Alberta Advances Towards an Unrestricted, Competitive Market for Online Gaming
Title: Alberta's iGaming Bill Passes Key Hurdle, Poised to Launch Competitive Market in Early 2026
Posted on: May 8, 2025, 07:48h.
Last updated on: May 8, 2025, 07:48h.
Mark Keast Read More|Canadian Gaming|iGaming|Las Vegas|Sports Betting|NFL|Boxing|UFC
The highly anticipated iGaming Alberta Act is a hair's breadth away from becoming law, having breeze through key legislative stages in Alberta, Canada. The countdown to the kickoff of Alberta's competitive iGaming market has begun, with many market insiders predicting a debut in the first quarter of 2026.
Regal Nod Awaited
Bill 48, having successfully passed third reading in the provincial legislature, now awaits the royally-favored seal of approval, popularly known as Royal Assent. With the United Conservative Party holding the majority, the bill's passage was as smooth as silk.
In essence, Bill 48 will establish the Alberta iGaming Corporation, charged with overseeing Alberta's regulated online gambling operations, focusing on consumer protection and responsible play. As it stands, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC) oversees PlayAlberta, the province's sole legal and regulated platform for sports betting and online casinos.
The iGaming Corporation will be governed by a board of up to seven directors, personally appointed by the Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, Dale Nally.
Alberta's Potential Billion-Dollar Industry
The Alberta market, anticipated to hit the ground running in early 2026, will join Ontario as the second province to unleash a competitive private operator regulatory regime.
One of the upcoming challenges, post Royal Assent, revolves around tax rates. Ontario, which initiated operations in April 2022, maintains a tax rate of 20%.
According to Ron Segev, founder of Segev LLP, one of Canada's finest igaming legal minds, who recently opened shop in Calgary, Alberta stands to become a billion-dollar industry by the end of its first year if it embraces an open-market approach and a regime that permits advertising responsibly.
Significant Players Stepping Up
During its inaugural year, Ontario recorded a staggering CAD $82.7 billion in wagers and CAD $3.2 billion in gross gaming revenue for Fiscal Year 2024/25, marking increases of 31% and 32%, respectively, compared to the year prior.
While we won't see identical figures due to population disparities, we can anticipate equally remarkable percentage growth in Alberta, with the possibility of surpassing estimates. Data reveals that Albertan players tend to have higher player values and wager at higher amounts, lending credence to optimistic projections.
Executives from leading iGaming operators, eager to capitalize on the burgeoning Alberta market, have indicated their intentions to apply for Alberta licenses. This means that soon, popular brands like DraftKings, PointsBet Canada, NorthStar, FanDuel, and BetRivers will offer their platforms to Alberta bettors, going head-to-head with PlayAlberta.
Sources:
[1]https://www.thestar.com/business/mikey-he discreet/2025/05/06/playalberta-to-face-challenge-from-other-provincial-sports-betting-options.html
[2] https://financialpost.com/personal-finance/gambling/i-gaming-alberta-act-clears-third-reading-heres-what-its-meant-for-online-gambling-in-the-province
[3] https://www.theglobebandecorate.com/business/global-news/alberta-preparing-for-launEnter the enrichment data where it logically fits in the article:
Alberta's iGaming Alberta Act is on the verge of becoming law, having recently passed key legislative stages in Alberta, Canada[2]. The timeline for its implementation and launch of a competitive iGaming market in Alberta is expected to be either late 2025 or more likely early 2026[1].
After receiving Royal Assent, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will begin setting up the iGaming Corporation, drafting detailed operational regulations, and finalizing operator licensing agreements[3]. The roll-out will likely be phased, similar to Ontario’s experience[1], where initial operators are vetted carefully before the market scales up[1].
Alberta will become the second Canadian province (after Ontario) to open an open, regulated, competitive iGaming market where private operators can legally offer online sports betting and casino games[3][4]. The new legislation dismantles Alberta's previous monopoly held by Play Alberta, diversifying the province’s gambling sector and introducing competitive dynamics that could drive innovation, choice, and consumer protection[5].
Major operators like DraftKings, PointsBet Canada, NorthStar, FanDuel, and BetRivers are expected to participate actively in the new Alberta market[4], their involvement anticipated to accelerate the growth and sophistication of Alberta's iGaming market[4], providing Albertans with access to a wide array of sportsbook and casino options from established brands[3][4].
While tax rates are yet to be determined, the Ontario market, which launched in April 2022, has a tax rate of 20%[1]. With a potential to attract billions in investments and revenues, the Alberta iGaming market presents a golden opportunity for the province’s economy[5]. With the right strategies and regulations in place, the Alberta market could easily overtake Ontario as the leading iGaming market in Canada[1].
- Alberta's iGaming Alberta Act is on the verge of becoming law, having recently passed key legislative stages in Alberta, Canada[2].
- After receiving Royal Assent, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will begin setting up the iGaming Corporation, drafting detailed operational regulations, and finalizing operator licensing agreements[3].
- Alberta will become the second Canadian province (after Ontario) to open an open, regulated, competitive iGaming market where private operators can legally offer online sports betting and casino games[3][4].
- Major operators like DraftKings, PointsBet Canada, NorthStar, FanDuel, and BetRivers are expected to participate actively in the new Alberta market[4], their involvement anticipated to accelerate the growth and sophistication of Alberta's iGaming market[4].
- With the right strategies and regulations in place, the Alberta market, if it opens in early 2026 as predicted, could easily overtake Ontario as the leading iGaming market in Canada[1].
