From the World Cup to the NHL to the Canadian Football League, the Monday Alberta online sports betting and iGaming launch is happening at a “meaningful moment,” a DraftKings executive told InGame.
“With the World Cup taking place across North America, we’ve seen record-breaking engagement on DraftKings Sportsbook, highlighting the excitement around soccer,” Greg Karamitis, DraftKings executive vice president and general manager of sports, told InGame via email late last week. “Beyond the World Cup, we’ll also be focused on NHL offerings, especially with Edmonton’s championship aspirations and Calgary’s young talent, as well as the CFL, Canadian teams across major leagues in North America like NBA, MLB, and other global sports.”
While the July 13 launch date may have initially seemed like the sports doldrums of summer, it’s coming at a busy time for sportsbooks and sports. The day after launch, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game will take place in Philadelphia and France will play Spain in the first of two World Cup semifinals. Wednesday, Argentina and England will play in the second World Cup semifinal, and over the weekend, the massive global sporting event will wrap up at the Meadowlands.
Stadiums in Toronto and Vancouver hosted early-round World Cup games as Canada is a joint host with Mexico and the U.S.
For major sportsbooks, Alberta is the first new North American market since Missouri regulators launched online wagering Dec. 1, 2025, and only the second since March 2024.
At least 10 sports betting operators, including DraftKings, are set to launch Monday, in what will likely be the biggest sports betting launch, in terms of the number of operators, ever in North America. As of July 3, 49 sports betting and iGaming platforms were registered in the province, which will be the second Canadian province to go live since Parliament decriminalized single-event sports betting in August 2021. Ontario regulators launched operators eight months after that.
DraftKings in the community
DraftKings plans to launch both its signature sportsbook and Golden Nugget Online Gaming, pending regulatory approval, as soon as allowed by Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis. Both platforms have been available for download and preregistration since the spring.
DraftKings’ experience in Ontario and across the U.S. “has shaped how we continue to evolve our offerings and enhance the customer experience,” Karamitis said. “By understanding the passion for local sports and fandom in every jurisdiction where we operate, we’re able to deliver authentic experiences that resonate with fans.”
Among the big events in Alberta this year is the CFL Grey Cup, set for Calgary on Nov. 15. As of Saturday, the Edmonton Elks were leading the West Division.
Ahead of launch, DraftKings had a team on the ground at the Wild Horse Saloon in Calgary for a World Cup watch party. The company also has plans to make a $150,000 donation to Food Banks Alberta, where employees and executives will volunteer. Food Banks Alberta brings food to those in need across the province.
