Albertans have been waiting for more online gambling and betting options since 1985 when the Canadian government left online gambling regulation to provincial governments. But residents of Alberta have been stuck playing the waiting game with the provincial government and regulators.
Before Bill 48 (Alberta iGaming Act) came into existence and after single-event wagering was approved in 2021, the provincial government had intentions of expanding its sports betting options in 2022. With many Albertan bettors unsatisfied with the limited offerings from the single government-run site, PlayAlberta, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC) announced plans to allow two private sports betting companies to operate within the province.
But those plans didn’t see the light of day. Rather, lawmakers, led by Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction minister Dale Nally, held discussions about introducing an Ontario-style iGaming model in Alberta. Since then, grey market operators and punters are still in limbo, waiting for actual timelines for market launch and clear regulatory standards to follow.
The AGLC Has Been Ready to Move Since 2022
PlayAlberta launched its online casino platform on October 1, 2020 — a pretty big milestone, since it’s the only government-run gaming site in the province. A year later, the site expanded to include sports betting, which makes perfect sense given that the province is home to pretty passionate fans of the Oilers, Flames, and Stampeders.
However, to keep that gambling revenue in the province, the AGLC put out a Request for Proposals (RFP), inviting private operators to join the party. The plan was to get it all wrapped up by Jan 31, 2023, but was later pushed back to Feb. 14 so bidders would have a bit more time to get their bids in order. The plan was to approve two private sportsbook operators who could set up shop at the big sports venues and possibly even have mobile apps.
At the time, AGLC officials said this was a way to include private sportsbook options and still have all the regulatory control they wanted. But nearly two years after the RFP closed, and eight months after passing Bill 48, sports bettors in Alberta are a bit restless waiting for the iGaming market rollout.
Bill 48 Targets Alberta’s Grey Market
Bill 48, better known as the Alberta iGaming Act, marked a significant milestone when it passed the third reading and received Royal Assent in May. Now, Alberta’s provincial government can set up an Ontario-style market where private online casino and sports betting operators can acquire licenses and offer their services to Albertans legally.
On paper, it means that the new Alberta iGaming Corporation will take the reins in managing the day-to-day iGaming operations within the province. Much like iGaming Ontario, the Corporation will oversee the province’s agreements with private gaming companies, ensuring a safe gambling environment for residents. It will also be responsible for the proper reconciliation of gambling revenues, among other responsibilities.
Alternatively, the AGLC will be responsible for licensing and regulating private gaming companies — a big change from the old system where the government body had a monopoly.
According to officials, this is all about cracking down on a big grey market situation in Alberta. Research has shown 90% of Albertans who bet online have used unregulated or offshore sites at some point. This is a major factor in why the government is keen on developing a regulated market and attracting as much gambling revenue as possible while also employing robust player protections.
Under the new Alberta iGaming Act, the province will require operators to get a license before permitting them to offer their services to its residents. That way, it can legally enforce advertising rules and tighten up anti-money-laundering rules. This is all part of making sure that legal options are as attractive as the offshore sites used by so many Albertans.
For the industry, the passing of this Act is a clear sign that the province is serious about putting a stop to unregulated betting. But the real test will be how long it takes for regulated options to come aboard and whether they actually reduce the amount of business going to offshore sites. As for now, the waiting game continues.
What’s Happening Now in Alberta?
With Bill 48 now law, attention has shifted from legislation to implementation. Regulators are consulting with stakeholders and interested parties as they work to draft the province’s soon-to-launch iGaming framework.
AGLC and the new iGaming corporation are discussing thresholds for licensing, advertising, player safeguards, and anti-money-laundering standards, among others. And all the signs show a phased, controlled rollout is more likely than an immediate, wide-open market. Industry groups, venue operators, and bettors are watching, waiting for concrete timelines and the first licence awards.
The effectiveness of the new regime will hinge on whether legal offerings can lure players away from offshore sites. If implementation is swift and consumer protections are robust, Alberta stands to reclaim revenue and tighten oversight. For now, passage of the Act is a major step — the coming months will reveal whether policy intent translates into operational markets and reductions in unregulated wagering.
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