Rivers Casino and Entertainment Centre
The central gambling spot in Fort McMurray is Rivers Casino and Entertainment Centre, at 9825 Hardin Street, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4G7. Phone: 780-790-9739. Long-time residents still call it Boomtown Casino, the previous brand name before the rebrand. The property had been operated by Gamehost Inc. for years, and industry reports mention a later acquisition by Indigenous Gaming Partners and Pure Casino Entertainment, completed in 2026.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue name | Rivers Casino and Entertainment Centre |
| Former name | Boomtown Casino |
| Address | 9825 Hardin Street, Fort McMurray, AB T9H 4G7 |
| Regulator | Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) |
| Minimum age | 18 years |
| Phone | 780-790-9739 |
Slot play is spread across more than 400 machines. Progressive jackpot titles from Aristocrat and IGT sit beside standard video slots and reels. On the live floor, the main table lineup covers roulette, blackjack, free-bet blackjack, Chase the Flush, Three Card Poker and baccarat. Poker cash games run on a schedule: usually from 4 p.m. on Fridays, and from 6 p.m. on the other listed days.
Approximate hours for table games:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday - Thursday | 2:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. |
| Friday - Saturday | 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m. |
| Sunday | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. |
Calling ahead is advisable before making a trip. Hours do change from time to time, and third-party listings are not always updated when that happens.
Online Gambling in Alberta - What Is Actually Live
Regulated online gambling in Alberta is channelled through PlayAlberta.ca, the official platform operated under the authority of AGLC. That is the only provincial site run directly by the regulator. For in-person sports betting, wagers go through Sport Select terminals and slips at authorized retailers in Alberta, and that includes Fort McMurray outlets.
Industry monitoring sites often name the following sportsbook brands as being active in the Alberta market:
- bet365
- BetMGM
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- Caesars
- BetRivers
- PointsBet
- theScore Bet
Before opening an account with any operator, the licensing status should be checked against current AGLC information at aglc.ca. Industry coverage mentioned around 47 online operators active in Alberta in 2026, but this figure is not stable, and AGLC’s own register is the only source that actually matters for legality.
Getting Started on PlayAlberta.ca
PlayAlberta.ca uses geolocation checks. Access from outside Alberta is blocked at the login stage, not just in the terms and conditions. Alberta residents generally go through a simple onboarding flow, with one step that often slows people down.
Typical account setup looks like this:
- Open a browser window and enter PlayAlberta.ca in the address bar.
- On the homepage, select “Register” or “Sign Up”.
- Type in a current Alberta residential address.
- Provide your date of birth - legal minimum is 18.
- When asked, upload or submit government-issued photo ID for verification.
- After approval, go to the Cashier section and choose a payment method.
- Enter how much you want to deposit and confirm the transaction.
- Use the main menu to move into Casino, Slots, or Sports and place your first bets.
The identity check is where new players most frequently get stuck. Having valid ID scanned or ready before starting registration keeps the account from sitting in a pending or limited status for longer than necessary.
Retail Sport Select Betting in Fort McMurray
Sport Select tickets can be bought at approved retail locations inside the city. These are the same lottery-style outlets that handle other provincial products, but with additional authorization from AGLC.
A basic in-person betting routine usually goes like this:
- Locate an authorized Sport Select retailer; look for AGLC signage at convenience stores or lottery kiosks.
- Pick up the current Sport Select game card or ask staff which sports and bet types are active.
- Choose the sport, event, and market type, such as point spread, total, or moneyline where those are on offer.
- Fill in the selection slip fully and check it once.
- Decide on the stake amount within the posted minimum and maximum limits.
- Hand the slip to the clerk, pay, and take the printed ticket.
- After the event settles, return to that retailer to validate the ticket and collect any payout.
Limits vary by game style and outlet policy. One rigid rule applies everywhere: if the ticket is badly damaged or lost, it cannot be cashed, and there is no exception process.
