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Focus shifts towards Alberta as they consider online gambling regulations
The province of Alberta might just be the next Canadian contender to dive headfirst into the world of legal and regulated online gambling.
Sources suggest that legislative work is underway to lay the foundation for an online gaming market that encompasses online casinos, poker, and other gaming products, echoing the steps taken by Ontario earlier.
Last month, Alberta's Government unveiled Bill 48, opening a possible gateway for Alberta to join the online gambling sweepstakes. Currently, only PlayAlberta, which offers slots, table games, and more, is the province's lone regulated gambling platform.
What Does Bill 48 Mean for Alberta?
Introduced by Dale Nally, Alberta's Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, Bill 48 aims to establish a new regulator similar to iGaming Ontario. This new body would oversee all gaming operations and regulate licenses for online gambling operators in the province.
Minister Nally stated, "Our goal isn't to create new gamblers, but to make existing online gambling safer. As the global gaming industry evolves, we must modernize Alberta's approach to gaming to protect the well-being of Albertans, especially our youth."
Online poker and casino games already exist in Alberta through various means (more on that below), making this move a possible attempt by regional legislators to regulate gambling operations and ensure the residents of Alberta access and play online gambling products in a secure and responsible manner.
Bill 48 is under scrutiny now, focusing on specific clauses and stipulations. If it successfully clears this hurdle, the launch of a regulated gambling market is anticipated later this year or early 2026.
Can You Gamble Online in Alberta Now?
TL:DR Version: Yes, but it's largely through the 'gray' market or offshore operators.
In essence, this means that legal and licensed real money casinos or poker sites do not operate within the region, aside from PlayAlberta. Instead, operators are offshore, and their licenses come from beyond Alberta's borders. Currently, gambling isn't outright banned in the province, but there's no regulation, and no licenses are granted to operators.
In Canada (excluding Ontario), brands like 888casino, JackpotCity Casino, and PokerStars Casino have found an opening and offer real money games to players in Canada using this model. Regulation is provided by bodies like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which issues licenses to operators for a variety of gambling products.
Alberta Mirroring Ontario's Online Gambling Footsteps
*Ontario was the first Canadian province to establish a legal and regulated online gambling market in 2022. It's been on an upward trajectory ever since, with major operators opting to launch provincial platforms for casino games, slots, and poker. Some Ontario-specific platforms for casino games include BetMGM Casino, PokerStars Casino, and JackpotCity Casino*.
The Ontario gaming market has seen storming growth, with IGaming Business reporting a staggering 32% year-on-year increase to C$3.2 billion in the 12 months between 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
If you're an Ontario resident, check out our Ontario Casino Guide for your next online casino!
Alberta's Online Gambling Horizon
With Ontario setting a promising precedent, the eyes of the gaming world are turning to Alberta in the coming months. If the Ontario numbers are any indication, the prospect of online casinos in Alberta is a tantalizing possibility.
Stay tuned for updates!
Learn More
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- Following Ontario's lead, Alberta's introduction of Bill 48 signals a potential expansion into a regulated online gambling market, encompassing casino, poker, and various gaming products.
- Dale Nally, Alberta's Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, introduced Bill 48 aiming to establish a new regulator similar to iGaming Ontario, overseeing all gaming operations and issuing licenses for online gambling operators in the province.
- Alberta's Bill 48, if successfully passed, anticipates a regulated gambling market launch later this year or early 2026, providing secure and responsible access to online gambling products for residents.
- Similar to Ontario, brands like 888casino, JackpotCity Casino, and PokerStars Casino already offer real money games in Canada, operating under the oversight of bodies like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
- With Ontario's online gambling market experiencing significant growth, the global gaming industry watches expectantly as Alberta mirrors its footsteps, potentially making it the next Canadian province to establish a viable and regulated online gambling market.
