The fight to launch Alberta’s iGaming market is still on.
Bill 48, or the iGaming Alberta Act, still awaits the Royal Assent from Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani. But lawmakers are busy consulting in a bid to carve out a comprehensive framework that kicks off a safe and legalized market by early 2026.
“AGLC continues to work with the Alberta Government as we approach an open iGaming market,” said Larry Spagnolo, AGLC’s new board chair, in a recent interview with Focus Gaming News. “We look forward to developing the next steps that appeal to Albertans. As AGLC will act as the regulator of the iGaming market, Play Alberta will continue to be operated as an arms-length iGaming platform, maintaining AGLC’s regulatory approach to be evenly applied for all future online gambling operators.”
Alberta’s Current Responsible Gaming and Anti-Money Laundering Measures
Alberta’s iGaming regulatory landscape is certainly changing. And Alberta lawmakers are prioritizing two things prior to its commercial iGaming market launch: protecting the player and safeguarding their financial integrity. Responsible gaming and anti-money laundering (AML) measures are already part of Alberta’s gaming landscape.
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), for instance, requires operators and staff to complete mandatory anti-money laundering (AML) training and certification. This helps in identifying and reporting suspicious activity in line with federal FINTRAC requirements. That way, the risk of using casinos and sportsbooks — whether online or offline — for money laundering or other illegal financial transactions reduces.
On the responsible play side, Alberta has built in several safeguards. Play Alberta, the only sanctioned online gambling site, features deposit limits, reality checks, and access to a voluntary self-exclusion program. GameSense advisors, who are trained specialists available at land-based and online casinos, provide players with tools, education, and personalized support to help them gamble healthier. Regular public awareness campaigns also promote safe play and highlight support services for those at risk.
While the current AML and responsible gaming measures are sustainable for Alberta’s current iGaming landscape, more is necessary as the province moves toward market expansion. The challenge will be scaling these player protections so they remain effective in a more competitive, high volume iGaming environment.
Know Your Player (KYC) in Alberta
How will iGaming operators be required to meet anti-money laundering (AML) requirements and do player checks in Alberta? We don’t know yet. But we do know robust “Know Your Player” protocols will be key to the province in building a safe and trustworthy iGaming market.
If Alberta follows Ontario’s lead, identity verification will likely involve matching player information, including name, date of birth, and address, against Canadian credit bureau records, to meet FINTRAC requirements. This is the first line of defence against fraud, money laundering, and bonus abuse as it ensures only eligible players get access to online gambling platforms.
Since Alberta’s iGaming model is going to mirror Ontario’s, it’s likely to implement two ways to do identity verification. The first is a single credit file match. This is where an individual’s details must match a credit bureau record for a minimum period. A straightforward KYC process, but it’s likely to exclude players with limited or no credit history, especially younger players.
The second, more rigorous option is a dual credit file match. By verifying personal details against two independent credit bureau records (each with sufficient history), operators can achieve a higher level of assurance. Industry experts call this the “gold standard” of due diligence as it’s more accurate and reduces the risk of fraudulent activity slipping through.
Alberta hasn’t finalized its approach to AML and responsible gambling yet. But it’s clear operators and regulators will need to balance accessibility with security. The outcome will impact not only federal AML compliance, but also consumer confidence in the province’s new iGaming market.
Age Checks Ensures an Accountable iGaming System in Alberta
As Alberta moves to a broader iGaming framework, one of the biggest guardrails will be preventing underage access. The province’s gambling age is 18, and regulators say strict verification processes must be in place to uphold that. Play Alberta already requires players to provide verified government-issued ID before creating an account, and that’s expected to be the minimum for new market entrants.
Beyond age verification, industry experts say affordability screening will likely be another layer of protection to identify players at risk of spending more than they can afford. These tools are common in regulated markets and will be key to addressing financial vulnerability as more online gambling options become available.
From a compliance perspective, operators will also be bound by Canada’s Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA). That means screening for politically exposed persons (PEPs), sanctions, and adverse media to flag high-risk individuals while ensuring platforms aren’t used for illegal financial activity.
In all, Alberta’s approach means its iGaming system is being built with accountability at its heart. It will combine current Play Alberta practices with stricter compliance requirements to protect players and ensure financial integrity as the market opens up to more competition.
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