Alberta has reached a key milestone in its path toward establishing a regulated sports betting market. On May 8, the Alberta legislature’s Committee of the Whole passed Bill 48, officially known as the iGaming Alberta Act, as published on Legislative Assembly of Alberta’s website. Following this, the legislation cleared its third and final reading, setting the stage for the creation of a fully regulated online gambling framework in the province. While the bill’s passage is a significant step forward, the market will not launch until it receives Royal Assent, which requires approval from Alberta’s lieutenant governor.

Setting up a new regulatory body: Alberta iGaming corporation:

Once enacted, the iGaming Alberta Act will pave the way for private online casino and sportsbook operators to enter the market under the regulatory oversight of Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC). This marks Alberta’s move to become Canada’s second province to offer a regulated commercial online gambling market, following Ontario’s launch in 2022.

The iGaming Alberta Act also calls for the establishment of a new government agency, the Alberta iGaming Corporation. This agency will play a central role in managing and overseeing the market, including signing contracts with commercial operators looking to enter the space. It will function similarly to Ontario’s model, where both a government regulator and a market operator work in tandem to ensure effective market functioning.

Although Alberta has passed the legislation, several critical details, including specific licensing procedures, tax rates, and the scope of operator caps, remain under development. Minister Dave Nally, who has championed the bill, emphasized that flexibility in regulation would allow the province to respond quickly to emerging market trends. He argued that embedding too many specifics into the legislation itself could stifle this flexibility, particularly in the fast-evolving online gambling industry.

Despite the strong legislative push, the bill did not go without debate, particularly over consumer protection measures. The opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) raised concerns about the lack of detailed provisions addressing responsible gambling practices and player protections. A package of NDP-proposed amendments, which included more robust consumer safety measures, was ultimately rejected by the legislature.

Nevertheless, the Alberta government has assured the public that player protection will be a key focus in the regulatory framework that will follow the bill’s passage. One positive development is the introduction of a centralized self-exclusion system, which will be implemented across all commercial gambling platforms in the province. This system will help individuals manage their gambling habits by preventing them from accessing gambling sites.

Alberta’s iGaming market to rival Ontario’s success:

Proponents of the bill argue that the introduction of a regulated iGaming market will improve consumer safety, generate new tax revenue, and promote economic development in Alberta. They believe it will also help reduce the volume of gambling activity occurring on unregulated, offshore platforms, which has been a significant concern for Alberta residents. Currently, Play Alberta, the province’s only regulated online gambling platform, holds less than half of the province’s gambling market share, with many players still flocking to offshore sites.

Ontario’s success with its regulated iGaming market is frequently cited as a model for Alberta to follow. Since its commercial market launch in April 2022, Ontario has seen significant revenue growth, with iGaming Ontario reporting a 32% increase in gambling revenue to C$3.2 billion in its third year. The province now hosts over 45 licensed operators, creating a competitive, dynamic market that offers a variety of gambling options to players.

In Alberta, estimates suggest that the province’s gambling market could surpass US$700 million annually, thanks to a strong demographic base that includes Canada’s youngest adult population and the highest per-capita GDP. However, Alberta’s population of approximately 4 million is much smaller than Ontario’s, which has over 14 million residents. This means the market’s potential will be somewhat limited compared to Ontario, though it remains an exciting opportunity for operators and the local economy.

As for when the Alberta sports betting market will officially open, timelines have shifted in recent months. Originally, Minister Nally suggested a launch by late 2024, but this has now been pushed to 2026. Industry insiders, including executives from major operators like FanDuel and BetMGM, have suggested that the market is likely to launch in the first quarter of 2026, as regulatory and licensing processes take time to complete.

Once the Alberta iGaming Corporation finalizes the regulatory framework and starts onboarding operators, the province will officially become only the second Canadian jurisdiction to offer a fully open, competitive iGaming market. Until that time, Play Alberta will remain the sole legal gambling operator in the province, offering limited sports betting options.