Canada

2021 World Series of Poker In Review: Week One Highlights And What To Look Forward To

Published

5 years ago

October 8, 2021

The 52nd annual World Series of Poker® (WSOP®) wrapped up its first week of play at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino this week, exceeding participation expectations as the series returns to in-person play this year. With record participation over the weekend, including nearly 13,000 players participating The Reunion No-Limit Hold’em, with 6,000 participants in the event on Sunday alone, and nearly 4,300 players participating in Monday’s No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack, the WSOP opening week delivered some heart-warming wins and exciting starts to the tournament.

Poker fans and interested media can tune into the weekly WSOP virtual press conference on Friday, Oct. 8 at 12 p.m. PST where host Tiffany Michelle will dive deeper into this week’s milestone events with special guests, bracelet winners and more. This week’s virtual press conference can be viewed on the WSOP YouTube channel. Be sure to check out last week’s press conference, with special guests WSOP Vice President, Jack Effel; Senior Vice President, General Manager of CLEAR Sports & Entertainment, Jerome Pickett; and world-renown professional poker players Maria Ho and Daniel Negreanu here.

Week 1 Highlights

George McBride cries tears of joy cashing the $500 The Reunion No-Limit Hold’em

Having only ever played $20 home games with friends, George McBride tried his hand at the WSOP Reunion event on Friday, Oct. 1. After narrowly surviving the money bubble burst, an emotional McBride cashed his winnings for the first-time ever. View the moving video that has already garnered 216.1k views on Twitter, here.

Newcomer Jesse Klein beats out poker veterans, winning $552,182 in the $25k H.O.R.S.E. event

Philadelphia local Jesse Klein took home a gold bracelet during the $25,000 H.O.R.S.E. event, claiming victory against vicious final table representing a combined 22 gold bracelets. Klein specifically came out to Las Vegas for the H.O.R.S.E event and will return home with $552,182 in earnings.

Caesars Palace dealer Jimmy Barnett wins gold bracelet, crowned $500 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold’em champion

Jimmy Barnett, a 36-year-old dealer at Caesars, earned his first WSOP gold bracelet and $39,013 during the very first event of the 2021 WSOP. Originally from California, Barnett moved to Vegas in 2018 to become a dealer at the Golden Nugget and has worked in the industry ever since.

Poker legend Phil Hellmuth makes run for 16th career gold bracelet

Playing 10 hours a day, for three days straight, poker royalty Phil Hellmuth makes his run for his 16th career gold bracelet. Don’t miss live coverage on PokerGo on Friday, Oct. 8 at 4:15 p.m.

What To Look Forward To

Friday, Oct. 8 – Event #17A: MILLIONAIRE MAKER No-Limit Hold’em
Players will face off for a chance at a guaranteed $1,000,000 first place prize in one of WSOP’s most popular events.
Sunday, Oct. 10 – Event #20A: Flip & Go No Limit Hold’em Presented by GGPoker
The popular online format will make its live poker debut at WSOP, offering players a chance to skip the beginning stages of the tournament and get right into the heat of the action.
Wednesday, Oct. 13 – Event #26: Freezeout No-Limit Holdem
One buy-in only. Players will be able to play in the same as the Main Event format at every popular buy-in level from $500 to $5,000.

Canada

Altenar Joins Alberta’s New Regulated iGaming Market

Published

2 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

altenar-joins-alberta’s-new-regulated-igaming-market

Today marks the official launch of Alberta’s regulated online gaming market, a significant milestone for the Canadian iGaming industry and an important step in Altenar’s continued expansion across North America.

Having secured approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), Altenar is fully prepared to support licensed operators entering Canada’s newest regulated jurisdiction with its award-winning sportsbook technology.

The opening of Alberta’s market establishes Canada’s second regulated online gaming province after Ontario, creating fresh opportunities for operators seeking sustainable growth within a regulated framework.

With a strong track record across regulated markets worldwide, Altenar is well positioned to help partners launch competitive sportsbook offerings that prioritize player engagement, operational flexibility and long-term success.

As competition intensifies from day one, operators will be focused on delivering high-quality betting experiences capable of attracting playersAltenar’s scalable sportsbook solution, extensive customization capabilities and regulatory expertise provide operators with the tools needed to compete effectively in this evolving market.

Matthew Ferrara, Sales Manager at Altenar, said:

“The launch of Alberta’s regulated market is an important moment not only for the province but for the wider Canadian industry. Regulation creates opportunities for operators to build trusted brands while giving players access to safer, more transparent betting environments.

“We’re excited to support our partners as they enter this new market. Success in Alberta will depend on offering a premium player experience from the very beginning – fast, reliable technology, competitive betting content and the flexibility to adapt as the market evolves. Those are exactly the areas where Altenar delivers value, and we look forward to helping operators grow sustainably in one of North America’s most promising new jurisdictions.”

Alberta represents another important milestone in Altenar’s North American growth strategy as the company continues to expand its presence in regulated markets, providing operators with the technology and expertise needed to succeed in increasingly competitive environments.

The post Altenar Joins Alberta’s New Regulated iGaming Market appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Canada

DraftKings Set to Launch its Online Sportsbook and Casino in Alberta

Published

4 hours ago

July 13, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

draftkings-set-to-launch-its-online-sportsbook-and-casino-in-alberta

DraftKings is set to launch its top-rated online sportsbook and casino, along with its Golden Nugget Online Gaming brand, in Alberta on July 13. Alberta will become the second Canadian province and the 34th jurisdiction across North America where DraftKings Sportsbook is available. With the launch, DraftKings Casino will be available in five U.S. states and Golden Nugget Online Gaming casino in four U.S. states, with both brands available in Alberta and Ontario in Canada.

“We’re thrilled to launch DraftKings Sportsbook and DraftKings Casino, as well as Golden Nugget Online Gaming in Alberta and continue expanding our presence in Canada. Alberta is home to a passionate sports fan base, and we’re excited to bring customers across the province our industry-leading sports betting and online casino experiences. Launching during one of the biggest moments in global sports, with the World Cup taking place across North America, makes this an especially exciting time to welcome Albertans to DraftKings,” said Greg Karamitis, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Sports at DraftKings.

To celebrate the launch in Alberta, DraftKings employees will volunteer with Food Banks Alberta and present a $150,000 donation to the organization. The funding will purchase over 40,000 pounds of essential food items to be distributed through Food Banks Alberta’s network of member food banks, ensuring resources reach communities both large and small throughout Alberta. This donation will help provide essential food support, including high demand items like fruits and vegetables and baby formula to individuals and families facing hunger, while strengthening local food banks’ ability to meet growing demand.

Eligible customers in Alberta will have access to DraftKings’ comprehensive suite of sports betting and online casino offerings. From same-game parlays, live in-game wagering, and special odds boosts on DraftKings Sportsbook to thousands of casino games, including fan-favorite titles like “Wheel of Fortune – Triple Extreme Spin,” exclusive slot titles, as well as progressive jackpots across Golden Nugget Online Gaming and DraftKings Casino, DraftKings delivers one of the industry’s most robust and engaging entertainment experiences.

DraftKings leads the industry in responsible engagement by promoting customer awareness and use of budget and control tools and resources like deposit limits, cool off periods, and self-exclusion to help customers have a fun source of entertainment with a brand they can trust.

The post DraftKings Set to Launch its Online Sportsbook and Casino in Alberta appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Canada

High 5 Games Expands Across Alberta’s Open iGaming Market Following AGLC Supplier Approval

Published

3 days ago

July 10, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

high-5-games-expands-across-alberta’s-open-igaming-market-following-aglc-supplier-approval

High 5 Games, the creator of premium casino content for the land based, online and social gaming markets announced it has secured supplier approval from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), extending its games beyond Play Alberta to all licensed operators in the province’s newly opened commercial iGaming market.

High 5 Games has entertained Alberta players since 2024 through Play Alberta, the province’s government operated gaming platform, where titles such as DaVinci DeluxeWays, Billionaire’s Bank, Green Machine and more have become established player favourites. With Alberta’s commercial market now open, that same proven portfolio is available to all licensed operators entering the province.

Alberta’s commercial iGaming market will be opening on July 13, 2026, making it the second Canadian province after Ontario to welcome private sector operators. Overseen by AGLC and the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC), the market launched with nearly 50 registered operator brands, one of the most anticipated regulated market openings in North America this year.

The approval extends High 5 Games’ regulated North American footprint, which includes New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia. Alberta players will gain access to High 5’s catalogue of player favourite titles, including DaVinci DeluxeWays, Billionaire’s Bank, Green Machine and other titles through launch partnerships with operators.

“Alberta players already know and love our games through Play Alberta, that is a head start no newcomer to this market can claim. With the open market live, every operator in the province can now offer their players the award winning High 5 titles they have been playing for years, from day one.” says Tony Singer, CEO at High 5 Games.

High 5 Games’ content is certified across New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, Ontario, British Columbia and the studio has developed more than 300 games over three decades of game making.

The post High 5 Games Expands Across Alberta’s Open iGaming Market Following AGLC Supplier Approval appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.