Is Alberta Poised to Become Canada’s Second Legal Sports Betting/iGaming Market?

The province of Alberta is taking steps to replicate the wildly successful Ontario legal sports betting and iGaming market. Residents of the Canadian province are unable to access our best sportsbooks in Canada.

Canadian markets have been excessively slow in moving toward their own legal online gambling scene. Ontario sports betting was seen as just the first of many dominoes to fall when it went live on April 4, 2022. 

Ontario’s continued positive earnings reports could be a catalyst for the launch of an Alberta sports betting platform. According to an iGaming Ontario report, $63 billion was wagered on sports and the province’s iGaming and sports markets from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, a staggering 78% year-over-year increase. 

The result in Ontario? An estimated $2.4 billion in revenue for the full year and 1.3 million active users for its legal platform.

Hints at some movement on the topic

Legislators in Alberta have been making strides toward a legal iGaming platform similar to one that has, as mentioned, been extremely successful in the Ontario market.

Last month, the provincial budget included “$1 million in 2024-25 [that] will support a review of the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act and supporting Regulation, with the objectives of reducing the regulatory burden on business and finding ways to increase contributions to Alberta charities and community facilities.”

That means the government has earmarked tax funds to study the viability of revenue-generating opportunities, which it is understood includes iGaming. If they can pull it off, residents can access the best sports betting sites in Canada.

Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally went on record prior to the budget report saying that “Alberta can be a leading hub for iGaming, with a strong emphasis on openness and a free market. We have low corporate taxes, streamlined regulations and high disposable incomes. These conditions will allow us to establish ourselves as a premier destination for the iGaming industry.”

What will have to happen

It appears that the province will seek to create a new governing body for iGaming and sports betting in addition to the current Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC).

The AGLC currently runs the province’s only iGaming platform, Play Alberta. Adopting an Ontario-like iGaming system would make the AGLC just another licensed operator, not the entity overseeing and ultimately becoming responsible for the platform, hence the need for a new governing body. 

Bill 16

The legislation tabled by lawmakers in Alberta, Bill 16 was passed by a committee of the whole last Tuesday and aims to “conduct and manage” any impending Alberta iGaming platform. If all goes well, Albertans will be able to access Canada sportsbook promos sooner rather than later.

It is the necessary language to move the idea of legal sports betting and iGaming forward in the province.

The move is hoped to expedite the process and possibly lead to an Alberta iGaming launch sometime in 2025. However, it is “wait and see” for the possibility of just the second iGaming and legal sports betting market on Canadian soil. 

It appears that the legislative desire and a successful Ontario template for launching are there.

Is Alberta Poised to Become Canada’s Second Legal Sports Betting/iGaming Market? Smart money is on a resounding “Yes.”