Even though Alberta is a densely populated province with 4 million inhabitants, it approaches the gambling regulation in a fairly democratic way. Any local player can bet online on sports events or enjoy virtual casino gameplay without worrying about any regulatory laws.
The province also has several entertainment options for risky individuals when it comes to land-based gambling. Locals and Alberta’s guests can visit casinos, participate in huge lottery draws, test their luck at various bingo halls or select their favourites in exciting horse races.
The provincial government is the main regulatory body that monitors gambling establishments and makes sure that these casinos return as much money to the community as possible.
What Sports Bets Can Alberta Residents Make?
In addition to several sports betting options, the province pleases gamblers with captivating betting games like Point-Spread or PRO-LINE. These projects accept entries at numerous land-based lottery venues that you can also visit online. Besides these games, the province can offer you various popular betting sites, including one licensed in Canada and many offshore online platforms.
SportsInteraction is one of the most respected Canadian websites. Its monitoring body is a Canadian jurisdiction that has implemented certain restrictions on some common bets. For example, if you enjoy making head-to-head bets, SportsInteraction may disappoint you as it prevents gamblers from placing these bets. Moreover, this site offers less favourable odds compared to offshore platforms, so many Canadian players prefer to track the sporting events there.
Given that Canada has the most powerful hockey league in the world, the NHL is the most popular betting option among Albertans. Also, many people place bets on NBA matches. The country has one team representing the most famous basketball league in the world, the Toronto Raptors, and it won its first league title in 2019. This achievement popularized basketball throughout Canada greatly, and many Alberta residents began betting on NBA events more often. In addition to this, Canadians from this province love to guess the American football matches’ winners.
Alberta’s Land-Based Casinos
The province has enormous potential in terms of land-based gambling establishments. It invites players to visit over 20 high-quality casinos. What sets Alberta apart from other Canadian provinces that offer government-operated gambling venues to people is the fact that private owners operate these venues. But at the same time, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) controls even private establishments, so you do not have to worry about the gaming results’ fairness.
The most visited and famous casino in the province is the River Cree Resort and Casino. It offers its guests a lot of entertainment options thanks to more than 1000 slot machines and 40 tables for games with dealers. Apart from this, River Cree allows its clients to place bets on horse racing events.
The province’s slot gameplay variability can impress even the most sophisticated gamblers. Plus, if you prefer to play hoping to land some life-changing winning combination, one of the most recognizable progressive games in the province, Diamond Millions, will certainly delight you with its jackpot record.
The thing is that this slot machine has been actively cultivating millionaires among Canadians and Alberta residents in particular for more than 9 years. Overall, it has shocked 14 lucky ones with its jackpots, and 12 of them live in the province. For example, the slot’s maximum winnings almost reached $1.8 million in 2015, when a woman passing by decided to try her luck and won.
Bingo establishments are also one of the province’s most significant entertainment advantages. Alberta has over 20 such venues, and some of them are non-profit organizations.
How Does the Province Approach Online Casinos?
Canadian law does not have severe restrictions for online casinos. This approach allows the province’s residents to register at offshore gambling establishments and gamble without worrying about potential negative consequences. They can use any casino ranking, analyze the available sites’ strengths and weaknesses and choose an online operator offering the most favourable gameplay conditions. On the other hand, residents can also follow trends and open an account on reputable, popular sites like JackpotCity Casino, 888 Casino or Bob Casino.
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission have already launched an initiative to launch a state-operated online operator that would provide residents with an alternative to offshore sites. This happened in 2019, and the government has not responded to this request until these days. Even if it approves the initiative and Alberta gets a state-regulated online casino, this site is unlikely to be able to compete with offshore operators due to possible restrictions.
The mentioned above and other gambling establishments recognized among the provincial residents offer clients a full range of gambling entertainment. Hundreds of themed slots, immersive table games with professional live dealers, variable bingo games and lottery projects will help you relax and get a solid portion of adrenaline-pumping impressions. You can try the proven hit slots like Hot Shot, Cleopatra and Phoenix Forge to get such a memorable experience.
What Races Can You Attend in Alberta?
The province residents admire horse racing, and Horse Racing Alberta is the main regulator for these events. The local government formed this supervision organization and legalized the Racing Corporation Act in 1996. The province offers this spectacular sport’s fans 5 picturesque locations that hold horse races regularly.
- Northlands. This thoroughbred horse racing track invites visitors from May to August. If you want to take a break from your daily routine on Friday or Saturday, this is the perfect place for you.
- Century Downs. Most residents describe this place as the most impressive racetrack in Alberta. It specializes in standardbred horse racing and hosts visitors on weekends. Like the previous racetrack, Century Downs runs a few months a year only – standardbred races run from May to August. As for the rarer thoroughbred events, you can watch them in the fall’s first two months.
- Millarville Club. This aristocratic establishment has been hosting various events for over 115 years. Many bettors know about the legendary Millarville Races and come here every year to witness this racing battle and win some money.
- Rocky Mountain Turf Club. This club holds the record for horse racing. It offers visitors 259 race days a year and attracts over $1,2 million Canadian viewers. Given this frequency of events, the club generates huge revenues and significant benefits to the provincial community.
- Evergreen Park. Although this park specializes in a variety of activities, its horse racing track is one of the best in Canada. This racetrack can host more than 2500 spectators, who can place bets on the races and visit the land-based entertainment facility Wild Horse Casino & Lounge.
Gambling Legislation in Alberta
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission is the main monitoring body that began overseeing all of the province’s gambling initiatives in 1995. It prohibits Alberta residents Alberta from opening land-based gambling establishments or online casinos without a license. On the other hand, if you want to place bets on sites licensed in foreign jurisdictions like MGA, the commission does not limit you in this regard.
The province supports many initiatives regarding responsible gambling and even opened the Alberta Gaming Research Institute to help the government make more informed gambling-related decisions.
How Does Alberta Regulate Lotteries?
The Western Canada Lottery Corporation is responsible for lottery activities in Alberta and several other Canadian provinces. This non-profit establishment has been operating on the market since 1974. It runs lottery draws every week and manages several sports betting game projects in partnership with the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation.
Land-Based Gambling Establishments
Century Downs Racetrack & Casino
Address: 260 Century Downs Drive, Rocky View No.44, AB T4A 0V5, Canada
Phone: +1 587-349-7777
Five Star Bingo & Pub
Address: 4980 25th Street SE, Calgary AB T2B-3M3, Canada
Phone: +1 403-235-3318
Fort road bingo
Address: 13403 Fort Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T5A 1C6, Canada
Phone: +1 780-475-3247
Aces lounge
Address: 341 9 St E, Brooks, AB T1R 1K6, Canada
Phone: +1 403-362-8711
Baccarat Casino
Address: 10128 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 4Y8, Canada
Phone: +1 780-413-3178
Grand Villa Edmonton Casino
Address: 10204 104 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 0H6, Canada
Phone: +1 780-413-3178
Great northern casino
Address: 10910 107 Ave, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 7R2, Canada
Phone: +1 780-539-4454
Bingo barn
Address: 1107 33 St NE # 10, Calgary, AB T2A 6T2, Canada
Phone: +1 403-273-7393
Bingo palace
Address: 2604 35 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 6M2, Canada
Phone: +1 403-291-0973
Gray Eagle Resort & Casino
Address: 3777 Gray Eagle Dr, Calgary, AB T3E 3X8, Canada
Phone: +1 403-385-3777
Jackpot Casino Red Deer
Address: 4950 47 Ave, Red Deer, AB T4N 6P8, Canada
Phone: +1 403-342-5825
Black Diamond Bar & Hotel
Address: 105 Ave Ctr SW, Black Diamond, AB T0L 0H0, Canada
Phone: +1 403-933-4656
Boomtown Casino, Alberta
Address: 9825 Hardin St, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4G9, Canada
Phone: +1 780-790-9739
Kensington bingo hall
Address: 12538 132 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5L 3P9, Canada
Phone: +1 780-454-3635
Leduc Rapid Bingo
Address: 5904 50 St, Leduc, AB T9E 0R6, Canada
Phone: +1 780-986-1905
Bullys Casino at Rocky Mountain Turf Club
Address: 3401 Parkside Drive South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4R3, Canada
Phone: +1 403-380-1905
Caesars bingo
Address: 8882 170 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5T 4J2, Canada
Phone: +1 780-444-3456
Millarville race track
Address: 306 097 192 Street, Millarville, AB T0L 1K0, Canada
Phone: +1 403-931-2404
Camrose Resort & Casino
Address: 3201 48 Ave, Camrose, AB T4V 0K9, Canada
Phone: +1 780-679-2376
Cash Casino – Calgary
Address: 6350 67 St, Red Deer, Alberta T4P 3L7, Canada
Phone: +1 403-346-3339
Northlands Park Racetrack & Casino
Address: 7410 Borden Park Rd NW, Edmonton, AB T5B 4W9, Canada
Phone: +1 780-471-8174
Palace Casino Edmonton
Address: 8882 170 St Northwest 2710-2716, Edmonton, AB T5T 3J7, Canada
Phone: +1 780-444-2112
Parkway bingo
Address: 8775 51 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 5H1, Canada
Phone: +1 780-466-3541
Casino by Vanshaw
Address: 1051 Ross Glen Dr. SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 3T8, Canada
Phone: +1 403-504-4584
Pines Restaurant & Casino at Evergreen Park
Address: 55051 Township Rd, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 3A5
Phone: +1 780-532-3265
Red Deer Bingo Center
Address: 4946 53 Ave, Red Deer, AB T4N 5J9, Canada
Phone: +1 403-347-4504
Eagle River Casino & Travel Plaza
Address: Corner of HWY 43 & 32N, Whitecourt, AB T7S 1N3, Canada
Phone: +1 780-779-2727
Elbow River Casino
Address: 218 18 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1L1, Canada
Phone: +1 403-289-8880
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