MGM's LeoVegas Platform Sits Out Alberta's iGaming Launch

^{LeoVegas has confirmed it will not be entering Alberta's regulated iGaming market when it launches on July 13. The platform has been live in Ontario since the province’s regulated market launched in 2022. (Photo: David Esser / Alamy)}

Alberta's regulated iGaming market officially launches on July 13, but not all the initial casino operators will be joining the opening lineup. LeoVegas, the online casino brand owned by Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International, has confirmed it has opted out of the Alberta market, choosing instead to stay focused on its existing operations in Ontario.

The decision comes as a shock as LeoVegas is already well-positioned in the Canadian online gaming market. The LeoVegas Ontario online casino has been around April 2022, along with a BetMGM mobile sportsbook and the Royal Panda online casino platform. With MGM Resorts behind the brand, many expected LeoVegas to be among the operators upon Alberta’s iGaming market launch.

LeoVegas Doubling Down on Ontario, Leaves Door Open for Alberta 

Visitors attempting to sign up from Alberta are currently greeted with a message stating that LeoVegas has "paused new sign-ups in Alberta for the time being."

Daniel de Morais, communications manager for LeoVegas, confirmed the decision directly to Canadian Gaming Business.

“We continuously conduct strategic reviews of our business to ensure we stay competitive, that our strategy supports a clear long-term direction, and that we meet our sustainable growth ambitions," de Morais said. "In line with this, we have decided to stop access to our services from Alberta to fully focus on growing our existing business in Ontario."

The company had already signaled its intent to grow its presence in Canada, even recruiting Toronto Maple Leafs icon Mats Sundin as its brand ambassador for operations in Ontario and Sweden. While the company is stepping away from the Alberta launch, de Morais has acknowledged that things may change, and they could expand their operations down the line.

“Our industry is a notoriously fast-moving one, and as such, it’s always a challenge to speculate on what the future holds,” added de Morais.

Although LeoVegas won't be part of Alberta's initial rollout, the company hasn't ruled out entering the province at a later date.

Smaller Playing Field of Operators Than Expected

Initially, many companies were eager to enter the Alberta market, with more than 70 expressing intent to do so. Since then, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) has approved 28 operators representing 48 gaming brands for launch.

LeoVegas is one of the many online casino operators that have chosen to sit out of the Alberta launch. Fanatics Casino has also confirmed that it will not enter the market on July 13. Fanatics doesn’t have a presence in Canada yet, but it's not completely off the table. Scott McClintic, COO of Fanatics Betting and Gaming, said that Canada would eventually be part of the company’s expansion.

Another notable absence is Grizzly's Quest, which recently disappeared from the list of operators. The platform had previously secured regulatory approval but no longer appears on Alberta's official list of approved operators. No explanation has been provided for its removal. 

Alberta regulators recently bumped up their standards for casino advertising, including adding new restrictions on having cartoon figures in advertisements since they could appeal to minors. However, officials have not formally linked those changes to Grizzly's Quest's absence.

Hard Rock Digital is also absent from Alberta's approved operator list, despite Hard Rock International operating Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. The company has not publicly commented on whether Hard Rock Bet plans to enter Alberta in the future.