Alberta opened its regulated private iGaming and mobile sports betting market on 13 July, ending the province’s single-operator model. Until then, PlayAlberta.ca, run by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission, had been the only regulated online gambling site in the province.
A provincial fact sheet says the framework rests on Bill 48, passed in spring 2025, which introduced the iGaming Alberta Act and amended the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act. It created the Alberta iGaming Corporation to oversee market operations and designated the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission as regulator. The law also set the minimum online betting age at 18, and January regulations added further detail on licensing and compliance.
Nearly 50 operators had registered before launch. Sports Betting Dime reported that, as of 3 July, 49 sports betting apps had been approved for the initial rollout, along with 56 critical gaming systems providers and 14 platform providers.
The registration process is staged. Operators may advertise and sign up prospective customers while they clear the paperwork, but they cannot add funds or take bets until registration and due diligence with AGLC are complete, a commercial agreement with AiGC is in place and market-launch notification has been issued.
Responsible-gambling rules were in place from day one. Alberta launched a central self-exclusion platform that covers land-based and regulated online gambling, and people who opt out cannot enter participating iGaming sites or collect prizes. Operators must also register websites and suppliers, with limited exemptions, and promote the exclusion tool and other responsible-gambling material. If a player self-excludes before an event starts, unsettled futures wagers must be refunded.
The provincial model gives operators 80% of net iGaming revenue and leaves 20% for programs and services supporting Albertans. On a separate gross basis, 2% of total gross gaming revenue goes to First Nations and 1% to social responsibility initiatives.
CFJC Today reported that Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally believed closer to 20 operators were ready for customers, even though nearly 50 companies had paid registration and permit fees. The outlet also reported that the government expected a $76 million bump to provincial coffers in the first year, while Nally said the reform was about player safety and responsibility first.
The province says the aim is to pull play away from offshore sites and into a regulated, taxed system. Sportshandle described Alberta as the second Canadian province to launch a fully regulated open-market online gambling industry, following Ontario.
