Alberta Plans Legislative Action to Legalize Independent Sports Betting and Online Gaming Operations.

Alberta's online gaming industry is about to level up with the introduction of the iGaming Alberta Act, or Bill 48. This groundbreaking legislation aims to pave the way for a more competitive and regulated online gaming environment in the province.

Currently, Play Alberta, operated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), is the only authorized iGaming platform. However, the popularity of unregulated "grey market" operators is a growing concern, with these offshore gambling sites accounting for over half of the province's online gambling activity.

Unleashing a Regulated Environment

To combat the grey market, Bill 48 proposes the establishment of a regulated environment. This move would allow private operators to secure licenses and operate legally under the province's watchful eye. This model follows Ontario's approach, which launched its regulated iGaming market in 2022.

The primary goal is to ensure a safer gaming environment for existing players rather than encouraging new ones. By regulating private-sector operators, the province intends to implement enhanced consumer protections and responsible gambling measures.

Dale Nally, Alberta's Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, emphasized this point: "Our goal is not to create new gamblers, but to make existing online gambling safer."

If the iGaming Alberta Act is approved, it could potentially welcome multiple licensed operators to the province's iGaming market, providing Albertans with a wider range of secure and transparent online gambling options.

The Alberta iGaming Corporation (AIC) will be in charge of overseeing this competitive market, licensing private operators for online sportsbooks, casinos, and poker rooms. The AIC will set licensing terms, operational rules, and enforce compliance, with a focus on player safety through encryption protocols and game fairness audits.

The act aims to channel grey market activity into a regulated framework, with tax revenue from licensed operators reportedly funding public services. Operators will need to negotiate contracts with the AIC, with ongoing debates about revenue-sharing formulas and licensing fees during committee review.

Regulated operators will be required to implement responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion programs. The AIC and AGLC will also ensure transparency in game fairness, ensuring that advertised RTP (return-to-player) rates match actual performance.

However, critics have pointed out unresolved issues around advertising standards and the lack of detailed responsible gambling protocols in the bill’s current form. The government’s focus on “getting it right over fast” suggests a phased implementation, with a projected launch between late 2025 and mid-2026.

This legislation positions Alberta as Canada's second province with a competitive iGaming market, mirroring Ontario's success while aiming to curb unregulated operators.

The iGaming Alberta Act, if approved, could invite multiple licensed operators to Alberta's online gaming market, offering a wider range of secure and transparent options for Albertans.
The Alberta iGaming Corporation (AIC) will oversee this competitive market, ensuring enhanced consumer protections and responsible gambling measures through licensing of private operators for online sportsbooks, casinos, and poker rooms.
To combat unregulated grey market operators and make online gambling safer, the province plans to launch a regulated iGaming market, similar to Ontario's approach, and will concentrate on implementing protections such as deposit limits and self-exclusion programs.

Alberta Plans Legislative Action to Legalize Independent Sports Betting and Online Gaming Operations.