Alberta Follows Ontario's Lead with Regulated Online Gambling Market

Alberta's administration is set to follow the blueprint of fellow Canadian province Ontario by launching a regulated online gambling market.

Alberta, which includes the cities of Calgary and Edmonton, plans to open its market in a similar fashion to Ontario's launch in 2022.

Since then, commercial online gambling has significantly contributed CA$2.7 billion (US$1.97 million) to Ontario's GDP, as per the latest figures released.

Dale Nally, Alberta's Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, confirmed the province's broad plans during a session at a conference in Toronto on Thursday.

His announcement comes just weeks after Alberta's legislature passed Bill 16, which aims to streamline the expansion of the province's gambling sector.

While a specific timeline was not provided, Nally confirmed that online betting and gambling would expand beyond the current Play Alberta monopoly operated by Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC).

Alberta will establish an independent commercial market administrator, similar to iGaming Ontario, which operates separately from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Nally also stated that the First Nations in Alberta, who have interests in the land-based casino market, will be involved in the online marketplace.

Nally said: "It's going to be very similar to Ontario. We're following their model as they built the roadmap. We'll massage it a little bit, but it's been inspired by the experience in Ontario. It's going to be an open and free market."

Bill 16 is the recently passed legislation that facilitates the expansion of gambling in line with various commitments to reducing red tape.

The bill recognizes that the provincial government, along with AGLC, has the authority to conduct and manage gaming in the province.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has directed Minister Nally to explore new potential avenues for online gaming and sports betting in the province.

PlayAlberta, developed by NeoPollard Interactive, was launched by AGLC in October 2020.

Last year, AGLC announced a long-term partnership with NeoPollard's BtoBet to enhance and grow the website's sportsbook.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, CA$1.5 billion in net gaming income was generated for the province's general revenue fund from all provincial gaming activities.

A report by Deloitte published in June revealed that Ontario's online gambling market hit or nearly reached many of Deloitte's five-year projections within its second year (April 2023 to April 2024).

The market, excluding the state-backed lottery operator, contributed CA$2.7 billion (US$1.97 million) to GDP and sustained almost 15,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the province.