Sports betting in Canada has its limitations, and although Ontario often takes the spotlight, there’s a diverse range of betting options for Alberta bettors as well. And we’re not just talking about Sport Select, a product of the Western Canada Lottery Corporation and PlayAlberta, but also eight other reliable sports betting sites.
Ever since the passing of Bill C-218 in 2021, Alberta sports bettors have more choices than ever, including single-game sports betting. This is why we found it imperative to compile a list of the top eight Alberta sports betting sites, each with its own perks and benefits, and help you find the right one for your needs.
Best Alberta Sports Betting Sites
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Rating | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betway | Up to C$200 Deposit Match | 5/5 | Play Now |
| Pinnacle | – | 4.9/5 | Play Now |
| Betiton | Bet C$15 to Get C$10 | 4.9/5 | Play Now |
| 888 Sport | 100% First Deposit Bonus Up to C$250 | 4.8/5 | Play Now |
| Unibet | Up to C$100 Second Chance Bet | 4.7/5 | Play Now |
| 22bet | 100% Up to C$180 | 4.6/5 | Play Now |
| Betsafe | 100% Up to C$500 | 4.6/5 | Play Now |
| Bethard | 100% Up to C$100 | 4.6/5 | Play Now |
How We Rate Alberta’s Top Online Sportsbooks
As the Alberta sports betting market continues to evolve, so do the online sports betting sites we evaluate. We want you to make an informed decision based on accurate information, which is why we update our criteria accordingly. Here’s what it entails:
- Bonuses. Both welcome, and existing user offers are designed to improve your overall betting experience, which is why we greatly value handsome promotions. While experienced bettors might not find higher bonuses that important, they could make all the difference for someone who’s betting for the first time.
- Payment Options. It’s not only the variety of methods that make a sportsbook better. We focus on the security and convenience of these payment options, as we want users to be able to deposit with ease while knowing their funds are in safe hands.
- Security. To add to the above, secure Alberta sports betting sites always rank higher on our list. We consider a range of factors, such as two-factor authentication, secure payment, and withdrawals, transparent terms and conditions, as well as responsible gambling tools.
- Live Streaming, Early Cash Out, In-Play Wagering. We take these into account, as they’ll make your betting experience even more fun and allow you to withdraw your winnings instantly further down the road.
- Customer Support. We make sure the website’s customer support team is there for its users (we put it to the test ourselves), regardless of the time of day.
A Closer Look at Alberta’s Top Betting Sites
Discover which Alberta sportsbook aligns best with your betting preferences with our reviews. Here is a quick overview of the top sportsbooks’ unique strengths:
- Overall Best Sportsbook in Alberta – Betway
- Highest Betting Limits Sportsbook – Pinnacle
- Best for Competitive Odds – Betiton
- Best for Live Betting – 888 Sport
- Best for Easy & Convenient Payments – Unibet
- Best Bonuses & Promotions – 22bet
- Best for Odds Boosts – Betsafe
- Best for Sports Selection – Bethard
Betway – Overall Best Betting Site
Standing out from competitors is undoubtedly challenging, especially in the online gambling industry. However, Betway does a pretty good job at it. This is a legal sports betting site with competitive odds and over 30 sports available to bet on. Both its website and mobile app are designed with simplicity in mind while still being visually appealing. The bet builder, unfortunately, is only available for soccer.
Pros
- Wide range of traditional and niche sports
- Handsome offer for new users
- Easy-to-use website and mobile app
Cons
- No cryptocurrency payment option
- Odds aren’t always competitive
Pinnacle – Highest Betting Limits
Pinnacle is a prominent online sports betting platform known for its low margins and competitive odds across various sports markets. It offers extensive coverage of e-sports and is compatible with multiple devices. The platform provides detailed articles for bettors of all levels and supports numerous deposit options. However, it lacks bonuses, promotions, and comp points for betting, and customer support is limited to email.
Pros
- Supports various payment methods
- Competitive odds and low margins
- High betting limits
Cons
- Lack of bonuses
- Limited customer support
Betiton – Best Competitive Odds
If you love horse racing betting, then this is the sports betting site for you. It offers over 200 horse races daily, as well as regular odds boosts on popular sports. While the welcome bonus could be improved, the many payment methods and high winning limits make up for it. Betiton also offers an online casino, which you can easily switch to.
Pros
- Regulated by two respectable licensing bodies
- Rewarding VIP Program
- Wide selection of payment and withdrawal options
Cons
- Lack of live streaming service
- Lack of dedicated mobile app
888 Sport – Best Live Betting Site
With one of the biggest welcome bonuses on the market, 888 Sport is a great go-to choice for first-time bettors. The payments are instant, the withdrawals are easy, and the bet builder can be customized to your liking. They need to work on their customer service, as it’s not 24/7, but apart from this, 888 Sport provides a user-friendly sports betting experience for its players.
Pros
- Option to customize bet builders
- Solid coverage of sports leagues to bet on
- Plenty of promotions for new and existing users
Cons
- Offers a few banking methods
- No live chat available
Unibet – Best Payment Options
Unibet boasts over 34 major and niche sports, as well as a VIP Program for its most loyal users. The minimum deposit is adequate, starting from C$10, while withdrawals usually take between 1 to 5 business days. Both the website and mobile app are easy to navigate and, most importantly – 100% legit in Alberta.
Pros
- Excellent in-play betting service
- Fast withdrawals via Skrill and Neteller
- Generous welcome bonus
Cons
- Customer service isn’t always reliable
- Payments are only available via credit/debit cards and e-wallets
22bet – Best Bonuses & Promotions
Besides having a Curacao license, 22bet is a legal sports betting site designed for both novice and experienced bettors. The platform covers more than 1,000 sports events daily and has high win limits you can take advantage of. 22bet’s bonuses and promotions are ones to praise, as they’re equally rewarding for new and existing users.
Pros
- Huge selection of sports and sporting events
- Easy-to-use bet constructor
- Extensive live betting feature
Cons
- Lack of phone support
- Users find it challenging to verify their accounts
Betsafe – Best for Odds Boosts
We absolutely loved Betsafe’s welcome offer, as well as its sports coverage. Signing up at this sportsbook is quick and easy, making it a great platform for new bettors. The odds aren’t always as competitive as those of its competitors, but Betsafe will still give you a rewarding betting experience.
Pros
- The website’s design is visually appealing
- Well-developed live streaming feature
- 30+ sports
Cons
- Not as many promotions for existing players
- Limited banking methods
Bethard – Best Variety of Sports
Bethard is another great sports betting site that offers a huge selection of sports and competitive odds. The terms and conditions are both fair and easy to understand. There’s no phone support available, but the customer service team is still responsive and ready to help you at all times.
Pros
- Sleek website and mobile app
- Customer support is highly responsive
- Attractive welcome bonus
Cons
- No live streaming feature
- Limited promotions for existing players
Best Sports Betting Apps in Alberta (for Android & iOS)
You should know that all of the above-listed Canadian betting sites are optimized for mobile, meaning you can access the betting options through your mobile device. But only the ones listed in the table below offer a downloadable app.
| Betting App | Play Store Rating | Apple Store Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Betway | 4.3 | 4.7 |
| 888 Sport | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Unibet | 3.8 | 3.8 |
| 22bet | 4 | 3.7 |
| Betsafe | 3.9 | 3.3 |
Mobile Sites vs Mobile Betting Apps
It’s not that big of a difference really; you still get to place bets while on the go, regardless of what you choose. When it’s a mobile sports betting site, you can easily access it through your phone’s web browser. On the other hand, mobile sports betting apps need to be downloaded through the AppStore or PlayStore.
Sports Betting Laws in Alberta
Since the passing of Bill C-218 in 2021, online sports betting has been legal in Alberta, with sports betting fans allowed to participate in both parlay betting and single-game betting. However, you must be at least 18 years old to legally place bets at Alberta sportsbooks.
The Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis oversees the only regulated option in the province – PlayAlberta. Another way of legal sports betting is through the Sport Select betting game provided by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation or licensed offshore sports betting brands.
The best thing about sports betting in Canada is that all forms of online gaming winnings, whether from gambling, betting, or lottery, are completely tax-free. The same goes for Alberta gaming.
Mobile sports betting is also legal in Alberta, and while PlayAlberta and Sport Select don’t offer a dedicated mobile app, most licensed offshore sportsbooks do. Additionally, the online sports betting scene in Alberta allows for horse racing betting, daily fantasy sports contests, and online casinos.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Betting Platform
Choosing the best Canada sports betting site in Alberta might seem like a real chore. However, we’ve added a few more factors that can help Alberta sports bettors make an informed decision.
- Licensing and Regulation. While online sports betting in Alberta is legal and many offshore sportsbooks offer their services, it’s important always to check whether the platform is licensed, which you will find by going through the terms and conditions.
- User-friendliness and Interface. Online sports betting should be a breeze, not filled with complications. So, if you prefer a trouble-free experience, we recommend choosing a bookie that’s both rewarding and easy to use.
- Betting Markets and Options. Besides covering all major sporting events, the betting platform should offer a wide range of betting markets and betting options, such as match results and specific player performances, as well as in-play and futures betting.
- Promotions and Bonuses. If we haven’t stressed this enough, generous bonuses and promotions play a huge role in your experience, which is why you should consider them when choosing an Alberta sports betting platform. Don’t be immediately blinded by a huge welcome bonus, but also consider the ongoing promotions, such as daily odds boosts and loyalty rewards.
- Mobile Compatibility. You might feel the urge to bet while on the go, which is why it’s smart to choose a sportsbook that’s either optimized for mobile sports betting or offers a downloadable iOS/Android mobile app.
- Customer Support. Once again, choosing a sportsbook with solid customer service can help you a great deal. What we mean by this is one that’s available via email, live chat, or phone, regardless of the time of day, and most importantly – friendly to its customers.
- Payment Options. When it comes to sports betting payment options, ensure there’s solid coverage and that each method is easy and secure to use. Options like credit cards and PayPal work well, but traditional payment methods such as Cash are also welcomed.
How to Get Started with Online Betting in Alberta
If this is your first time betting or engaging in any form of online gambling, you might find it challenging to kickstart your online sports betting experience. However, we made it easy for you, as all you have to do is follow the below step-by-step guide.
- Select a Sportsbook. First, by taking into account our evaluation criteria, choose a sportsbook you think best fits your needs and interests.
- Register. On the official website or the dedicated mobile app, tap on the ”Sign Up” or ”Register” button, depending on the sportsbook.
- Claim a Bonus. Not that you would forget, but if there is one, make sure to enter a promo code during the registration process to claim the bonus, or otherwise, wait for it to be automatically credited to your account.
- Deposit Funds. To officially begin your legal sports betting journey in Alberta, add the first money to your account by visiting the cashier section.
- Choose Your Bet Types. Don’t just decide at first glance; instead, choose the bet types you think align best with your budget preferences.
- Start Betting. When all is said and done, it’s time to place your first bets.
What Bets are Available to Alberta Players
With the option to bet on PlayAlberta, Sports Select, or an offshore betting site, Alberta sports bettors have a wide range of online sports betting legal options to choose from. Regardless of what you prefer, here are the most popular betting types in the province:
- Single-Game Betting. This type of betting allows you to bet on the outcome of a single sporting event, such as who will win the match or the specific result.
- Pro-Line. Involves you choosing the outcome of multiple games on a single ticket, 3-6 games, to be precise. You win if all the predictions turn out to be correct.
- Over/Under. You choose from 2-10 games and decide on each if the total score will be higher or lower than the number previously set by the online sportsbooks.
- Point Spread. This type of betting involves deciding if the home or visiting team will win, taking into account a point spread that’s either added or subtracted from the final score.
- Pools. This one allows Alberta bettors to participate in a betting pool where they must predict the outcome of several games and events.
- Props. You pick the winner in 3-6 head-to-head matchups, and if all your predictions are correct, you win the bet.
- Double Play. A type of sports wagering where you combine more or two different games or events into a single bet.
- Combo Play. Similar to Double Play, this one involves combining more than two games or events into a single sports bet.
Popular Sports You Can Bet on in Alberta
The online betting companies available in Alberta provide a wide array of both traditional and niche sports leagues where you can place bets. However, like in every other Canadian province, bettors in Alberta have their favorite sports.
NHL
As the most popular sport in the country, it’s only natural for ice hockey to be the most popular sport to bet on in Alberta. One of the NHL teams that stands out and has a huge following in Alberta is the Calgary Flames, founded in 1972 and currently supported through online betting.
CFL
When you have your own favorite sport, it holds a special place in your heart. That’s exactly how Canadians feel about the Canadian Football League (CFL). Alberta itself boasts two of the most popular sports teams in the country – the Calgary Stampeders and the Edmonton Eiks.
NBA
Basketball is a widely popular betting sport, and this is especially true in North America. While no NBA teams trace their roots back to Alberta, the sport still enjoys a huge following. It’s worth noting that Canada has NBA players like Steve Nash and Jamal Murray, which is all the more reason for the sport’s popularity.
NFL
No NFL teams are located in Canada either, but football remains a popular sport for betting in Alberta and all of Canada. Alberta sports bettors might support various NFL teams, such as the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings.
MLB
Canada has one major MLB team – the Toronto Blue Jays, which, as the name suggests, are located in Toronto, Ontario. However, they’re still supported by many sports fans in Alberta, making MLB one of their favorite sports to bet on in the province.
Horse Racing
Thankfully, Alberta has no limitations when it comes to horse racing betting, as sports enthusiasts are allowed to place sports wagers both online and at racetracks. The only local sportsbook – PlayAlberta, doesn’t offer horse racing betting, but you can still find it at many of the licensed offshore sportsbooks. Or, you can bet live by visiting one of the racetracks available, such as the Rocky Mountain Turb Club.
Alberta Sports Betting FAQs
Can You Legally Bet on Sports in Alberta?
Absolutely! Overseen by the Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), sports betting is completely legal in Alberta. You’re also allowed to place bets at offshore sportsbooks, further expanding your sports betting options, including both parlay betting and single-game sports betting.
What is the Age Requirement for Sports Betting in Alberta?
While most provinces in Canada require you to be at least 19 years of age to bet online, Alberta’s legal gambling age is 18 years old, or older.
Is Single-Event Sports Betting Allowed in Alberta?
Yes. Single-game sports betting has been available for sports betting enthusiasts in Alberta ever since the passing of Bill C-218 in 2021. You can find these types of bets at both the PlayAlberta betting site and legal offshore sportsbooks operating in the province.
Who Oversees Sports Betting in Alberta?
Sports betting in Alberta is legal and regulated by the Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC). The regulatory body even has its own product – PlayAlberta, which allows Alberta sports betting enthusiasts to place both individual and parlay bets.
Are Bet Winnings Subject to Taxes in Alberta?
If you’re in Alberta and looking to bet online, you’re in luck, as the province doesn’t tax your betting and gambling winnings. Unless it’s your main source of income, you don’t even need to report it to the CRA.
Where Can I Get Help For Gambling Addiction in Alberta?
If gambling happens to turn into an uncontrollable habit, remember that it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Just make sure to play responsibly, and if it ever comes to that, contact the Alberta information hub or the Alberta Gambling Helpline at 1-866-332-2322 for support and guidance.