If you’re an Albertan who is thinking of signing up with an online casino, then you may have a few unanswered questions. At first glance, the online gambling situation in Canada can look a bit confusing, with some provinces imposing their own regulations. However, with a bit of guidance it is actually very easy to understand.
In this article, we break it down for you, and show you what options you have and give you some advice. So, before you choose an online casino in Alberta, keep reading to find out everything you need to know.
1. Alberta has an official online gambling site
Alberta is one of the provinces in Canada that has an official, state-run online gambling site. Play Alberta is open to residents of the province, and offers casino games, lottery, live dealer tables, and sports betting – including the recently introduced single-event wagering. The site is overseen by the AGLC, which is the state department responsible for the regulation of gambling and other activities.
As a government endeavour, all profits from the site are invested back into the state revenue fund and used to finance services and programs for the residents of Alberta. If you use the Play Alberta site, you can do so with the knowledge that you are contributing to the state coffers, and perhaps a bit of civic pride.
2. You have options
Albertans are not entirely limited to a single, official gambling site. In fact, anyone living in Canada has a lot of options when it comes to casino sites. This is because the use of offshore casino providers is legal in Canada – sort of. More accurately, it is not illegal to play at a casino site based overseas. Nothing is codified in law, and any attempts to prohibit their use have been easily struck down.
What is left is one of the most open regimes in the world – hardly surprising in Canada. No offshore sites are geo-blocked, Canadians are free to play at whichever site they choose, and many of the biggest global casinos mit mga lizenz brands have localised their sites to the Canadian market. For Albertans, there are many hundreds of options beyond the state casino site.
3. International casino sites provide better perks
Although Play Alberta has some bonuses, they do not compare to the offers you can find at international casino sites. Since they compete on the open market, these casinos have massive bonuses. For example, many online casinos have promotions for new players as an incentive to sign up and make a deposit. They also have free spins promos, cashback on losses, slot tournaments, loyalty and VIP programs, and plenty more.
As well as having better perks, overseas casinos outcompete government sites on the games selection as well. Foreign sites often have thousands of slots and hundreds of other casino games in their collections, compared to less than a hundred titles at government sites. There is also a much wider selection of gaming software providers, so the variety is also much greater.
4. It’s up to you to do some research
If you do decide to go for an offshore site, then a bit of due diligence is in order. Provincial gambling sites may lack scope, but they do guarantee player safety. The law will not bother you for playing at an offshore site, but it also will not help you if something goes awry. So, in order to have fun and stay safe, you absolutely must do some research.
Luckily, there are some easy ways to check if a site is legit. The simplest of these is to verify that the casino has a valid license from a recognised authority. It goes without saying that unlicensed operators must be avoided. These sites do not have to comply with any kind of regulations, and so they cannot be trusted to be fair or secure.
For the international market, trusted licensing bodies include the Malta Gaming Authority and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Licences from other groups are also valid, but it is always wise to read some player reviews before signing up.
5. It’s only a bit of fun
Whichever online casino site you choose to play at, remember that gambling in any form is only ever for fun. Unless you are a professional poker player, you should never go into a gambling session with the expectation of winning some money. Wins are great when they come, but they are not the end goal of gambling. It is just a form of entertainment, and you should always play within your means. All reputable sites have responsible gambling tools, which can help any player to keep track of their gambling and make sure it stays purely fun.