Alberta To Be Next Legal Sports Betting Province in Canada

For a while now, Alberta has been seen as the next Canadian province to introduce a legal sports betting platform. Alongside Ontario, it will be one of the few places in Canada where residents can access top sports betting sites.

During a speech at the Canadian Gaming Summit on Thursday, Alberta Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally strongly suggested that the province is exploring the possibility of launching a legal platform in the near future. Nally mentioned the success of the Ontario sports betting platform and expressed interest in implementing a similar model in Alberta.

During the conference, Dan Keene, the VP of gaming at Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), emphasized the importance of providing safe and regulated options for gaming in Alberta. Keene noted that gaming providers have been operating in the province for decades, and the goal is to capture the market share by implementing measures to ensure safety and compliance. Keene expressed support for the minister’s efforts to regulate the gaming industry, stating that it is important to provide safe tools and increase revenue for the province.

The Alberta officials at the Summit did not provide a specific timeline for the launch of a legal sports betting platform in Alberta. However, their willingness to discuss the potential expansion of the current government-owned platform is a positive indicator for Albertans who are eager to access popular platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings.

Following Ontario’s lead

Since its launch in April 2022, Ontario’s legal sports betting market has been incredibly successful. In 2023, Ontario sports betting apps and retail providers saw a combined $63 billion handle, marking a 78% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the online casinos in Ontario have been experiencing significant growth.

Speculation has been ongoing regarding which province would be the next to launch its own legal sports betting platform. However, there has been a lack of progress from provincial governments until recently, when Alberta lawmakers indicated their plans to establish their own sports betting industry.

It appears that Alberta will be mirroring Ontario’s actions, potentially providing its residents with top sportsbooks and online casinos in Canada.

Minister Nally explained the vision for our gaming site, stating that it will closely resemble Ontario’s model as they have paved the way. While some adjustments will be made, the inspiration for our site comes from Ontario’s experience, ultimately creating an open and free market.

More details on the potential platform

At present, Albertans have the option to place sports bets using the government-operated PlayAlberta website, managed by the AGLC. However, this platform is limited in its sports betting offerings and lacks the variety and competition found in the top sports betting apps in Canada.

The speculated platform would involve the Alberta government overseeing the legal sports betting market independently, rather than through Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis.

There are indications that Alberta is considering establishing a separate organization to oversee its sports betting platform, following in the footsteps of Ontario’s iGaming Ontario. This separate entity would be responsible for managing sports betting in the province, operating independently from Alberta’s gaming and liquor regulator.

The platform’s launch will reportedly include the province’s First Nations.