Alberta iGaming Market Launch Set for July 13
Alberta’s new regulated igaming market is set to go live on July 13, the province’s government has confirmed in a statement.
Operators' Green Light
Dale Nally, Alberta's Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, announced the launch date in a letter to the province's iGaming stakeholders.
"The launch of a regulated iGaming market is an exciting chapter for our province, and I am confident that we can build a market that is both competitive and socially responsible,” Nally wrote. “Alberta’s future in iGaming is bright, and, with your partnership, we will ensure it is a success for everyone”
Responding to the letter, the Canadian Gaming Association welcomed the move, adding: “We commend your commitment to prioritizing player protection and implementing robust regulatory standards to ensure a safe market environment.”
We reported last week that an Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) bulletin had given Alberta's grey market operators until July 13 to apply for license and pay all fees to AGLC, an indicator of market start time.
An extension to October 13, 2026, "only where an operator can demonstrate a path to compliance for market launch that was unattainable prior to July 13, 2026," stated AGLC.
Late submissions were not considered a viable reason.
New Dawn for Canadian iGaming
A $50,000 one-time application fee and a $150,000 annual provincial registration fee are required of operators.
After deductions for First Nations and responsible gaming, Alberta's tax rate will be 20%.
“Failure to adhere to this guidance may result in a finding of unsuitability for iGaming registration in Alberta,” the government wrote in its earlier bulletin outlining the registration rules.
Before ending unregulated operations, grey market operators must make sure that any outstanding bets are settled or cancelled. This entails restoring player account balances, settling any outstanding bets, and notifying players of account closure procedures and timescales.
20% Tax Rate
Private market operators will now compete with the government’s Play Alberta igaming platform. The registration process for operators looking to hang a sign in Alberta began in January 13, when the AGLC posted its regulations.
AGLC is in charge of licensing and registration under the province's new igaming regulations, while the recently established Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) is in charge of conduct and management.
DraftKings, PointsBet Canada, Betty, Soft2Bet, Betway, NorthStar Bets, Bet99, BetMGM, theScore, Caesars, and BetRivers are among the igaming brands that will be in there early.
According to early estimates, the market in Alberta will generate more than $700 million annually when it matures.
Operators of the Grey Market
It will be interesting to see what happens to Alberta's grey market, which now throws a large shadow, now that a go-live date has been set. In Alberta, according to Blask, offshore operators currently have 88% market share. Manitoba is likewise at 88%. Only Saskatchewan surpasses those two provinces by 93%.
There are slightly more than 5 million people living in Alberta. With a population of slightly over 16 million, Ontario has had a regulated, open gaming market since April 2022 that competes with the government's Proline platform. There are now 47 licensed operators in that market.