Alberta One Step Closer to Open, Competitive iGaming Market

Posted on: May 8, 2025, 07:48h. 

Last updated on: May 8, 2025, 07:48h.

Mark Keast Read More
Expertise: Canadian Gaming, iGaming, Las Vegas, Sports Betting, NFL, Boxing, UFC.

The iGaming Alberta Act is one step away from becoming law, which will open up private operator access to bettors in Canada’s western province. 

Soon, Alberta bettors will be able to wager on the Calgary Flames and teams in other sports on a selection of platforms as the iGaming Alberta Act takes another step towards becoming law. Image/Shutterstock.

Royal Assent Last Step

Bill 48 yesterday passed third reading in the provincial legislature. With the United Conservative Party having a majority, it passed without any amendments. Royal Assent is the last step needed before it becomes law.

Bill 48 would create the Alberta iGaming Corporation to oversee regulated online gambling operations in the province, prioritizing consumer protection and responsible play. The bill would designate AGLC as the regulator, while it still oversees PlayAlberta, currently the province’s only legal, regulated site for sports betting and online casino.

The corporation will be governed by a board of up to seven directors appointed by Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally.

Go Live Date Rumoured for Early 2026

The Alberta market, projected to go live in early 2026, would be the second province to launch a competitive private operator, regulatory regime.

One of the next hurdles to clear, after Royal Assent, is what the tax rate will be. The Ontario market, which launched in April 2022, has a tax rate of 20%.

As Ron Segev, founder of Segev LLP and one of Canada’s prominent lawyers when it comes to the business of igaming, who has opened an office in Calgary, told Casino.org in last week, Alberta can be billion-dollar industry at the end of Year 1 “if it’s managed properly, and it’s a truly open market with a regime that will allow the operators to advertise freely, although responsibly.”

Major Operators Lining Up To Jump In

Ontario saw CAD $82.7 billion in wagers and CAD $3.2 billion in gross gaming revenue for Fiscal Year 2024/25, 31% and 32% increases, respectively, over 2023-24.

It’s not going to be the same exact numbers just because of the populations at hand, but in terms of the percentage growth, I think we can expect the same, possibly more,” Segev said. “Data is showing us that Albertan players tend to have higher player values … more of them [bet] at higher amounts.”

Executives from leading igaming operators have indicated their companies will be applying for Alberta licenses, meaning brands like DraftKings, PointsBet Canada, NorthStar, FanDuel, and BetRivers will soon be offering their platforms to Alberta bettors, to compete with PlayAlberta.