bet365 Launches in Alberta's iGaming Market and Becomes CFL Partner

bet365, a global leader in online sports betting and casino services, has officially commenced operations in Alberta's iGaming market. This move marks a significant point in the company's strategic expansion across North America. Already trusted in the Canadian market through its operations in Ontario, bet365 is now bringing its sportsbook and casino offerings to Alberta.

Customers across the province can access bet365's offerings, which include competitive odds, live betting opportunities, and its signature Early Payout Offer. With this offer, players receive their winnings early if their team takes a decisive lead. A comprehensive casino platform is also part of the portfolio.

Numbers and facts

A key feature of the offering is the “Sub On Play On” promotion. This innovative function automatically rolls player prop bets over to the substitute player if the originally wagered player is replaced. This keeps the bet alive for the remainder of the match. In the first ten days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alone, this innovation led to approximately $40 million in payouts globally. The introduction of this promotion in Alberta underscores bet365's commitment to customer satisfaction in the Canadian market.

As part of its investment in the Canadian iGaming market, bet365 has entered into a partnership with the Canadian Football League (CFL). bet365 is now an official Sports Betting and Online Casino Partner of the CFL in Ontario and Alberta. bet365 plans to reach football fans through high-quality CFL content, visible media, and digital storytelling formats. Selected fan experiences are also planned throughout the season.

During the 2026 CFL season, the 113th Grey Cup will take place in Calgary on Sunday, November 15. This event, Canada's largest annual single-day sporting event, provides bet365 with a national stage.

“Canada is a key market for bet365, and cementing our brand’s presence in Alberta marks another milestone in our long-term commitment to Canadian sports fans.” - Trip Stoddard, Head of Development at bet365

Stoddard added that bet365 is proud to work alongside Alberta's regulators. The goal is to provide fans with a trusted platform for sports activities that is responsible and world-class. bet365's participation in Alberta's iGaming market builds on the momentum of the recent “Winning is Everything” brand campaign. This campaign celebrates the brand's commitment to strategic and competitive play while also highlighting its dedication to responsible gaming.

bet365 offers betting on more than 96 sports. Over one million live-streamed events are available annually. The company is globally recognized as a fan favorite and is committed to keeping play fun and safe for all customers. Responsible gaming tools, such as spending and session limits, are integrated directly into the bet365 app to facilitate easy monitoring.

Background

The regulated online gambling market in Alberta opened on July 13. This makes Alberta the second Canadian province, after Ontario, to introduce a competitive iGaming framework. In Canada, the term iGaming encompasses both online sports betting and online casino games. The opening was preceded by years of political discussions and months of preparation. In addition to bet365, other major brands such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars also prepared for market entry. For example, FanDuel plans to donate 50,000 Canadian dollars to the A Dollar A Day Foundation and 30,000 Canadian dollars to the Canadian Red Cross' Alberta Emergency Management Program. DraftKings will donate 150,000 Canadian dollars to Food Banks Alberta at launch. These donations are intended to finance the purchase of over 40,000 pounds of essential food items.

Why it matters for German players

The developments in Alberta show how the regulated online gambling market continues to evolve internationally. However, for German players, this does not mean any direct changes. The German market is governed by the Glücksspielstaatsvertrag 2021 (GlüStV 2021). This treaty has established strict rules for online casinos and sports betting. The Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL) licenses and supervises all legal offerings in Germany. The 1 Euro stake limit per spin on slot machines and the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euros, managed via the central monitoring system LUGAS, remain in place. These measures are designed to ensure player protection in Germany. German players should only play with providers that hold a GGL license. Offers from Malta (MGA) or Curaçao are illegal in Germany and do not offer comparable protection. The Canadian market, although similarly regulated, is an independent system. What happens there has no direct impact on German licenses or regulations.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For online casinos with a GGL license in Germany, nothing changes. They must continue to comply with the requirements of the GlüStV 2021. This means, for example, adhering to the stake and deposit limits, as well as the strict rules on advertising and player protection. The innovations that bet365 is introducing in Canada, such as the “Sub On Play On” promotion, are interesting examples of product development. However, such specific betting features would have to be carefully examined in Germany, especially for casino games, to determine if they comply with the GlüStV. The focus of German regulation is on minimizing gambling addiction and protecting players. This is a stricter approach than in many other markets. Therefore, direct transfers of product features from other jurisdictions are often not possible or require extensive adjustments and approvals by the GGL.