Alberta has officially taken a historic leap into the future of online gambling. Soon after we reported on the introduction of Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, the provincial legislature has now passed the legislation at third reading. With Royal Assent expected imminently, Alberta is poised to become only the second Canadian province after Ontario to launch a competitive, regulated iGaming market that includes private-sector operators.
A New Era of Online Gambling in Alberta
Bill 48 establishes the Alberta iGaming Corporation, a newly formed government entity that will conduct and manage online gambling on behalf of the province. This model mirrors Ontario’s iGaming Ontario framework and is designed to meet the “conduct and manage” requirement of Canada’s Criminal Code. By doing so, Alberta can legally allow private operators such as those offering sports betting, casino games, and poker to enter the market under government oversight.
The creation of the Alberta iGaming Corporation marks a fundamental shift away from the province’s current monopoly, held by Play Alberta, the only platform currently authorized to offer online gambling in Alberta.
Challenges Ahead: Regulations, Stakeholders, and Consumer Protections
Despite the legislative milestone, much work remains. Before operators can go live, Alberta must:
Draft and implement market regulations
Establish licensing criteria and oversight protocols
Finalize revenue-sharing agreements
Appoint leadership and staff for the Alberta iGaming Corporation
Develop systems to ensure responsible gambling and player protection
“The difficult work begins now,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction told Covers. “Alberta’s government will begin to work on setting up the Alberta iGaming Corporation, while we continue to meet with stakeholders and work with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission on establishing the broader regulatory framework.”
One of the most closely watched issues will be how Alberta manages its transition from the unregulated “grey market,” which currently accounts for the majority of online gambling activity in the province. Rather than shutting out existing operators, Alberta is expected to offer a tight window for them to apply for licenses—shorter than the six-month transition period seen in Ontario.
Learning from Ontario: A Roadmap and a Warning
Ontario’s iGaming market launched in April 2022 and now hosts dozens of private operators. However, its path wasn’t without complications: the shutdown of paid fantasy sports, challenges with online poker liquidity, and early regulatory hurdles drew criticism from both players and providers.
Alberta is looking to learn from these missteps. Minister Dale Nally has previously stated the province is aiming for a “tighter window” and more streamlined launch process. Alberta is also exploring a shared liquidity agreement with Ontario for poker and other games – an initiative that could help grow player pools across provinces.
Importantly, Alberta is targeting a feature Ontario still lacks: a centralized self-exclusion platform to allow users to opt out of all gambling platforms in the province with a single registration.
First Nations and Industry Watchdogs Voice Concerns
While many welcome the new market, some stakeholders remain cautious. Several First Nations groups that operate land-based casinos in Alberta have raised concerns over how iGaming expansion may affect their revenue and agreements with the province.
Alberta’s government has signaled a willingness to continue consultations, and potential revenue-sharing mechanisms may be considered to address these concerns.
What Comes Next
Although the passage of Bill 48 is a critical milestone, the timing of Alberta’s iGaming launch is still unclear. Government insiders suggest a late 2025 or early 2026 rollout is realistic, given the administrative and regulatory groundwork that still needs to be laid.
The team at CanPlay looks forward to Alberta’s progress and supports the move toward a regulated iGaming market. Regulation not only fosters innovation and competition – it also enhances consumer protections, safeguards against problem gambling, and ensures that tax revenues support vital public services, including treatment programs and social initiatives.
As Alberta enters this next phase, all eyes will be on how the province balances its ambitions with responsible governance and inclusivity for all stakeholders.
