The provincial government needs more time to figure out how to approach online gaming
Plans to introduce iGaming in Alberta have encountered delays, pushing back the timeline initially hoped for by the gaming industry. Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally had shared plans to regulate online gambling at the Canadian Gaming Summit earlier this year, sparking excitement. However, it now appears that launching iGaming in the province is taking longer than expected, with 2024 no longer being feasible, and even a 2025 rollout starting to look uncertain.
Nally’s office acknowledged the need for more time to create a framework that balances business interests with public safety. Press Secretary Brandon Aboultaif emphasized that the government is focused on building a strategy that ensures fairness and transparency, while also protecting vulnerable populations, particularly young people. He noted that ongoing consultations with industry stakeholders are helping shape the final plan, to align it with Alberta’s red tape reduction priorities.
Nally’s team has been gathering feedback from First Nations groups and gaming industry leaders throughout the summer. Despite initial optimism, the province is now taking a more cautious approach, ensuring the framework is robust and sustainable. Unlike Ontario, where the Alcohol and Gaming Commission oversees online gambling, Alberta’s Justice Ministry is expected to take on this regulatory role.
Paul Burns, President and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association, referred to the delay as more of a “pause” than a setback, stressing the importance of getting the framework right. Burns suggested the Alberta government is simply reevaluating its timelines to ensure all necessary objectives are met.
Both Burns and Nally are set to discuss Alberta’s iGaming progress at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, providing further updates on the province’s online gambling plans.
