Alberta is taking a big step toward expanding its online gambling market. Bill 48, also known as the iGaming Alberta Act, has passed its second reading in the provincial legislature and is now heading to committee for a deeper review.
Good to know
- Alberta is moving to open its online gambling market to private companies.
- Bill 48 has passed second reading and will now be reviewed in detail.
- A new regulatory body, iGaming Alberta, will oversee licensed operators if approved.
The bill, introduced by the United Conservative Party, would open the door for private operators to offer legal online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker platforms in the province. Right now, the only legal option is Play Alberta, run by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. However, most players reportedly use offshore or grey market sites that fall outside provincial oversight.
Dale Nally, Alberta’s Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, explained the purpose of the bill during an earlier debate. “There are a significant number of Albertans who are potentially being preyed upon by grey market sites or illicit sites,” Nally said. “This legislation proposes to change that.”
The proposed plan would create a new regulator called iGaming Alberta. Private companies would operate under contract with this body and follow rules set by the provincial government. Much like Ontario’s model, many of the specifics would be addressed later through regulation.
Not everyone supports the bill in its current form. Opposition critic Gurinder Brar questioned the lack of details on issues such as advertising limits and responsible gambling tools. “This approach is just like buying a car without knowing if it has brakes or a steering wheel,” Brar said.
Nally responded by saying those rules will be in place before the market launches. The government is already planning a self-exclusion system to protect vulnerable users. Officials have said Alberta’s regulated market could launch by late 2025 or early 2026.
While the bill focuses on improving consumer safety, there is also a financial angle. Nally noted that regulated gambling would allow the province to recover revenue currently lost to offshore operators. That money, according to the government, could support First Nations programs, social responsibility projects, and other public services.
Bill 48 now moves into the Committee of the Whole stage, where lawmakers will examine each section and may suggest changes before the final vote.
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