Alberta iGaming Market Launch Set for July 13
Posted on: March 31, 2026, 08:12h.
Last updated on: April 1, 2026, 08:25h.
- Alberta market set to go live, follows in Ontario’s footsteps
- Annual revenues projected to eclipse $700m at market maturation
- AGLC will handle registration, with newly formed AiGC in a conduct and manage role
Alberta’s new regulated igaming market is set to go live on July 13, the province’s government has confirmed in a statement.
Green Light for Operators
The launch date was confirmed in a letter by Alberta’s Minister Of Service and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally sent to the provinces iGaming stakeholders.
The launch of a regulated iGaming market is an exciting chapter for our province, and I am confident that we can build a market that is both competitive and socially responsible,” Nally wrote. “Alberta’s future in iGaming is bright, and, with your partnership, we will ensure it is a success for everyone”
Responding to the letter, the Canadian Gaming Association welcomed the move, adding: “We commend your commitment to prioritizing player protection and implementing robust regulatory standards to ensure a safe market environment.”
Last week, we reported how Alberta’s grey market operators had been given until July 13 in an Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) bulletin to apply for licensing and pay all fees to AGLC an indicator of market launch timing.
AGLC added that it would consider an extension to Oct. 13, 2026, “only where an operator can demonstrate a path to compliance for market launch that was unattainable prior to July 13, 2026.”
Late submissions were not considered a viable reason.
New Dawn for Canadian iGaming
Operators will need to pay a one-time application charge of $50,000 and an annual registration fee of $150,000 in the province.
The tax rate for Alberta will be 20%, after First Nations and responsible gaming deductions.
“Failure to adhere to this guidance may result in a finding of unsuitability for iGaming registration in Alberta,” the government wrote in its earlier bulletin outlining the registration rules.
Grey market operators must ensure all outstanding bets are satisfied or cancelled prior to ceasing unregulated operations. That includes settling any open wagers, returning player account balances, and informing players of timelines and procedures for account closure.
20% Tax Rate
Private market operators will now compete with the government’s Play Alberta igaming platform. The registration process for operators looking to hang a sign in Alberta began in January 13, when the AGLC posted its regulations.
Under the province’s new igaming regulatory regime, AGLC is handling registration and licensing while the newly formed Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) is in a conduct and manage role.
DraftKings, PointsBet Canada, Betty, Soft2Bet, Betway, NorthStar Bets, Bet99, BetMGM, theScore, Caesars, and BetRivers are among the igaming brands that will be in there early.
Early projections have Alberta’s market eclipsing $700 million per year in revenue at maturity.
Grey Market Operators
Now that there’s a go-live date, it will be interesting to see what happens to the grey market in Alberta, which right now casts a wide shadow. In Alberta, according to Blask, offshore operators currently have 88% market share. Manitoba is at 88% as well. Only Saskatchewan eclipses those two provinces – 93%.
Alberta has a population of just over 5 million. Ontario, which has had a regulated, open igaming market competing with the government’s Proline platform since April, 2022, has a population of just over 16 million. That market currently has 47 licensed operators.
No comments yet