Alberta’s Bill 48, which the provincial legislature named the iGaming Alberta Act, has passed its third reading and received royal assent.

This sets the scene for the expansion of the province’s online gambling landscape by allowing private operators to legally offer their services and the establishment of the Alberta iGaming Corporation.

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 Current State of Gambling in Alberta

Currently, the province’s only legal online gambling platform is PlayAlberta, operated by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), although many access unregulated gambling sites that offer limited or no player protection.

Ontario saw $1.48 billion in gaming revenue in its first year of allowing multiple operators. However, with Alberta looking to emulate Ontario’s lead in stepping away from the current monopoly model, full implementation of the Act may still be a year away, with an early 2026 launch the most likely scenario.

The legislation aims to enhance consumer protection and social responsibility, while ensuring that gambling revenues remain within the province. It will also mandate that online gambling operators register and adhere to regulations that promote safer gambling practices.

Bill 48: Making Online Gambling Safer

Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, emphasised that the bill is not about encouraging new gamblers, and whilst increased revenues are welcomed, regulation is not intended as a “cash grab.” He went on to add:  

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Our goal is to reduce the size and scope of the illicit market by channelling unregulated operators into a regulated market, where they are regulated, where consumers are protected, and gambling safety is top of mind.

The Act aims to introduce safeguards such as a centralised self-exclusion platform, which will provide online gamblers who want to take a break from gambling with the ability to block or exclude themselves from being able to access online gambling sites voluntarily. 

When questioned about specifics regarding player safety mechanism implementation during a Q&A, Nally responded, stating:

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On day one, there will be system-wide self-exclusion where you will push a button and won't be able to play on any of the online regulated spaces that will include land-based casinos as well as racing entertainment centres.

He went on to stress that while gambling was never risk-free, key social responsibility tools were a proven method of making it safer.

 Support for a Regulated Market

The introduction of a regulated market will enable the government to capture gambling revenue currently lost to unregulated offshore operators and prevent it from leaving Alberta, or even the country. This is revenue that could be reinvested into the province to benefit everyone. 

Paul Burns, CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, commented that the industry is excited about this next step.  The enticing prospect of a fully regulated Alberta iGaming market has already had a positive response, with major players, including FanDuel Canada, BetMGM, Super Group (comprising Betway, Jackpot City, and Spin Casino), and Power Play, expressing a strong interest in the province, building on their positive experiences in Ontario.

A spokesperson for FanDuel Canada expressed the company’s enthusiasm at the prospect of entering Alberta’s newly regulated gambling environment, saying:

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FanDuel Canada is excited and encouraged by the progress we’ve seen in Alberta. We’re proud to be operating responsibly in Ontario since 2022 and look forward to bringing Albertan sports and entertainment fans and casino players unique, Canadian offerings when the time comes.

By following Ontario’s lead, Alberta is both embracing a regulatory model that prioritises consumer safety and social responsibility, while delivering significant economic benefits for the province, dealing Albertans a winning hand.