The Province of Alberta is closer than ever to its regulated online gaming market. This week, Bill 48, also known as the iGaming Alberta Act, was passed by the provincial Committee of the Whole. Now, the legislation's last obstacle is a third and final reading.
The third reading is the final step in the legislature before it can be passed into law. If it passes this last vote, it can then receive Royal Assent and become law. If enacted, the bill would permit third-party operators to legally offer iGaming across Alberta.
iGaming Looks Nailed On
Usually, when legislation comes out of the Committee of the Whole, it is reviewed and often amended. However, Bill 48 left the committee with its original text as originally intended by the United Conservative government.
Given that the UCP has a majority of seats in the local legislature and the opposition NDP is not putting up much of a fight, the passage of Bill 48 seems almost certain.
Following Ontario’s Footsteps
When Bill 48 ultimately passes its third and final reading, Alberta will be the second Canadian province to launch a private online gambling, sports betting, and poker market. The first jurisdiction was Ontario, which kicked off its iGaming model on April 4, 2022.
Ontario has enjoyed quite the success with its internet gambling initiative, which recently celebrated three years of operations. For its third full year, the province collected CA$3.2 billion in gross gaming revenue for the fiscal year 2024–2025.
Currently, there are 50 licensed third-party iGaming operators in Ontario, as well as the state-owned Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s product. Alberta is looking to replicate even a portion of Ontario’s success.
Current iGaming Setting
At the moment, PlayAlberta is the only state-run online gambling platform in Alberta. It’s operated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission and offers casino games, sports betting, and lottery products.
However, despite the existence of a legal iGaming platform, a large portion of the online bettors or approximately 55%, play on unregulated, offshore websites. These unlicensed platforms often lack consumer protections and take away revenue, which could be used in the province.
That’s why the province seeks to regulate online gambling and sports betting and tries to address the issue.
Forming the Alberta iGaming Corporation
Provided that the iGaming expansion becomes a reality, Alberta would launch the Alberta iGaming Corporation. This new agency will be another government-owned body that will help develop the internet gaming market.
The Alberta iGaming Corporation would also be tasked with inking contract agreements with private operators. Hence, allowing them to offer and take bets in the Western Canadian province. Ontario has a similar approach with iGaming Ontario providing licensing to the 50 approved operators in the province.
More Than Half Play on Offshore Sites
Currently, around 55% of the online bettors in Alberta play on unregulated websites. This takes away the market share for PlayAlberta, which loses the funds to grey and black market operators, who are based outside of the country and often overseas.
Fortunately for the province, Bill 48 would change the jurisdiction’s iGaming model. It would create a legal framework which would allow for more operators to join the province’s market and offer online gambling similar to PlayAlberta.
Launch Date Unknown
Despite the recent progress on Alberta’s gambling and sports betting model, a launch date has not been provided by the province. However, expectations are that it should be up and running by the end of 2025 or early in 2026.
Flutter Entertainment, one of the companies that is interested in joining the Alberta gambling space, has also given its prediction. This week, the owner of FanDuel issued its fiscal numbers for Q1 of 2025 and said the Alberta market could be online in 2026.
Bill 48 Fast-Tracks the Process
With the recent passage of Bill 48, the start of the province’s iGaming sector is closer than ever. However, there’s still groundwork and regulations to be put in place before an official launch. Also, the province must sign and award contracts to casino brands before they can operate lawfully in the province.
Additionally, the local legislature would need to sort out other details like advertising rules for the private operators. Bill 48 would also allow the province to introduce and implement directions regarding advertising and responsible gambling.
Opposition Has Its Doubts
Opposition lawmakers have expressed concerns over the iGaming model, citing that the sudden array of iGaming options could negatively impact bettors and their responsible gambling habits.
Recently, New Democratic Party MLA Gurinder Brar reminded that the province should not forget about consumer protections:
“While this government is very keen to profit from online gambling, it has somehow forgotten to build in the most important protections for the people who will be impacted: families, youth, seniors, and vulnerable Albertans who are at risk of gambling harm.”
He also suggested amendments to Bill 48, calling for the inclusion of a dedicated, harm reduction-based responsible gambling program. However, as we know, the bill passed the Committee of the Whole with no changes.
Protections Will be Implemented
Still, that doesn’t mean that the Alberta government would proceed with the iGaming expansion without protections in place.
Last week, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction assured that guidelines and policies on consumer safety are on their way. Here’s what the representative said:
“Should Bill 48 pass, Alberta’s government will begin to work on setting up the Alberta iGaming Corporation, while we continue to meet with stakeholders and work with AGLC on establishing the broader regulatory framework that includes player protections”
It remains to be seen what approach to player safety Alberta will go for. However, in the coming weeks, there should be a clearer picture of the overall iGaming framework.
