Alberta launches regulated iGaming market, targeting grey‑market gambling

On July 13, 2026 Alberta became the second Canadian province to open a regulated online sports‑betting and casino market. The province announced that 22 private operators were licensed at launch, with an expected 20 % share of gross gaming revenue for the government. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally forecast a $76 million increase in provincial tax revenue in the first year and emphasized that the reform is “about putting players’ safety and player responsibility first.”

The new framework replaces an estimated 70 % of online gambling that previously occurred on unregulated or offshore sites. It requires operators to offer self‑exclusion tools, financial and time limits, and to intervene when high‑risk behaviour is detected. One percent of gross revenue will fund problem‑gambling programs and two percent will be allocated to First Nations. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) oversees the system, while the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) manages day‑to‑day operations.

Major international operators such as bet365, DraftKings, FanDuel, Pragmatic Play and Push Gaming have entered the market, and more than 48 platforms applied for licences. Some providers, like Estonia‑based Coolbet, withdrew after the regulations were introduced. Local operator Pure Canadian Gaming also applied for a licence, highlighting a focus on trust and local presence over advertising spend.