NSUS Group-Owned Platform Prepares to Enter Western Canadian Market While BetMGM Secures Exclusive Slot Releases
GGPoker, owned by international iGaming company NSUS Group, which also acquired the World Series of Poker (WSOP) from Caesars Entertainment for US$500 million in October 2024, has secured an iGaming license in Alberta. The prominent poker network, which operates as the world’s biggest by global traffic ahead of primary competitor PokerStars, must now finalize an operating agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) before officially going live in the province.
Navigating Liquidity and Provincial Regulations
Upon launch, online poker players in Alberta will initially be geofenced to compete solely against other players within the province, mirroring the regulatory framework established in Ontario, where GGPoker has been licensed since September 2022.
Because online poker depends heavily on liquidity, accounting for roughly 1% of total handle according to iGaming Ontario financial data, industry stakeholders are eyeing broader regulatory developments. In May, AiGC CEO Dan Keene noted during an SBC Summit Canada panel that Alberta was actively working on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ontario to open liquidity between the two jurisdictions, granting players access to larger pools and bigger tournaments.
Meanwhile, broader legal battles regarding liquidity continue. Following an Ontario Court of Appeal ruling in November 2025 permitting regulated markets to participate in international pooled liquidity, provincial lottery corporations challenged the decision, setting up a Supreme Court of Canada hearing for the fall. Despite ongoing challenges, Keene emphasized strong support for international liquidity, noting its commercial and practical sense.
BetMGM Secures Exclusive Rakin’ Bacon! Slots in Alberta
In separate Alberta iGaming developments, BetMGM has announced a partnership with AGS to secure exclusive first-access rights for popular slot titles in the province. Alberta players can now access three titles from the Rakin’ Bacon! franchise: Rakin’ Bacon! Fu Zhu Bao Bao, Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink Soda Fountain Fortunes, and Rakin’ Bacon! Triple Oink San Shen Zhu.
Rob Passerino, Director of Gaming at BetMGM, commented on the rollout:
“Rakin’ Bacon! has earned a passionate following among slot players, and AGS continues to build on that success with new features, mechanics, and ways to play. These new titles give Alberta players even more variety within a franchise they already know and enjoy, while reinforcing our commitment to bringing sought-after games and exclusive experiences to players at BetMGM.”
