The Alberta government has introduced a landmark piece of legislation aimed at reshaping the province’s online gambling landscape. Bill 48, known as the iGaming Alberta Act, proposes the creation of a regulated market that would allow private companies to offer online gambling services under provincial oversight.
If passed, the bill would establish a new Crown corporation—Alberta iGaming Corporation—tasked with managing these partnerships. Regulatory authority would remain with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), which currently operates PlayAlberta, the province’s only legal online gambling platform.
“This is about protecting Albertans and creating a safer environment for people who are already gambling online,” said Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally at a press conference earlier this week. “We know Albertans are using unregulated websites, and it’s time we brought those activities into a safer, legal framework.”
Currently, thousands of Albertans access offshore gambling platforms that fall outside Canadian jurisdiction. These sites offer little in the way of consumer protections, creating concerns around fraud, addiction, and underage access. The proposed legislation seeks to close that gap by enabling vetted private operators to enter the market with appropriate safeguards.
Under the new framework, all licensed operators would be required to follow strict rules around responsible gambling. That includes tools for self-exclusion, spending limits, and a mandatory minimum age of 18.
The province is positioning the move not only as a consumer protection initiative but also as a way to recapture revenue lost to the grey market. “Billions of dollars are leaving Canada through offshore gambling sites,” said Nally. “Bringing that activity into a regulated system allows us to keep those funds here and reinvest them into public services.”
Industry observers have largely welcomed the move. “Alberta has a chance to create a gold-standard model, one that protects consumers while also fostering innovation,” said Adam Kates, VP of Compliance at theScore, a leading online sportsbook operator.
Alberta’s move comes in the wake of Ontario’s iGaming launch in 2022, which opened the door for dozens of private operators to compete in a regulated environment. While that model has had its critics, it has also been praised for generating substantial tax revenue and attracting legitimate industry players.
Still, some questions remain. Critics have raised concerns about the social impacts of expanding access to online gambling and whether the new system will effectively steer players away from unregulated platforms.
The government has promised more details in the months ahead, but for now, Bill 48 marks a significant step toward a more open—and potentially more lucrative—digital gambling market in Alberta. Debate on the bill is expected to continue through the spring legislative session.
