bet365 Secures Alberta iGaming Market Entry, Set for July 13 Launch

(AsiaGameHub) –   bet365 has been added to Alberta’s roster of approved operators for the province’s online gambling launch on July 13, providing the global brand entry to its second regulated market in Canada.

Good to Know

• bet365 is listed by the AGLC under the names Hillside International Gaming and International Sports.
• Alberta is scheduled to commence regulated online sports betting and iGaming on July 13, 2026.
• There are now 31 gaming operators readying for the launch in the province.

While bet365 has not made an official launch statement, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission included the company on its list of approved operators this Monday. This authorization encompasses both online casino and sports betting offerings under the Hillside International Gaming and International Sports brands.

Alberta is poised to become Canada’s second open online gambling market, following Ontario. The province has designated July 13, 2026, as the kickoff for regulated private-sector iGaming and sports betting, mandating that operators register with the AGLC and agree to commercial terms with the Alberta iGaming Corporation.

Alberta Adds Another Major Brand

The lineup of operators for the Alberta launch is already extensive. Major names like DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Rush Street, Hard Rock Bet, and Caesars are preparing to enter the market alongside bet365. The province has also granted approvals to 35 gaming providers and 11 suppliers.

For bet365, the move into Alberta is part of a broader North American expansion. Founded in England by Denise Coates in 2000, the operator launched in Ontario in 2022 and entered the U.S. market later that same year. It is now live in 17 U.S. states, with Michigan being one of its most recent additions this past April, and it established a U.S. headquarters in Colorado in September 2024.

The company has demonstrated robust performance in certain U.S. states that disclose individual operator data. For instance, bet365 ranked third in both handle and profit in Ohio during March Madness. Ontario does not publish the same detailed operator breakdown, leaving its precise standing in that market unknown.

Alberta’s objective is to shift online gambling from grey-market operations into a taxed and regulated system. Government estimates indicate a significant portion of online gambling expenditure currently occurs outside the provincial framework, which is a primary motivation for introducing this new competitive model.

This new market will also conclude the Play Alberta monopoly on legal online gambling in the province. Several online casinos and sportsbooks, including DraftKings, have already initiated preregistration campaigns as operators aim to secure customers ahead of the July 13 launch.