Online Poker in Alberta: Gambling Laws & Legality
How legal is it to play online poker in Alberta? In this province, the situation with internet poker is not as straightforward as one might hope. In this article, you will learn about the conditions for playing online poker, operational poker rooms, sweepstakes poker, and taxes for players.
Legality of Online Poker in Alberta
In Alberta, online poker is in a “gray area.” Legislation does not directly prohibit online gambling, but it also does not regulate it. This means you can play on international poker sites operating under offshore licenses. You do so at your own risk. The local regulator, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), does not oversee the activities of these sites.
| Status | Online Poker is Unregulated |
| Start Date | None |
| Legal Poker Rooms | N/A |
| Shared Liquidity | None |
| Legal Sweepstakes Poker | Stake.com, GlobalPoker, clubWPT |
| Minimum Age | 18+ |
| Regulator | Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) |
| Tax | up to 15% for professional players |
The Best Alberta Online Poker Sites
Despite the absence of locally licensed platforms, Alberta residents have access to international poker sites. Operating in a vast market, these poker rooms offer high-quality service, convenient payment systems, fast withdrawals, and localization in both English and French. Let’s look at some major poker rooms that accept players from Alberta.
GGPoker
GGPoker is a global leader in online poker, available to players from Alberta. Here you will find a wide selection of cash games and tournaments, including exclusive series with large prize pools. The user-friendly interface and mobile app allow you to play anywhere and anytime. Notably, the brand ambassador here is Daniel Negreanu himself—a poker legend from Canada. A significant distinguishing feature of GGPoker is that its parent company, NSUS, which owns the “GGPoker” brand, acquired the rights to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) brand. Thus, the annual WSOP Online series now takes place on GGPoker, giving you the opportunity to win a prestigious gold bracelet from the comfort of your home.
PokerStars
PokerStars is one of the oldest poker rooms, offering an enormous variety of games and tournaments to suit any taste and bankroll. Reliability, security, and high-quality software make it one of the most popular choices among players. It is important to note that PokerStars’ long history has demonstrated the reliability and security of funds. Since Alberta authorities do not regulate online poker, players may require additional assurances of fund security. PokerStars may be a good choice for those seeking both excellent gameplay and reliability.
888Poker
888Poker attracts players with its generous bonuses and promotions. Here you will find numerous cash games and tournaments with low buy-ins, which are ideal for beginners. The convenient mobile client and ease of use make the game comfortable even for those just starting their poker journey. A notable distinguishing feature of 888Poker is the no-deposit bonus of up to $20. You can try playing online poker without risking your own money.
Sweepstakes Poker in Alberta
If you want to try something new or simply play for free with the chance to win real prizes, consider sweepstakes format.
Stake.com
Stake.com offers a unique poker experience without the need to place real bets. Using virtual coins, you can participate in various games and tournaments, and exchange accumulated Sweep Coins for real prizes. In 2024, the platform added online poker, and within the first months of operation, up to 10 NL10 tables were gathering in the international pool on Stake.com. It is important to note that players from Alberta will not enter the Canadian pool Stake.ca, where poker enthusiasts from Ontario play. Additionally, they won’t overlap with players from the USA, who belong to the Stake.us pool. However, Alberta players can test their skills against a large number of players from Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
GlobalPoker
GlobalPoker is the oldest sweepstakes poker room. The room is geared towards the US market and offers comfortable gaming conditions for poker enthusiasts. You will often see promotional activities related to famous American athletes, including Michael Phelps. The room has its own regular tournament series and plenty of cash games.
clubWPT
clubWPT is a subscription-based poker platform from the World Poker Tour. For a small monthly fee, you gain access to exclusive tournaments where tickets for real live WPT events are up for grabs. Some stages of the World Poker Tour take place in Canada, and such tournaments can be particularly attractive to poker enthusiasts from Alberta.
How to Play Online Poker
Starting to play online poker in Alberta is easier than it seems at first glance. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, the steps to start playing are equally straightforward.
Here is a step-by-step guide:
- First, choose a poker room that suits you. Several international sites are available in Alberta, such as GGPoker, PokerStars, and 888Poker. Each offers unique bonuses, tournaments, and game formats, so it is worth exploring their offers before registering.
- Second, go to the chosen poker room’s website and click the “Register” or “Join” button. You will need to enter your personal information: name, date of birth, email address, and phone number. Don’t forget to confirm your account by clicking the link in the email that will be sent to you.
- After registration, you need to fund your account. Most poker rooms offer various payment methods, which we will discuss shortly. Enter the deposit amount and choose a convenient payment method for you. Once the money is credited to your account, you are ready to play!
- Now, download the poker room’s client software or use the web version if available. Log in to your account, set up your game settings, and start playing poker.
Banking Options
Credit and debit cards, such as Visa and MasterCard, remain the most popular and convenient methods. They allow you to quickly deposit and withdraw money without hassle. E-wallets, such as Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal, offer a high level of security and instant transfers, which is especially convenient for those who value speed.
If you prefer more traditional methods, bank transfers are an excellent choice. This is a reliable way to transfer large sums, although it may take a little more time. For those who value anonymity, prepaid cards like Paysafecard provide the ability to fund your account without revealing banking details.
Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, are becoming increasingly popular due to their anonymity and transaction speed. If you are familiar with cryptocurrencies, this is a great way to manage your funds without intermediaries.
The minimum deposit is usually around $10, making poker accessible even for those who are just starting. Most methods have no age restrictions, but it is important to remember to protect your data and choose reputable platforms.
Note that the Alberta regulator does not oversee the activities of international platforms, so use reliable payment systems and monitor the speed of withdrawals.
Online Poker Cash Games
In poker rooms, you will find tables with various limits—from micro-limits of $0.01/$0.02 to high stakes of $50/$100 and above. The choice depends on your bankroll and comfort level. Beginners are advised to start with low limits to minimize risks and gain experience.
Good poker rooms offer reliable and user-friendly software that supports all necessary features—from tracking statistics to a convenient interface for mobile devices. GGPoker, PokerStars, and 888Poker are renowned for their powerful platforms that ensure stable gameplay and minimal delays.
In all these rooms, you will find plenty of games at both low and high limits.
Online Poker Tournament Series
If you enjoy the competitive spirit and large prize pools, tournaments are your choice. Tournament series offer a dynamic and exciting experience that differs from cash games.
GGPoker, PokerStars, and 888Poker have their own tournament series. Leading in this comparison is GGPoker because its parent company acquired the rights to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) brand. Now, WSOP Online tournaments take place on GGPoker, providing an additional opportunity to earn a championship bracelet. Besides this series, GGPoker hosts the most prestigious regular tournaments.
PokerStars is famous for its tournament series, such as WCOOP and SCOOP. During these series, you can play in hundreds of tournaments with various buy-ins. These are usually large-scale tournaments with substantial guarantees. However, PokerStars’ daily tournament schedule is also quite attractive for tournament players, allowing you to participate in up to 8 tournaments simultaneously for comfortable gameplay.
888Poker conducts seasonal series like XL Winter and XL Autumn. The tournament schedule in this room is better suited for beginner players. Typically, there are fewer players, tournaments last less time, and buy-ins are more affordable.
Each room hosts freerolls—free tournaments where you can win real prizes. In addition to regular freeroll schedules, you can find private freerolls from PokerListings, accessible to our site visitors via a password.
Live Poker in Alberta
In Alberta, there are both casinos that provide access to live poker and standalone poker clubs. If you are interested in tournaments, consider the Deerfoot Inn & Casino in Calgary. The casino conducts its own series of poker tournaments. For example, in the fall, you can participate in the Fall Super Stack Series, which features 1 to 3 tournaments daily over two weeks with buy-ins ranging from $180 to $1,500. For regular play, there are 7 cash tables open.
You can find more cash tables at Pure Casino Yellowhead in Edmonton. The poker room at this casino has 13 tables available for 24-hour cash games. The casino conducts seasonal poker series with tournament buy-ins starting at $230 and going up to $2,000.
Overall, Calgary has 9 poker rooms. The most cash tables (14) are at Elbow River Casino, located at 218 18 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1L1, Canada. In addition to Deerfoot Inn & Casino, tournaments can also be found at Pure Casino Lethbridge, located at 3756 2 Ave S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4Y9.
Edmonton has 8 poker rooms. The best play is at Pure Casino Yellowhead. Alternatives include Pure Casino Edmonton and River Cree Casino, located at River Cree Resort and Casino, 300 East Lapotac Boulevard, Enoch, AB T7X 3Y3.
Gambling Tax
For most enthusiasts who play irregularly and do not consider poker as their main source of income, gambling winnings are not taxed. According to Canadian tax law (paragraph 40(2)(f)(ii) of the Income Tax Act), prize money and gambling winnings are not considered taxable income for most players.
However, if you consider poker your profession and your income from the game is significant, the situation changes. Professional players are required to declare their poker income as business income, which means they must pay taxes. In Alberta, tax rates for professional players start at 10% and can reach up to 15%, depending on the amount of income.
If you win money in casinos outside of Canada, for example, in Las Vegas, and the amount of your winnings exceeds $1,200 USD, a 30% tax will be automatically withheld from your winnings. You are required to declare this income in your Canadian tax return, and the withheld tax can be credited when calculating your final tax obligations in Canada to avoid double taxation. This means that although the tax was initially withheld in the USA, you can account for it when calculating taxes in Canada, preventing double taxation.
Problem Gambling
If you or your loved ones are facing gambling-related issues, it is advisable to reach out to specialized support services. They operate for free. You can use the hotline, which is available 24/7. Call 1-866-332-2322. In Alberta, there are several organizations that hold meetings for individuals experiencing such problems, as well as separate meetings for their family members. Consultants from these organizations will help you or your loved ones set limits with gambling providers, explain how to combat addiction, and support you on the path to recovery.
You can seek help from GameSense or MyHealth.
Learn more about the possibility of setting limits on the AGLC website, by phone at 1-844-468-8034, or via email at [email protected]
Famous Players from Alberta
The most successful player from Alberta is Doug Lee, who resides in Calgary. Throughout his poker career, he has won $2,168,485, twice securing victories in WSOP Circuit tournaments and boasting two championship rings. In WSOP tournaments, Doug has placed in the money 23 times. In the Canadian stage of the WSOP Circuit for 2022/23, Doug placed in the money four times and finished 30th in the Main Event of the series.
The second-highest-earning player from Alberta is Thomas Taylor from Chestermere. Throughout his poker career, Thomas has won $2,017,821 in prize money. He also has 2 WSOP Circuit rings and has placed in WSOP tournaments 121 times. In the recently concluded WSOP Circuit series (Calgary 2024), he placed in the money twice. Thomas’s greatest achievement to date is second place in Event #48: $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed) at WSOP 2024, where he earned $175,179.
FAQ
Can I legally play online poker in Alberta?
Yes, online poker is not prohibited by law in Alberta. However, it is not regulated by local authorities, so you play at your own risk on international sites.
What is the minimum age to play online poker in Alberta?
The minimum age for participating in gambling in Alberta is 18 years old.
Can I play on PokerStars from Alberta?
Yes, residents of Alberta can play on PokerStars and other international poker rooms.
Are my winnings taxed?
For enthusiasts, no. Professional players must declare their winnings and pay the appropriate taxes.
How do I deposit funds into my poker account?
You can use credit/debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, or cryptocurrencies, depending on the chosen poker room.
Are there live poker tournaments in Alberta?
Information will be added to the relevant section later.
What is sweepstakes poker?
It is a format where you use virtual coins to participate but can win real prizes. An excellent way to enjoy the game without financial risk.
Is it safe to play on international poker sites?
While many are reliable and have good reputations, they are not regulated by AGLC. It is recommended to play on well-known platforms but always be aware of potential risks.
Can I play poker on a mobile device?
Yes, most major poker rooms offer free apps for iOS and Android. Check App Store for iOS app. Android apps mostly use .apk files from poker sites.
What banking options are available for players from Alberta?
Available options include credit/debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies.
Do online poker sites in Alberta share liquidity with other regions?
Yes, many international poker rooms utilize shared liquidity, allowing a larger pool of players and more games available at any time.
What are the tax implications for playing poker professionally in Alberta?
Professional players must declare their poker income as business income, with tax rates ranging from 10% to 15%, depending on income levels.
Can I set limits to control my gambling on poker sites?
Yes, many poker rooms offer tools to set deposit, loss, and time limits to help manage your gambling activities.
Are there any bonuses available for new players in Alberta?
Yes, many international poker rooms offer welcome bonuses, such as 888Poker’s no-deposit bonus up to $20, to attract new players.
What support services are available for problem gambling in Alberta?
Support services like GameSense and MyHealth provide assistance, including hotlines and support groups, for individuals facing gambling-related issues.
Who are some notable poker players from Alberta?
Doug Lee from Calgary and Thomas Taylor from Chestermere are among the most successful poker players from Alberta, with significant tournament winnings and WSOP achievements.