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Alberta.ca Account
Part of Strategies, initiatives and plans

Alberta’s iGaming Strategy

Alberta is moving towards a safer, regulated iGaming market, inviting operators to shift from the grey market to legal status.

Regulating the iGaming market

Unregulated online gambling is already widely available across the province, with some providers operating with limited or no player protection or social responsibility measures. Based on recent survey data, unregulated operators are estimated to capture approximately 70% of Alberta’s total iGaming market.

Alberta’s government is taking action by establishing a regulatory framework that requires private iGaming providers to put player protection at the forefront of their operations. These measures will help ensure Albertans who choose to gamble are protected when the regulated, private iGaming market launches later this year.

Benefits of a regulated market

  • Strong safeguards and social responsibility measures, such as a centralized self-exclusion system that enables individuals to manage their gambling activities.
  • Strict rules for advertising, marketing, and promotions to ensure operators are not targeting minors, high-risk and vulnerable individuals.
  • More gaming revenue stays in Alberta to help support the programs and services Albertans rely on every day.

Revenue

On revenue allocation, our approach balances fair revenue generation for operators and support to First Nations and programs and services Albertans rely on every day. Given the size of the unregulated market, we have no doubt that there is opportunity for sustainable growth for many iGaming sites in Alberta.

Alberta will allocate 80% of net iGaming revenue to operators, and retain 20% for the government. Operator revenue will be allocated from net iGaming revenue, after First Nations and social responsibility funding is allocated totaling 3% of Gross Gaming Revenue.

Governance

A new provincial corporation called the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) will oversee the iGaming market while Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) will serve as the market regulator.

Current status

Legislation and regulations are in place. Board and key AiGC executive positions are being filled. We are well on our way to launching a regulated market later this year.

AGLC has commenced the registration process for iGaming operators and suppliers to help them prepare for market launch later this year. iGaming operators in the registration process are permitted to advertise and sign-up prospective customers but cannot add funds to accounts or take bets.

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