Canada

HISTORIC DIVISIONAL WEEKEND ON TAP FOR NFL PLAYOFFS Opening odds for NFL’s Divisional Weekend show one the closest combined point spreads in the history of the playoffs, according to TheLines

Published

4 years ago

January 19, 2022

Four NFL Playoff games this weekend feature four of the closest matchups in NFL history, according to analysts TheLines, which tracks odds in the U.S. regulated sports betting market.

This year’s Divisional Weekend shows a combined opening point spread of just 14 points in the four games, according to a consensus of that nation’s largest legal online sportsbooks — including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, and PointsBet. Historical data shows that the lowest combined points for the four-game Divisional Weekend came in 1971 when the four games featured combined odds of 13.5 points.

To put the number in perspective, the average combined point spread for the Divisional Weekend for the past 15 years is 27 points, and the lowest combined point spread in that 15-year span was 21 points last season. The opening odds for this weekend show a sharp contrast coming off the Wild Card Weekend in which five of the six favorites won outright with four of them winning in double-digit blowouts.

The Cincinnati Bengals will play at the Tennessee Titans on Saturday to open the action and the Titans opened as a consensus 3.5-point favorite. The Bengals’ win over the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend marked the first playoff victory in 31 years for the franchise.

The Saturday evening matchup features the Green Bay Packers playing host to the San Francisco 49ers, who were the only underdog to cover and win outright in the Wild Card Weekend. The Packers, who own home-field advantage on the NFC side of the playoffs, had a bye last weekend. And several of their stars — including MVP frontrunner Aaron Rodgers — saw limited action in Week 18, so Green Bay should be well rested.

Sunday opens with the Los Angeles Rams traveling to face the defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams are coming off blowout victories last weekend and oddsmakers have installed the Bucs as 2.5-point favorites to open the week.

The final game of the weekend is perhaps the most anticipated matchup as the Buffalo Bills travel to play the Kansas City Chiefs, with the Chiefs sitting as a 2.5-point favorite. The game features the highest over/under total of the weekend at 55 points.

“All four of these games have the potential to be classic NFL Playoff games and we expect to see bettors pay significant attention to this weekend,” said Brett Collson

lead analyst for TheLines.com. “The home team is the favorite in all four games, but the relatively narrow lines show just how tight these matchups could be.”

The current odds for each playoff team to win Super Bowl LVI as of Tuesday, Jan. 18 (with preseason odds):

Green Bay Packers +375 (+1400)
Kansas City Chiefs +400 (+500)
Buffalo Bills +500 (+1150)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +550 (+650)
Los Angeles Rams +750 (+1500)
Tennessee Titans +750 (+3000)
San Francisco 49ers +1000 (+1400)
Cincinnati Bengals +1200 (+15000)

The consensus point spreads for the Divisional Weekend, as of Tuesday, Jan. 18:

Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans (-3.5); over/under 47
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers (-5.5); over/under 47.5
Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5); over/under 48.5
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5); over/under 55

To access updated NFL playoff lines and Super Bowl odds, and for more analysis, visit TheLines.com/odds/nfl-playoffs.

Canada

Altenar Joins Alberta’s New Regulated iGaming Market

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

4 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.