DraftKings Confirms Sportsbook, Casino Launch Plans in Alberta, Canada

DraftKings confirmed its plans to launch its online sportsbook and casino brand in Alberta, Canada, this year.

The announcement groups DraftKings with other operators who signaled their intent to join Canada’s second province with legal gambling, pending regulatory approval. Ontario, the other, launched its online gambling and sports betting market on April 4, 2022.

Alberta’s market will open for business on July 13.

DraftKings sportsbook, casino coming to Alberta

DraftKings confirmed in a Thursday announcement its aim to join the Alberta market ahead of its universal launch. 

Pending approval, Alberta is set to become the 34th North American jurisdiction to approve the DraftKings Sportsbook, and the seventh to greenlight the DraftKings online casino, complete with slot machines and other casino-style games.

The timing of the launch will give gamblers across the province the opportunity to place their favorite wagers before the World Cup semifinals, the first of which will occur on the afternoon of July 14. The entire tournament will take place in North America. 

“We’re excited about the opportunity to expand DraftKings’ footprint in Canada and bring our online sportsbook and casino experiences to customers in Alberta,” said Greg Karamitis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sports at DraftKings. “With the anticipated launch aligning with the World Cup — hosted right here in North America — it’s a particularly exciting moment for sports fans in the province to engage with our platform.”

Individuals who meet the minimum age requirement can already pre-register for DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino.

Getting ready for launch

DraftKings is one of the leading gaming providers in America. It and FanDuel have dominated the sports betting scene, and DraftKings’ online casino is in the majority of states offering legal iGaming.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to expand DraftKings’ footprint in Canada and bring our online sportsbook and casino experiences to customers in Alberta,” said Greg Karamitis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sports at DraftKings.

Assuming no changes occur before the launch, three percent of DraftKings’ gross gaming revenue will be given to First Nations tribes and social responsibility funding. Alberta’s government will then claim 20% of the net iGaming revenue.

The newly-created Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) will take charge of the iGaming sector, while the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) will serve as the regulator.

There are still lots of unknowns in the Canadian gaming industry. Regulators have found themselves embattled by efforts to roll back advertising and implement a variety of responsible gaming protocols as sports betting and online casino gaming continue to take hold.

Ontario reported $12.7 billion in total gambling revenue through January since it first launched in 2022. Alberta has only roughly 30 percent of Ontario’s population, which will limit its revenue potential.