Alberta is moving closer to launching a regulated online sports betting and iGaming market, marking a key development in Canada sports betting. The province is advancing plans to open licensing to private operators, with draft regulatory standards released and registration underway, setting the stage for a competitive marketplace expected in 2026.
The framework will expand beyond the government-run Play Alberta platform, allowing multiple licensed sportsbooks and online casino operators to operate under provincial oversight. Officials say the goal is to shift betting activity away from offshore sites and into a fully regulated system.
New Market Structure Takes Shape
Play Alberta, operated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), is currently the province’s only legal online gambling platform. That model is set to change under the iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48), which establishes the legal foundation for a multi-operator market.
Under the proposed structure, private operators must register with the AGLC and enter commercial agreements with the Alberta iGaming Corporation before launching. The framework includes an 18-year-old minimum gambling age, operator registration fees, and revenue-sharing provisions that support responsible gaming programs and Indigenous initiatives.
The legislation also allows retail sportsbooks tied to approved casino and venue locations. Regulators have said a significant share of Alberta’s online betting activity currently takes place outside provincial controls. The competitive licensing model is designed to bring that activity into regulated platforms while expanding regulatory oversight.
Compliance Standards and Player Protections
The AGLC’s draft standards require licensed operators to implement identity verification, geolocation controls, anti-money-laundering safeguards, and ongoing reporting requirements.
A centralized self-exclusion program would apply across all regulated platforms, blocking excluded players from accessing any licensed sportsbook or casino site in Alberta. Operators would also be required to promote responsible gaming tools and comply with provincial consumer protection standards.
The framework further limits partnerships between licensed operators and unregistered gambling providers, tightening restrictions on offshore and unauthorized platforms.
Alberta Uses Ontario as Reference Point
Ontario’s iGaming launch has influenced Alberta’s market design. Ontario currently licenses dozens of online sportsbooks and casino apps in Canada, creating one of North America’s largest regulated online gambling markets.
Alberta is adopting a similar open-licensing structure but with stricter transition rules. Draft standards require applicants to halt any unregulated gambling activity in Alberta before becoming eligible for provincial licensing, a move aimed at reducing continued grey-market operations after launch.
Major international sportsbook brands and sports betting apps in Canada are expected to pursue Alberta licenses once the market opens.
Timeline and Next Steps
No official launch date has been announced, but regulatory development and early registration activity point to a 2026 rollout.
Before launch, Alberta regulators will finalize technical standards, licensing requirements, and commercial agreements. Once active, the market is expected to provide Albertans with multiple regulated sportsbook and iGaming options operating under provincial oversight.
