DraftKings to Debut Sportsbook and Casino Platforms in Alberta Next Week

Sportsbook operator DraftKings announced it will launch its online sportsbook and casino in Alberta on July 13, alongside its Golden Nugget Online Gaming brand. The move makes Alberta the second Canadian province where DraftKings Sportsbook will operate, joining Ontario, and marks the company's 34th jurisdiction across North America. 

Through the expansion, DraftKings Casino will be live in five US states, while Golden Nugget Online Gaming will operate in four, with both brands also available across Alberta and Ontario. 

Ahead of the launch, DraftKings plans to host a World Cup watch party on July 11 at the Wildhorse Saloon in Calgary, part of a series of similar fan events the company has held in cities including Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, and Hoboken. Those gatherings have featured live match viewing, giveaways, and interactive promotions. 

The company is also tying its Alberta sports betting and Alberta online casinos debut to a philanthropic push. DraftKings employees will volunteer with Food Banks Alberta and deliver a $150,000 donation to fund more than 40,000 pounds of food, including fruits, vegetables, and baby formula, which will be distributed through the organization's member network across the province. 

Once live and available in the list of legal Alberta sports betting apps, Alberta customers will gain access to DraftKings' full suite of offerings, including same-game parlays, live in-game betting, odds boosts, and a wide casino catalog featuring titles like Wheel of Fortune – Triple Extreme Spin, as well as progressive jackpot games.  

“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,” said Greg Karamitis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sports at DraftKings.  

Alberta's broader iGaming launch revenue expectations 

DraftKings' entry comes as part of a much larger shift already underway in Alberta, where the province is opening its doors to a competitive, privately run iGaming market on that same July 13 date. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally has said the province expects the newly regulated market to generate approximately $76 million in revenue during its first year. 

That figure would put Alberta on a similar track to Ontario, which brought in around $87 million during its own opening year in 2022. 

As of late June, 47 operators had completed registration with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission, with that number later climbing to 51 as additional brands joined the list. Major operators, including BetMGM, FanDuel, Bet365, and DraftKings, are among those preparing to compete alongside PlayAlberta, the province's existing government-run platform. 

Under the province's revenue structure, operators will keep roughly 80% of net gaming revenue, while the government retains about 20%. An additional 3% of gross gaming revenue will be set aside before that split, with 2% directed to First Nations funding and 1% toward responsible gambling programs.