Alberta starts retail sports betting licensing process

Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis will limit the Alberta market to two private sportsbook operators.

Canada.- Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC) has started its process to award retail sports betting licences in the Canadian province of Alberta. The regulator will allow two private sportsbook operators, at least initially, but will consider additional opportunities as the market continues to develop.

It’s contemplating retail and online sports betting options, with mobile extensions, to launch in 2022. The proposal process for vendors will close on January 31, with the successful entities to be announced once awarded.

President and CEO of the AGLC, Kandice Machado said: “By opening retail sports betting up to two proponents now, AGLC is able to bring this service to sports fans in Alberta earlier in 2022. If AGLC were to open the market up to all vendors, the process required to bring the service to Albertans would be significantly delayed.”

The AGLC has already held preliminary talks with the four professional sports teams in the province about potentially setting up sportsbooks in their respective venues. The teams that have been contacted are Calgary Flames, Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Oilers, and Edmonton Elks.

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