Alberta has been trying to create a regulated online gambling market for a while now (having seen the success in Ontario) and it looks like things are moving ever closer. Bill 48 has passed a second reading in the provincial legislature and will now progress to the Committee of the Whole where it will be reviewed in detail clause by clause.
If this iGaming Alberta Act is approved, it will mean that Alberta can establish its own online gambling market that will feature private operators. These will complement the government's Play Alberta site and give Albertans more choice. It will also greatly reduce the need for players to access offshore online casinos accepting Canadian players.
Bill 48 aims to replicate the model used by Ontario's iGaming regulation and reduce the influence that offshore operators have. It will also offer safer regulated casino gambling sites for Albertans.
The Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, Dale Nally said, "There are a significant number of Albertans who are potentially being preyed upon by grey market sites or illicit sites. This legislation proposes to change that."
He also went on to say, "Once the regulated market is established, Alberta's government will be able to capture gambling revenues currently lost to unregulated sites often located outside of Alberta. This new revenue can be used to support First Nations as well as social responsibility initiatives and other government priorities."
Alberta to get New Regulatory Body
If Bill 48 is passed, Alberta will begin allowing private operators (including online casinos, poker rooms, and sportsbooks) apply for licenses to operate within the province. All operators and companies will be required to register with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) which will continue to regulate the industry whilst also managing Play Alberta.
For the commercial side of things iGaming Alberta will be set up. This organization will function in a similar manner to iGaming Ontario and serve as an intermediary between the government and private licensees. All operators will be required to sign agreements with iGaming Alberta and adhere to the regulations set out by both the AGLC and iGaming Alberta.
The legislation includes a plan to have a centralized self-exclusion tool that will allow Albertans to opt out of all licensed sites within the province with a single registration. As responsible gambling is on the rise worldwide, this is excellent and something that Ontario is also working on developing.
Some Questions are Still Unanswered for Alberta Legal Online Gambling
The iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48) outlines the basic structure for what the Alberta legal online gambling market will look like but there are still details that haven't yet been resolved. The proposed legislation doesn't specify a number of things including licensing costs, applicable tax rates, or the precise compliance requirements that will be enforced.
The government has indicated that these issues will be clarified and consultations with indigenous leaders, industry representatives, and community stakeholders will be held.
Nally did however make a point of stating that responsible gambling tools would form a central part of the framework and these will include player support systems, age verification checks, and betting limits.
Opposition to Bill 48
As with any legislation, there has been some opposition and criticism. The New Democratic Party (NDP) raised concerns about the lack of specifics in Bill 48. MLA Gurinder Brar said, "This approach is just like buying a car without knowing if it has brakes or a steering wheel. It's bound to lead to a crash."
Despite this, the progress with Bill 48 seems to be going well and it is backed by the ruling United Conservative Party (UCP). At committee stage there will be plenty of opportunities for further discussions and amendments of each clause before a third reading is had.
What Does the Future Hold?
If Bill 48 completes the legislative process in the next couple of months, we could see legal online gambling in Alberta and a regulated iGaming market launching in late 2025 or early 2026. This is going to give Albertans plenty of legal alternatives to offshore online casinos and sports betting sites.
Play Alberta, the government run site, had a makeover in March 2025 with a new updated logo, colour scheme, and an official Play Alberta app available in the Apple App and Google Play stores.
