PointsBet Sportsbook Alberta Review: Is PointsBet Legit?
PointsBet is a sportsbook that we’ve had our eye on for a while, as it’s a staple in Canadian betting. Now that PointsBet has arrived in Alberta, we have been exploring the features in our PointsBet sportsbook review.
As it’s only recently rolled out in Alberta, we have tested the site to bring you everything you need to know about its features. That way, you will get a glimpse into how the site works and whether or not it’s the right pick for you. Ready to get going? Let’s unravel PointsBet one feature at a time.
- Multi-awarding-winning sportsbook
- 24/7 customer support
- Canada-specific payment methods
- Licensed and regulated in Alberta
- Limited payment methods
First off, what makes PointsBet sportsbook in Alberta stand out?
Let’s take a moment to talk about what makes PointsBet so different from other sportsbooks in Alberta. While it’s new to Alberta, it’s been a popular Canadian sportsbook for a few years now. Back in 2021 and 2022, PointsBet won Sports Betting Operator of the Year. Then, in 2023, PointsBet was a Gold Winner for Best Product Innovation.
Speaking of innovation, this is the kicker. PointsBet builds all of its own technology. That’s right, PointsBet doesn’t outsource anything. This means that they are in control of the quality of absolutely everything. As a result, bettors experience faster apps and tailored features that are designed for how Canadians bet. If something breaks (which is rare), PointsBet can jump straight into action to get it rectified. You can see how PointsBet won an innovation award!
Let’s check out the website performance of PointsBet in Alberta
The overall usability of the website is super important, which is why we pay close attention to it in all of our reviews, like our DraftKings sportsbook review, for instance. First off, the PointsBet Alberta website has an eye-catching black, white, and red colour scheme. It’s not all about the appearance, but it’s nice to see a pleasant, modern site.
Now, onto what really matters - how the site works! You can open a new account by tapping the buttons at the top of the screen, which is also where you will find the bet slip once you have logged in. To make things even easier, you can also access your bet slip through the pop-up at the bottom of any page you are on.
As for filtering and finding your favourite sports, PointsBet has made light work of moving around. As PointsBet offers a large selection of sports, we appreciated the handy search tools, including the search bar and the full A-Z sports list. We even found tabs for individual leagues, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and more.
When it comes to speed, PointsBet is exceptional. We didn’t have any issues with anything loading. In our experience during this PointsBet sportsbook review, each page loaded quickly, and even the in-play betting was free from glitches, offering a smooth betting experience from the get-go.
The PointsBet app is perfect for on-the-go sports betting
Many sports bettors prefer to place bets from their mobile device, even if they are relaxing at home. So, having apps or mobile-friendly sites is super important, which is why you will find an overview of the mobile betting options in our other reviews, as you might have seen in our recent FanDuel sportsbook review. Thankfully, PointsBet have provided a solution for everyone, offering a mobile-optimized site and apps.
The PointsBet sportsbook Alberta app is available for both iOS and Android devices, so you can install it directly from the respective app stores. Whether you prefer to wager on mobile while on the go or at home, the apps provide the ideal solution. Instead of being tied to a desktop PC or laptop, your mobile apps can go everywhere with you. In our experience, no features or sports betting markets are missing, so you will get the full PointsBet wagering experience.
Weighing up the payment methods at PointsBet sportsbook in Alberta
PointsBet offers a wide range of banking options that are absolutely perfect for Canadians. Whether you are making a deposit or withdrawal, you will find a selection of payment methods that most Canadians already use day-to-day. While the choice is pretty good, it would be great to see a few more options added to widen the variety. But you will soon see that what’s available is still great:
Deposits at PointsBet
Just as we found in our Betway sportsbook review, PointsBet has come up with a fully tailored list of payment methods, based on what Canadians really want. Check out a list of deposit methods you will encounter at PointsBet in Alberta:
- Visa/Mastercard
- Interac e-transfer
- Trustly
- Google Pay
- Apple Pay
- PayPal
Most of the deposit methods have a minimum limit of $10, which keeps things seamless. However, PayPal does have a smaller deposit limit of $5, which makes it ideal for those on a smaller budget or perhaps casual bettors. All deposits are processed instantly, so you don’t need to wait for your funds to arrive. Plus, there are absolutely no transaction fees applied, either.
Withdrawals at PointsBet
PointsBet works the same as most other sportsbooks, meaning that the site prefers you to use the same payment methods for withdrawals as you did for your deposits. Of course, this isn’t always possible, as the withdrawal methods list isn’t the same. Here are a few of the payment methods you will have to choose from:
- Interac e-transfer
- Online banking via Trustly
- PayPal
For the most part, withdrawals have a minimum limit of $5, which makes them super accessible. Plus, 90% of withdrawals are processed automatically with no transaction fees applied. Not only does the automated system speed up your payouts, but it also makes the whole process a lot smoother in comparison to some other leading sportsbooks. The withdrawal speed varies depending on which method you choose, but you can expect the following timeframes:
| Withdrawal Method | Payout Speed |
| Interac e-transfer | Within two hours |
| Trustly | Up to two working days |
| PayPal | Within 30 minutes |
Ranking the level of customer support at PointsBet
Offering solid customer support is vital for all sportsbooks. After all, who’s going to stick around after failing to get adequate support to deal with basic queries or serious issues? After one bad experience, most bettors would generally exit the site for good. Well, you don’t need to worry about that happening here, as our experience with the support at PointsBet has been second to none.
We had 24/7 support from real people. Not bots, real humans who are ready to offer help whenever you are online. First off, there’s a fantastic Help Centre available. This is packed with all sorts of FAQs and articles on topics like Deposits, Withdrawals, Getting Started, Responsible Gambling, Betting Basics, and more. Based on what we found, this is the ideal place to check initially, as it can resolve many basic queries, especially for newcomers who want an overview of how a few things work.
If you need proper 1-2-1 support, the live chat service is the main event. Live chat is online 24/7 and can be accessed by tapping the icon that’s sitting in the corner of the website or app. It’s the quickest way to get answers, as the team is ready to help around the clock. When we tested the live chat service, we were connected with a live agent within a minute, who resolved our queries within a few minutes, tops.
If you prefer to sit back and wait for a response to come in, especially if your query isn’t urgent, email support is ideal. Just tap the support button in the sidebar, and you will be given the email support address. There’s also telephone support, if you ever want to speak with a real human directly. After all, some issues are easier to explain verbally, so telephone support saves the day here.
Is PointsBet legal in Alberta? It sure is, so here’s a recap on the situation
PointsBet was authorized to roll out in Alberta by the AGLC (Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis), which acts as the regulator. PointsBet was then able to obtain a license from the AiGC (Alberta iGaming Corp). Essentially, both of these make it perfectly legal for the site to operate in Alberta, so you will notice the certifications right across the website and in the footer.
Holding a valid license already indicates that PointsBet offers a safe betting environment. After all, if PointsBet sportsbook in Alberta wasn’t deemed to be safe or fair any longer, the license would be revoked. In addition to having a license, PointsBet has adopted a wide range of security features. For starters, you are protected with SSL encryption, which keeps your banking details and personal information secure.
When it comes to responsible gambling, PointsBet is completely on point. You can use a wide range of tools that help you stay in control, including:
- Deposit limits
- Spending limits
- Wagering and loss limits
- Cool-off period
- Self-exclusion
It doesn’t stop there, either. PointsBet goes out of its way to make sure that you understand how everything works. This is why you will find the Privacy Policy, House Rules, T&Cs, and other helpful documents at the bottom of the website. Practically everything you need to know is sitting in the footer of the site or sidebar, ready for whenever you may need it, just as we found during our Caesars sportsbook review.
Conclusion: Recapping the main points from this PointsBet sportsbook review
PointsBet might have only recently joined Alberta, but it’s a leading sportsbook across Canada, so the operator has had some time to learn exactly how Canadians bet to offer the features that really make a difference, such as specific payment methods by working with Canadian banks. After having such a positive experience, we can see why Alberta residents are going to love PointsBet.
What stood out to us was the website’s design, which made it super easy to scroll through or search for sports in the massive line-up. Most notably, the search bar and A-Z list allow you to find your favourite sport or event within seconds. There’s also solid customer support, especially the live chat, where you are connected to a real human incredibly fast.
There is a little room for improvement, as with all sportsbooks. For instance, we would like to see a few more payment methods added to grow the variety a little further. That said, the available methods are spot on.
Overall, we were very impressed with PointsBet sportsbook in Alberta and highly recommend it to any avid sports fan or newbie. All that’s left for you to do is to click the promotional banners on this page and complete the registration form to create your account.