Century Casinos Opts Not to Enter Alberta iGaming Market

The launch of legal Alberta iGaming has seen no shortage of providers enter the market. But not everyone is coming along for the ride.

Century Casinos, which operates four brick-and-mortar casinos in Alberta, has decided it won’t pursue an iGaming license. As a retail casino, Century Casinos had the ability to register for a license and offer its own private iGaming platform. But with its Canadian properties struggling, the Colorado-based company is instead looking at divesting from its portfolio.

On a recent earnings call, Co-CEO Peter Hoetzinger said that Century is looking at its options to possibly sell its two casinos and two racino properties. With that taking up its focus, it’s not planning to enter the iGaming market.

However, Century is unlikely to leave Alberta completely, at least in the short term. Hoetzinger said that while Century won’t join the Alberta iGaming market, it does plan to offer retail sports betting at its properties. That could turn into online sports betting, or it could simply be a branding opportunity with an existing online partner.

Century has a similar arrangement at its property in Cape Girardeau, Mo. That U.S. state legalized sports betting in Dec. 2025, and Century added a sportsbook branded with online partner BetMGM.

What Does the Alberta iGaming Market Look Like?

In the month since the market went live, more than 30 providers have already come under the legal umbrella. The province expects $76 million CAD in tax revenue in its first year of legal iGaming, and numbers will likely grow from there.

That makes for a competitive space, and it’s one that providers have to think about before entering. With Century’s focus elsewhere, building a competitive iGaming platform isn’t a likely occurrence at this time.

What Does Century’s Future in Alberta Hold?

With Century opting not to join the Alberta iGaming market, it’s likely to do one of two things. The first is to secure a sportsbook partnership. If it can get a sportsbook partner, especially one who’s established in the Alberta online sports betting market, it makes itself a familiar name to many consumers.

That provides multiple benefits, as it builds customer loyalty and makes itself more attractive to buyers. That leads into Century’s second action: finding a buyer for its casinos.

Even though revenue rose at all four casinos in Alberta, so did expenses. Century exceeded $1 million USD in losses last year, which isn’t sustainable moving forward.

If Century does find a buyer, Alberta iGaming participants might see a new entry after all. Purchasing the Century properties would allow a new provider entry into the iGaming market, if it chooses to register with the government. However, such an entry would require a purchase from someone not currently operating in Alberta. If Century sells to a provider already in the market, or to a sportsbook partner, bettors in Alberta likely won’t see any new entrants from this space.