Alberta has taken a major step toward creating a regulated online gambling market. The iGaming Alberta Act, Bill 48, has made a huge remarkable gains in the Alberta gambling legislation process. This leaves a lot of observers hopeful for a more gambling-friendly market statewide.
The bill most recently passed its second reading in the provincial Legislative Assembly. Next up is a debate at the full committee of all members of the legislative assembly. Pending its passage before the conclusion of the spring session, there is a growing belief that the bill will impact the market in the first or second quarter of 2026.
People widely regard Ontario for its open, competitive iGaming environment, which it established by legalizing online gambling in 2022. It now records upwards of $1 billion in monthly wagers to show for it. The goal is to replicate that success by opening the doors for numerous licensed operators under Alberta Bill 48. Alberta is preparing to open its gambling industry, with operators like PointsBet, theScore BET, NorthStar, FanDuel, DraftKings, and others leading the charge to challenge the existing government-run platform, Play Alberta.
With the new bill in play, the newly formed Alberta iGaming Corporation will set the technical standards. It will also manage the operator registry and enforce responsible gaming rules. Licensees will also compete on price, product variety, and customer experience. With the United Conservative Party holding 47 seats in the 87-member Assembly and the NDP opposition holding 36, the legislation has strong odds of passing. It is backed by the majority government of Alberta.
The creation of the Alberta iGaming Corporation is key to the design, as well as workings of Bill 48. About seven directors appointed by the Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction would govern the corporation. The agency will also be responsible for licensing and compliance matters. Additionally, it will oversee the integrity of random number generators and anti-money laundering systems.
