Alberta Prepares to Open Private Online Gambling Market
Alberta is preparing to open its private online gambling market on July 13, with dozens of operators already applying for licences. The province says 35 companies have submitted applications, including major names such as BetMGM, FanDuel, PointsBet and Score Media and Gaming.
The new market will be managed by the Alberta iGaming Corporation together with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis. Operators still need to pass checks, sign an operating agreement and follow provincial rules before they can launch.
Alberta says the main reason for the change is simple: many residents already gamble on offshore websites that the province cannot regulate or tax.
“We want to bring those players into a regulated market that provides stronger consumer protections,” a provincial spokesperson said.
By opening a legal market, Alberta wants to bring more of that activity under local control. Under the current plan, 80% of gambling revenue will go to operators, while 20% will go back to the province. Indigenous communities will receive 2%, and 1% will go toward social responsibility.
The province is also looking closely at Ontario, which opened its online gambling market in 2022. Ontario has generated strong revenue, but researchers say problem gambling increased after the launch. That is one of the biggest concerns for Alberta.
Officials say the province will use stronger safeguards, including a self-exclusion system that blocks registered users from gambling apps and sportsbooks. Advertising rules will also be strict. Active and retired athletes can only appear in ads focused on responsible gambling, not direct promotion.
Alberta’s launch could bring more choice for players and more revenue for the province, but the real test will be whether the market can grow without creating more gambling harm.
