Greentube Goes Live in Alberta: New Regulated Canadian Market Opens Doors

Canada is taking another significant stride toward market liberalization. As of July 13, 2026, Alberta's new regulated iGaming system is officially operational. This marks the province's departure from the long-standing monopoly held by Play Alberta, transitioning instead to a competitive model featuring multiple operators. Greentube, the digital division of Novomatic, secured its position right from the start and is already offering its games on the first licensed platforms.

The new market structure in Alberta follows the lead of Ontario, which adopted a similar path back in 2022. In Alberta, the system is governed by two bodies: The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) acts as the regulator, while the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) manages commercial agreements with operators. With more than 50 registered operators and 22 platforms already live, the industry's interest in the region is immense.

Numbers and facts

The potential of the new market is evident in analyst forecasts. H2 Gambling Capital projects a Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) of CA$1.2 billion for Alberta in the current fiscal year alone. By fiscal year 2028, this figure is expected to climb to CA$1.64 billion. For comparison, Ontario, the pioneer in Canada, saw its GGR grow by 34 percent to CA$4.04 billion in 2025. These figures explain why industry giants like Greentube were eager to be involved from the outset. The supplier had to complete a two-step process, which included regulatory registration with the AGLC and technical certification by an accredited testing facility.

David Bolas, Commercial Director at Greentube, viewed the move as a logical continuation of their North American expansion strategy. The company has been active in Ontario since December 2022, partnering with brands such as BetMGM, PartyCasino, and Bwin. For the Alberta launch, Greentube selected a mix of classics and brand-new titles like Piggy Prizes Wand of Riches 2 and Firecracker Frenzy Money Toad.

"Going live in Alberta on the day the market opens is an important step for Greentube and reflects the strong momentum we are seeing in Canada." - David Bolas, Commercial Director at Greentube

Background

The path to regulation was a lengthy political process. It began in the spring of 2025 with the passage of Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act. This was followed by crucial regulatory adjustments in January 2026. A primary reason for the opening was the high prevalence of unregulated platforms. Prior to the market opening, the government estimated that approximately 70 percent of all online gambling activity in Alberta was conducted via gray markets. The new system aims to channel player traffic into the legal, monitored channel, which not only enhances player protection but also generates tax revenue.

Greentube is leveraging its experience from other Canadian provinces such as British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. There, the company had previously been present through provincial lottery frameworks. The new model in Alberta now allows for direct partnerships with private operators, promising significantly greater reach.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, these international developments have an indirect but important significance. Greentube, as a subsidiary of the Austrian Novomatic Group, is one of the most vital partners for German online gaming halls. Titles like Book of Ra have cult status here. When Greentube expands internationally and clears regulatory hurdles in strict markets like Canada, it reinforces the provider's credibility. German users playing in casinos licensed by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) benefit from this stability. In Germany, particularly strict rules have applied since the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021): a one-euro stake limit per spin for slots, a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros across all providers, and monitoring via the LUGAS system. The expansion into Alberta demonstrates that major software houses like Greentube are prepared to align with strict regulations globally, which bolsters trust in legal offerings in Germany.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a GGL license, the development in Alberta serves as validation of the move away from the black market. Alberta is battling a 70 percent black market share, much like Germany struggled with illegal offerings for years. German licensed providers can rely on developers like Greentube investing their resources into regulated markets. This ensures high-quality games and legally secure integration into local platforms. Furthermore, the Canadian market shows that channeling only works through attractive, legal alternatives. European MGA or Curacao licenses do not offer German players the protection provided by German law or now by Canadian law in Alberta. Anyone wishing to play safely in Germany should therefore rely exclusively on providers on the official GGL whitelist.