Alberta’s iGaming Act set to reshape Canada’s gambling market 3f4a2m

Alberta lawmakers have ed Bill 48, allowing for the expansion of the legal betting industry. This will open up the market, allowing private operators to provide their services in the province.

As such, the Alberta iGaming Corporation will now regulate the market and license operators that apply.

But what will the impacts be for those in Alberta? How will this impact players, and how will it affect the market in years to come? We’ve taken a closer look.

Current state of the Alberta iGaming market 1m3vi

The current legal betting industry in the Western Canadian province is limited to just one legitimate sports betting app, PlayAlberta.

However, Albertans do not use this operator alone, meaning the iGaming market is not monopolized. This is due to the grey market, which means players can use international casino sites and ones that aren’t regulated in the province.

Why has a new Bill been introduced? 365x23

Player safety is a concern due to the use of grey market sites. PlayAlberta doesn’t hold even 50% of the market share in the province, highlighting the prominent use of offshore sites.

Bill 48 will provide Albertans with more regulated and licensed operators, modelled on Ontario’s system. This system has allowed for the opening of 49 regulated operators and accumulated over C$2.4 billion in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) from online casino games.

The introduction of a regulated framework means s will conduct their gambling activity in a safer market, which will better protect them and encourage healthier gambling habits.

There is optimism surrounding the new market, which is expected to launch in 2026. As stated by Paul Burns, CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association:

“The industry is excited for this next step to bring an open and competitive iGaming market to Alberta."

What will a regulated online gambling market look like in Alberta? 201d1g

Player safety is paramount. Introducing more licensed operators will protect them and help players gamble responsibly.

Minister Dale Nally has spoken about introducing a centralized self-exclusion programme for those exhibiting problem gambling behaviours.

“If there is one thing I think we can do better [than Ontario], it’s that we can go live on day one with centralised self-exclusion… our commitment is that on day one, there will be system-wide self-exclusion, you’ll be able to push a button and you won’t be able to play on any of the regulated online spaces. That will also include land-based casinos and racing centres.”

With Ontario laying the blueprint for a successful regulated market, Alberta can follow suit. Burns has also spoken about the Ontario market:

“One of the things Ontario did [well] was build a market that invited the grey market operators and made it advantageous for them to .”

“Alberta is clearly leading with strong measures of consumer protection. It’s this balance of being prepared to invest heavily in protecting your market and making it advantageous for people to the regulated market. Ontario set a good bar, but we’re asking them to improve on that regulatory regime,” he added.

How will the industry look in five years' time? 1xs3r

It’s encouraging to see the focus on responsible gambling and protecting players. This should see a regulated market that protects s.

Having learned from Ontario, Alberta should be in a much healthier position regarding the provision of responsible gambling frameworks.

Moreover, the revenue opportunities are clear. With over C$2 billion in GGR generated from online casino games in Ontario alone, Alberta hopes to match this level.

This means less money will be lost from the grey market in the province, allowing the Alberta iGaming Corporation to maximize revenues.

The hope is that these potential revenues will be invested in greater technologies to enhance responsible gambling tools and improve the licensed market.