GGPoker Alberta Withdraws Licence Application

GGPoker has officially abandoned its plans to launch in Alberta, despite having secured registration with the province's gambling regulator earlier this year. 

The poker platform confirmed its decision on October 29, 2026, citing Alberta's restrictions on shared poker player pools as the main reason for withdrawing. 

GGPoker will not pursue an Alberta launch under the current framework, although the company has left the door open to entering the province if international player pooling becomes possible.

GGPoker had initially appeared to be preparing for a return to Alberta, having secured its registration with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) on August 12, 2026.

The platform, registered under GG International Limited, previously accepted players from Alberta through its international website but stopped serving the province when its regulated market opened on July 13.

Although GGPoker completed its AGLC registration, it had yet to secure the required agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) before launching.

In a statement, GGPoker confirmed it would no longer pursue its Alberta launch, explaining that the restrictions on shared poker player pools made the market unviable.

Under Alberta's current foundation, online poker players can only compete against others physically located within the province, limiting the number of available opponents and the potential size of tournament prize pools.

GGPoker argued that these restrictions would prevent it from offering the same experience available through its larger international platform. 

Meanwhile, Alberta's regulated online poker market continues to develop, with 888Poker becoming the province's first licensed platform on October 13, followed by PokerStars on FanDuel on November 2.