Minister Dale Nally of Alberta Gaming confirmates planned early 2026 event, refers to as 'ribbon cutting', for the province's official launch
Fresh Approach
Posted: June 19, 2025, 09:34h. Last Updated: June 19, 2025, 11:50h.
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Want the juice on Alberta's gaming market? You might have left the Canadian Gaming Summit feeling a bit thirsty. Dale Nally, Alberta's minister of service and red tape reduction, dished out some business-friendly tidbits but left the iGaming launch details murky.
Packed into the Canadian Gaming Summit, Nally first chimed in on the Edmonton Oilers' sad Stanley Cup finish before praising Alberta as a go-to destination for business and investment, with low taxes, minimal red tape, affordable living costs, and affordable housing. But it was crickets on the Alberta iGaming market launch specifics.
"You're all antsy to know about our ads, tax rates, and the rest," Nally said. "Well, we haven't spilled those beans just yet. As for the next steps, we're joining consultations. In terms of timeframes, let's just say early next year, we'll be popping the champagne for iGaming in Alberta, and we can't friggin' wait!"
Ontario's Road Map
The three-year-old Ontario regulatory regime serves as a "blueprint," Nally shared, hinting at ongoing conversations between Alberta officials and industry folks from Toronto.
In the fall, Nally plans to huddle up with his Cabinet mates to hash out advertising standards and tax rates. "There's a lot of intense emotion surrounding how athletes should be involved with gambling," he said. "But rest assured, Albertans love a good gamble, and we're all in on making iGaming a killer recreational activity."
Bill 48, already a law, aims to establish the Alberta iGaming Corporation to govern online gambling activities in the province, focusing on consumer protection and responsible play.
iGaming Market Buzz
AGLC, the current overseer of PlayAlberta—Alberta's lone legal, regulated sports betting and online casino platform—will regulate the upcoming iGaming industry. The corporation's board will be led by up to seven directors appointed by Minister Nally.
Lines are forming outside the arena: operators like PointsBet, theScore BET, NorthStar, FanDuel, DraftKings, and more, are ready to take on Alberta's government-run Play Alberta platform when the gates open.
Ontario's market, which went live in April 2022, boasts a 20% tax rate, but as for Alberta, the numbers are still being crunched.
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Canadian gaming companies are eagerly awaiting the launch of the iGaming market in Alberta, as the province is poised to become a dominant player in the sports-betting industry. Mark Keast, a key figure in the Canadian Gaming Summit, mentioned that Alberta could soon follow in Ontario's footsteps, pointing to ongoing discussions between Alberta officials and industry professionals from Toronto.
