Stake online gambling platform to launch in Alberta ahead of deadline
The platform, which has secured AGLC approval, will enter the province's regulated market just before a grace period for operators ends.
The Stake online gambling platform will launch in Alberta on Oct. 12, one day before a provincial deadline for operators to join the regulated market. The Australian-backed sports betting and online casino operator has secured approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission and is finalizing an operating agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation. Stake has long been a dominant player in Canada's unregulated online gambling space, accounting for an estimated 31 percent of the national gray market according to H2 Gambling Capital. The company created Stake Canada to expand into regulated Canadian markets and is also seeking approval to launch in Ontario. "Stake has built one of the world's most recognizable brands in online gaming by doing things differently," said Kris Abbott, country manager at Stake Canada, in a press release. "We move faster, we build bigger, and we create an entertainment experience that genuinely shapes internet and sports culture." According to H2 Gambling Capital chief operating officer Josh Hodgson, Stake generated an estimated CA$921 million in the 2026 fiscal year, second only to Super Group's CA$942 million.
The Alberta iGaming market launched on July 13, and operators were granted a 90-day grace period on a case-by-case basis to demonstrate a path to compliance. The Oct. 13 deadline marks the end of that grace period for gray-market operators to transition to the regulated space. As of Oct. 8, the AGLC lists 41 licensed iGaming operators, including the state-run Play Alberta, with 39 active sites currently accepting wagers.
"Stake Canada's approach to regulated market entry is grounded in preparation, accountability, and a long-term commitment to compliance," said Birgitte Sand, a board member at Stake Canada. "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." Sand also commended the Alberta government, the AGLC, and the AiGC for establishing the province's commercial iGaming framework. Beyond North America, Stake currently operates in regulated markets across Europe and Latin America.