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Alberta is finalizing plans to open up its online gambling market to international, private operators. The new law, the iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48), which is inspired by Ontario’s robust gambling laws, will turn the market from a monopolized, government-run model to an open model.
Interestingly, the new framework includes a new agency purposely built to play a crucial role in the new market. So, who will regulate online gambling in Alberta? Here’s a simplified overview of what the new law says and how things will change.
The Current Situation
Online gambling in Alberta currently exists on two landscapes: a regulated one and an unregulated one.
- On the regulated landscape, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) has direct oversight over all gambling activities. Notably, the AGLC permits only one regulated gambling platform, PlayAlberta.ca, which it also runs.
- In the unregulated landscape, residents can register and play at offshore sites without issue, as the federal and provincial laws do not criminalize offshore gambling. Indeed, many residents have active accounts on popular international platforms like bet365.
The Coming Changes
Alberta passed the iGaming Alberta Act, also known as Bill 48, via Royal Assent in May 2025. The new law will turn the market from a monopoly to an open, commercialized model.
Notably, while the AGLC will still play a crucial role in regulating the new market, it will not do it alone, as the new law has seen the emergence of a new agency: the Alberta iGaming Corporation.
Here’s a breakdown of the two agencies’ roles:
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) – Regulator
The AGLC is the regulator of the new Alberta online gambling market. It is responsible for establishing all rules, including consumer protection policies, financial transaction transparency, and data privacy standards.
The commission will also oversee marketing by setting and enforcing guidelines for online betting ads, responsible gambling standards, and player bonus structures. Moreover, it will continue operating and managing the state-owned platform PlayAlberta.ca, which will compete with the private platforms.
The Alberta iGaming Corporation – Commercial Manager
The Alberta iGaming Corporation is a new Crown corporation created under the new online gambling law. It doesn’t regulate the market. Instead, it manages its commercial sector by issuing licenses and collecting revenue.
The corporation has the authority to issue licenses, as it serves as the province’s new business conductor. To this end, it accepts applications and signs formal agreements with private operators.
Beyond licensing private operators (Alberta sportsbooks and Alberta online casinos), the corporation also collects revenue. It is the first to handle the province’s share of the gambling revenue before it reaches the provincial tax funds.
Implications for Players with Offshore Accounts
Notably, many offshore platforms popular with Alberta residents will become locally regulated. The AGLC has directed that all platforms interested in entering the market must stop all unregulated activities and submit their applications by July 13. So, what does that mean for players with active accounts on these platforms?
The authorities have given definitive guidelines on how operators should handle such accounts. However, it is highly likely that the accounts will be limited, requiring users to register again.
The End Game
Player protection is the main goal of the new online gambling law. Notably, players aren’t guaranteed certain protections when playing at offshore platforms.
However, the same offshore platforms will now be obligated to act fairly towards players and offer proactive responsible gambling tools like deposit limits, reality checks, and self-exclusion. Moreover, the province has a centralized self-exclusion database that bans applicants across all online gambling platforms as well as land-based casinos.
The provincial government also has its eye on the potential revenues to be made. Notably, offshore platforms currently take up about 70% of the market, translating to millions of dollars lost. By regulating those platforms, the authorities will be able to tax them and capture the lost revenue.
