Canadian province of Alberta to open regulated gambling market

Alberta will become the next Canadian province to regulate online gambling. The model will be similar to that of Ontario, with minor adjustments.

At the Canadian Gaming Summit 2024, which took place June 18-20 in Toronto, Alberta’s Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, Dale Nally, announced that the province is actively working on launching a regulated online gambling market. He confirmed that the province’s competitive iGaming market would be based on the Ontario model.

It’s going to be an open and free market

Nally added.

Currently, the only legal operator in the province is Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), which operates the PlayAlberta brand and provides a range of gaming options, including slots, live dealer games, lotteries, and more. Nally emphasized that the AGLC will not be regulating other operators to avoid conflicts of interest. This structure is analogous to the regulatory model employed in Ontario, where gambling is overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and iGaming Ontario.

The minister did not provide a specific timeline for market launch. However, he pointed out that the initial steps are already underway, and Premier Minister of Alberta Danielle Smith is prepared to advance the initiative. Last month, the Alberta legislature passed legislation confirming the province's right to regulate and host gambling, meaning the creation of an iGaming market is just around the corner.