DraftKings Announces Launch of Sportsbook and Casino in Alberta
DraftKings has officially announced that it will debut its online sportsbook and casino, along with the Golden Nugget Online Gaming brand, in Alberta on July 13. This move marks Alberta as the second Canadian province where DraftKings is active, following Ontario, and brings the company’s total number of regulated North American sports betting jurisdictions to 34.
On July 13, Alberta’s regulated online gambling market will open its doors, as set by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. The province becomes only the second in Canada after Ontario to authorize private-sector operators for sportsbook and casino services.
On launch day, DraftKings enters a highly competitive environment. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s list of licensed operators, which numbered 28 in May, has grown to over 45 by early July, according to industry reports.
Notable entrants include bet365, which previously operated in Alberta’s grey market and has now secured a license for the first day. FanDuel also announced its entry this week, supported by new community investments and sports partnerships. Additionally, BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook are among the confirmed players, with Caesars launching three separate brands.
Operators will be taxed at 20% on net gaming revenue, with 3% of gross revenue allocated to First Nations communities and social responsibility initiatives.
The Alberta government estimates this framework could generate C$76 million in revenue during its first year, equating to nearly $390 million in legal gaming revenue for the province. This shift aims to divert betting activity away from unregulated platforms that have historically served Alberta bettors.
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With this launch, DraftKings Casino is now active in five U.S. states and Golden Nugget Online Gaming in four, both brands now operating in Alberta and Ontario. To participate, players must be at least 18 years old and physically present within Alberta.
Greg Karamitis, DraftKings’ Executive VP and General Manager of Sports, expressed enthusiasm:“We’re thrilled to launch DraftKings Sportsbook and DraftKings Casino, as well as Golden Nugget Online Gaming in Alberta and continue expanding our presence in Canada. Alberta is home to a passionate sports fan base, and we’re excited to bring customers across the province our industry-leading sports betting and online casino experiences. Launching during one of the biggest moments in global sports, with the World Cup taking place across North America, makes this an especially exciting time to welcome Albertans to DraftKings.”
Prior to the official launch, DraftKings plans to host a World Cup watch party on July 11 at the Wildhorse Saloon in Calgary. This event is part of a broader initiative that has brought fans from Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, and Hoboken together to watch matches through live viewings, giveaways, and interactive activities.
The Calgary event links the Alberta debut directly to the tournament, which North America is co-hosting this year.
To celebrate the Alberta launch, DraftKings employees will volunteer alongside Food Banks Alberta and present a $150,000 donation. The funds are expected to provide over 40,000 pounds of food: including fruits, vegetables, and baby formula to support food banks across the province.
In Alberta, eligible customers will gain access to DraftKings’ full suite of products, including same-game parlays, live betting, and thousands of casino titles through both the DraftKings and Golden Nugget platforms.
The company emphasizes its commitment to responsible gambling, offering tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options.
The Alberta launch coincides with impressive financial results. In the first quarter of 2026, DraftKings reported revenue of $1.65 billion up 17% year-over-year with adjusted EBITDA soaring 64% to $168 million. The company maintains its full-year outlook of revenue between $6.5 billion and $6.9 billion.
Much of this growth stems from DraftKings Predictions, the operator’s CFTC-regulated event-contracts platform. For the week ending June 21, consumer activity in prediction markets hit an annualized volume of $3.4 billion, a significant increase from $1.3 billion in May, aligning with the launch of its DKeX exchange. DraftKings anticipates investing between $200 million and $300 million in prediction markets this year. Results for the second quarter are expected later this month.
DraftKings first identified Alberta as a target market in April, when it announced plans to enter pending regulatory approval. With over 45 licensed operators now registered by the AGLC, July 13 stands out as one of the most competitive regulated iGaming launches in Canadian history. DraftKings Sportsbook Casino
