The bill now only needs Royal Assent, which most believe is a guarantee
Alberta is officially moving ahead with plans to open its online gambling market to private operators. The province’s legislature has passed Bill 48, known as the iGaming Alberta Act, clearing the way for regulated online casinos and sportsbooks to operate under government oversight.
With the bill now through its final reading, it awaits Royal Assent before the province begins building out its regulatory structure. A new agency, the Alberta iGaming Corporation, will manage the market in partnership with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), which will serve as the regulator. This setup closely resembles Ontario’s current model, where the government separates regulation and market operations.
Once the system is in place, Alberta will become the second province in Canada to offer a commercial online gambling framework. Private companies will be able to apply for licenses, but many key details—including tax rates, licensing rules, and responsible gambling policies—are still being developed. Government officials say those specifics will be released after further consultations with stakeholders.
One of the confirmed features is a province-wide self-exclusion program that will apply across all licensed operators. This measure was included to address gaps seen in Ontario’s version, where no unified exclusion system exists even years after its launch.
Despite concerns from the opposition, especially around player protections, no amendments were made to the bill before it passed. Alberta’s Minister of Service, Dale Nally, argued that these issues are better addressed through regulation rather than baked into the legislation itself, allowing for more flexibility as the market evolves.
Currently, Play Alberta is the only legal online platform in the province. Industry estimates suggest that unregulated offshore sites still attract much of the action. By opening the market, officials hope to bring more players into the legal space, improve consumer safety, and boost provincial revenues.
Major operators like FanDuel and BetMGM are already eyeing the Alberta market, though the official launch is not expected until early 2026.
