Is Alberta Poised to Become Canada’s Second Legal Sports Betting/iGaming Market?

Alberta is working to model the highly successful Ontario legal sports betting and iGaming market. However, residents of the province are currently unable to access our top Canadian sportsbooks.

Canadian markets have been lagging behind in the development of their own legal online gambling industry. The launch of Ontario sports betting on April 4, 2022, was expected to be the catalyst for other provinces to follow suit.

The ongoing success of Ontario’s earnings may prompt the introduction of a sports betting platform in Alberta. An iGaming Ontario report revealed that $63 billion was bet on sports and iGaming in the province from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, marking a significant 78% increase from the previous year.

In Ontario, the outcome is projected to be $2.4 billion in revenue for the entire year and a legal platform with 1.3 million active users.

Hints at some movement on the topic

Lawmakers in Alberta have been making progress towards establishing a legal iGaming platform, inspired by the successful model seen in Ontario.

In the recent provincial budget, it was announced that $1 million has been allocated for the fiscal year 2024-25 to conduct a review of the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act and supporting Regulation. The primary goals of this review are to lessen the regulatory obstacles for businesses and explore opportunities to enhance contributions to Alberta charities and community facilities.

This indicates that the government has allocated tax funds to explore potential revenue-generating opportunities, including iGaming. If successful, this could result in residents having access to the top sports betting sites in Canada.

Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally expressed optimism about Alberta becoming a prominent iGaming hub, citing the province’s low corporate taxes, simplified regulations, and high disposable incomes as key factors that could attract the industry and position Alberta as a top destination for iGaming.

What will have to happen

It seems that the province plans to establish a new regulatory authority for iGaming and sports betting alongside the existing Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC).

The AGLC currently operates the sole iGaming platform in the province, Play Alberta. Transitioning to a system similar to Ontario’s iGaming would diminish the AGLC’s role to just another licensed operator, instead of being the governing body responsible for overseeing the platform. Therefore, a new regulatory body is necessary.

Bill 16

Lawmakers in Alberta successfully passed Bill 16 in a committee of the whole last Tuesday. The legislation aims to oversee and regulate any future Alberta iGaming platform. If all goes according to plan, Albertans will soon have access to Canada sportsbook promotions.

The essential language needed to advance the concept of legal sports betting and iGaming in the province.

The hope is that the move will speed up the process and could result in an Alberta iGaming launch by 2025. It remains uncertain whether Alberta will become the second Canadian province to legalize iGaming and sports betting.

There seems to be both a legislative desire and a proven Ontario template in place for a successful launch.

Will Alberta become Canada’s second legal sports betting/iGaming market? The smart bet is on a definite “Yes.”