years as Calgary’s 'Best Place to Gamble'.

Other casinos in Calgary are Century Casino, Casino Calgary, Elbow Casino, Stampede Casino, Cash Casino, and Century Downs Racetrack and Casino.

Edmonton

Canada's 'Festival City' and the capital of Alberta, Edmonton has seen a rapid growth in gambling venues over the years. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission regulates casinos in Edmonton, which are not only rich in quality casino, but also offer luxury accommodations, fine dining, and incredible entertainment. Among the nine casinos in Edmonton, the popular casinos of high repute include Casino Edmonton, River Cree Resort and Casino, and Starlight Casino.

To the south of Edmonton is a slot lover's paradise. Casino Edmonton has around 850 slot machines covering fruit machines, video slots, 3D slots, and progressive jackpot slots, a dedicated poker room, VIP lounge for high rollers, and around 25 live dealer table games. Loyal players receive gift cards, complementary drinks and tickets to sporting events in the city.

Other casinos in Edmonton are Century Casino, Northlands Park Racetrack and Casino, Grand Villa Casino, Casino Yellowhead Pure Connect, and Baccarat Casino.

The Ultimate Gaming Experience

Gaming Experience

Despite the fact that there are no registered Alberta online casino sites, there are lots of off-shore operations that are willing to give you exactly what you're looking for. Countless fellow Canadian players login to these every day with no issue, and many of the best options even let you use Canadian Dollars as a playable currency!

As an online player, you can check out any of the top sites listed here at CasinoOnline.ca to find one that works for you. Whether you want to play for real money or for free, these casinos are ready and waiting for you to play their best games from the comfort of your home.

Enjoy online casino play in Alberta today!

FAQ

Alberta is among the provinces that allow 18 year olds and over to gamble at any local casino. The other provinces are Manitoba and Quebec. Land based and online gambling are both illegal for minors.
Just like in the rest of Canada, the local government has jurisdiction over local gambling establishments. The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) regulates all land based casinos in the province. From Jackpot Casino to Casino Lethbridge and from Eagle River Casino to Cowboys Casino, all facilities are regulated by the local government and must adhere to its strict regulations in order to operate.
Taxation on casino winnings can be complicated in some instances. However, as a general rule of thumb, if you have a job from which you already earn income, your winnings will not be taxable. But if you gamble professionally or it is your only source of income, then your winnings will be taxed by the government.
As other provinces move forward with plans to bring online gambling to the masses, it's likely that Alberta will follow suit. Millions of dollars are spent in online casinos every year and each province is watching their land-based revenue dwindle because of it. Once government sanctioned sites can begin to run and recover this lost revenue, Alberta's online casino players can rest assured that they can gamble legally.
Since the AGLC does not regulate any Alberta casino online sites, you have to tread carefully when spending your hard earned money at a casino site. We recommend that you only play at licenced casino sites that have the stamp of approval from gambling authorities such as eCOGRA. While eCOGRA is not a local entity, it is trusted the world over for auditing and evaluating casino sites, only approving those which follow a strict code of conduct.