How to Self-Exclude and Block Sports Betting in Alberta

What changed in Alberta in 2026

Until July 2026, PlayAlberta was the only regulated online gambling site in the province. On July 13, 2026, Alberta’s regulated iGaming market went live, and licensed private operators such as DraftKings and FanDuel started taking bets legally alongside PlayAlberta. That means more betting apps and more advertising, during every Oilers and Flames game.

Step 1: Self-exclude through AGLC

Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) runs a centralized self-exclusion program. One sign-up covers AGLC-licensed online platforms and land-based venues such as casinos. Licensed operators must connect to it, so your existing accounts are suspended, you can’t open new ones, and their marketing stops.

You can enrol online, by phone or in person at a GameSense Info Centre, and you don’t have to explain why. Terms currently run from six months to three years; check the AGLC site for the current options.

What AGLC self-exclusion doesn’t cover

• Offshore and crypto casinos that aren’t licensed in Alberta, such as Stake or Roobet.
• Prediction markets and sweepstakes sportsbooks.
• Your phone itself. The apps stay installed and the websites still load; you just can’t bet with licensed operators.

Step 2: Block betting on your iPhone

1. Allow Screen Time access. In Freeroll setup, tap Allow Screen Time access and approve Apple’s prompt. Freeroll uses Apple’s own Screen Time system, with no VPN.
2. Choose the apps. In Apple’s picker, select PlayAlberta, DraftKings, FanDuel and any other betting apps you have.
3. Turn on the Safari blocker. Open Settings → Apps → Safari → Extensions → Freeroll and turn on Allow Extension. On iOS 17, it’s Settings → Safari → Extensions. This applies the 7,000-domain list in Safari. The list includes playalberta.ca, proline.ca, betmgm.ca, bet365.ca, betway.ca, powerplay.com and sportsinteraction.com, plus offshore sites like stake.com and bodog.eu.
4. Add risky times. Set game nights and paydays in Risky times so blocks tighten when you’re most likely to bet.
5. Decide how hard it is to undo. Anything that weakens protection, such as turning blocks off, waits 48 hours and can be cancelled at any time. In Protect → Anti-bypass you can give a trusted person a 4-digit Partner PIN instead; without it, those changes wait 72 hours. Maximum Lockdown, which stops any app from being deleted, is optional.

Block the money, not just the phone

Phone blocks don’t cover a laptop or a friend’s phone. Two things work on every device because they stop the money and the accounts:

• Ask your bank for a gambling block. Many banks can decline gambling transactions on your debit and credit cards (merchant category code 7995). Not every bank offers it, and some merchants are miscoded, so don’t rely on it alone.
• Self-exclude. In the US, self-exclusion runs state by state; the National Council on Problem Gambling lists each state’s program. In Canada, see the Ontario and Alberta guides.

Help in Alberta

Alberta Health Services’ Addiction Helpline is free, confidential and open 24/7 at 1-866-332-2322. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988. More lines are on our helplines page.

Common questions