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Stake secures Alberta licence to enter Canada's regulated iGaming market
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iGaming

Stake secures Alberta licence to enter Canada's regulated iGaming market

The online casino and sportsbook plans to launch its Alberta platform in October 2026 after finalizing an operating agreement.

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Stake, the world’s largest online casino and sportsbook, has secured a licence from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission to enter the province's regulated iGaming market.

Kris Abbott, country manager at Stake Canada, said the company is "not here to blend in."

"We are here to raise the bar and bring the distinctive Stake experience to Alberta’s highly engaged player audience," Abbott said.

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Subject to executing an operating agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation, Stake Canada expects to become fully operational on Oct. 12, 2026.

Once launched, the Alberta platform will operate under AGLC standards with responsible gaming and player protection measures.

"Securing licensing in Alberta provides a strong foundation for the company’s development in Canada and reflects the importance we place on meeting local standards and player safety," said Birgitte Sand, a board member at Stake Canada.

She commended the Alberta government, the AGLC and the AiGC for their work to establish the province's regulated iGaming framework.

Alberta is the latest addition to Stake's regulated-market footprint, which includes operations in Italy, Denmark, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Argentina.

The company said its market-entry strategy is based on preparation, accountability and a long-term commitment to compliance.

Stake has built a global identity through sports, entertainment and creator partnerships, alongside original content designed to engage audiences beyond traditional betting.

Since its 2017 launch, Stake has grown from an online gaming disruptor into one of the industry’s largest brands.

Abbott said Stake has built one of the world’s most recognizable brands in online gaming by doing things differently.

"We move faster, we build bigger and we create an entertainment experience that genuinely shapes internet and sports culture," he said.

The company said Alberta's competitive iGaming market presents a significant opportunity due to the province's established and highly engaged sports and gaming audience.

It noted the popularity of major 50/50 draws and the province's long-standing land-based casino industry as evidence of gaming's significant presence in Alberta's entertainment landscape.

The Alberta licence represents a further step in the company’s strategy to combine its global scale and technology with locally licensed operations tailored to individual markets.