Alberta iGaming Market Launches as bet365, BetRivers, and theScore Bet Go Live; Prediction Markets and Pennsylvania Revenue Set Records

Alberta officially opened its regulated commercial iGaming market at midnight on July 13, 2026, becoming the second Canadian province after Ontario to permit private online sports betting and casino operators under provincial oversight. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) has registered 50 operators, 58 critical gaming systems providers, and 14 platform providers, with more than 15 operators launching on day one alongside the government-owned Play Alberta platform. Additional operators are expected to enter after completing commercial agreements with the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC).

bet365 Expands Canadian Presence

Bet365 has been added to the AGLC’s roster of regulated operators and is now live in Alberta with its sportsbook and online casino offerings, including live betting, competitive odds, and the Early Payout Offer. The operator’s Sub On Play On promotion, which automatically transfers eligible player-proposition wagers to an in-game substitute if the originally selected player is replaced, will be available in Alberta. Globally, that promotion generated about $40 million in payouts during the first 10 days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Trip Stoddard, Head of Development at bet365, said: "Canada is a key market for bet365, and cementing our brand's presence in Alberta marks another milestone in our long-term commitment to Canadian sports fans." Bet365 also announced a partnership with the Canadian Football League (CFL), becoming an Official Sports Betting and Online Casino Partner of the league in Ontario and Alberta ahead of the 113th Grey Cup in Calgary on Nov. 15. The Alberta launch follows bet365’s recent entry into Michigan, its 17th U.S. jurisdiction.

BetRivers and theScore Bet Join the Fray

Rush Street Interactive introduced its BetRivers online casino and sportsbook brand in Alberta, available via ab.betrivers.ca and the BetRivers mobile app. CEO Richard Schwartz said: "We're very excited to bring our award-winning platform and player-first approach to the millions of gaming enthusiasts in the Alberta market." The platform features gamified experiences such as Rush Packs and Wheel Spins, and the launch is supported by an Alberta-themed marketing campaign fronted by brand ambassador Dan O'Toole. BetRivers entered Canada with its Ontario launch in 2022.

PENN Entertainment launched theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Alberta alongside standalone theScore Casino and Hollywood Casino apps. Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Interactive at PENN Entertainment, said: "Alberta has an incredible sports culture, and we're excited to bring theScore Bet Sportsbook & Casino to players across the province." TheScore Bet is the exclusive official gaming partner of the Toronto Blue Jays and an official gaming partner of the NHL and PGA Tour. To mark the launch, theScore Bet will introduce fan engagement events including its Toronto Blue Jays Jersey Swap promotion.

Other notable operators registered for Alberta include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, PointsBet, Betway, 888, Bally’s, Pure Casino Entertainment, and River Cree iGaming, among the 31 companies approved as of May 22, 2026. DraftKings has opened pre-registration and plans to launch on July 13, aligning with the World Cup. Caesars has also opened pre-registration for its sportsbook and online casino brands.

Pennsylvania Gaming Revenue Tops $7 Billion

Pennsylvania’s regulated gaming revenue exceeded $7 billion for the first time in fiscal year 2025/26, reaching a record $7.01 billion, up from $6.39 billion a year earlier, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. The state collected a record $3.09 billion in taxes and fees. iGaming revenue rose 18.4% to a record $2.93 billion, led by Hollywood Casino at Penn National ($1.13 billion). Sports wagering revenue increased 35.95% to $662.9 million despite a decline in handle to $8.45 billion. Valley Forge Casino Resort led sports wagering revenue with $272.6 million. Retail slot revenue was flat at $2.44 billion, while table games fell 2.15% to $908.9 million. Video gaming terminal revenue rose slightly to $41.6 million, and fantasy sports revenue declined 5.79% to $18.0 million.

Prediction Markets Surge During World Cup

Prediction markets accounted for an estimated 27% of all legal U.S. sports-betting volume during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, up from about 9% at the beginning of the year, according to H2 Gambling Capital. Kalshi repeatedly set trading records, more than doubling its peak from the New York Knicks' playoff run, and its mobile app attracted more daily users than DraftKings or FanDuel during the tournament, per Apptopia. Kalshi also secured advertising on digital perimeter boards during World Cup matches. The fastest-growing product was combo contracts, akin to sportsbook parlays. Analysts noted that prediction markets benefit from regulatory differences, serving customers in states where sports betting remains illegal and allowing participation from age 18. FanDuel has launched its own prediction-market app but with limited traction. Ed Birkin, Managing Director at H2 Gambling Capital, said: "It's pretty clear that prediction markets have had a very good World Cup. I think they are less of a threat than some people make out, but they are definitely eating around the edges." Despite the surge, stocks of DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment are down more than 25% for the year. Kalshi generated more than twice the World Cup trading volume of Polymarket, according to Dune Analytics. Competition is also increasing as a new prediction-market platform backed by Robinhood Markets and Susquehanna International Group attracted notable trading activity during the tournament.