Alberta iGaming: Bill 48 and 2026 legalisation latest
Alberta is on the cusp of welcoming private iGaming platforms to the province as a recently-introduced bill paves the way for legal, non-government-led online casino gambling. The province hopes to follow in the footsteps of Ontario online casinos.
Bill 48, presented in March 2025, seeks to establish a new regulatory body tasked with providing oversight for industry operations undertaken by private entities.
As per Canada online casino legislation, the region currently presides over one Canadian online casino website, PlayAlberta.ca, which houses live dealer rooms, slots, sports betting and lottery action.
Through fresh amendments, Albertan players are expected to benefit from additional games and facilities presented by private iGaming entities – expanding the amount of options available for players.
So, what is the proposed motion and how will it impact the province’s online gambling industry? We dive in.
Current Alberta iGaming legislation: Monopoly rules
All iGaming activities in Alberta are regulated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).
This government-funded organization also operates PlayAlberta.ca – the area’s only legal iGaming platform tailored to players aged 18+.
Featuring top-rated slots, instant win titles, live casino betting and lottery-based entertainment, the website caters to a breadth of gaming preferences held by Albertan players.
Moreover, PlayAlberta.ca s sports wagering across the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB, as well as eSports and other niche picks.
Despite notable industry success and provincial monopolization, the AGLC reports that players ed with PlayAlberta.ca for less than half of the region’s betting population.
According to the regulatory institution, 55% of Alberta’s iGaming activity stems from unregulated, offshore platforms.
This data serves as a warning to the operator; players now clamour for more than what PlayAlberta.ca can offer.
Offshore operators may market enticing opportunities to reap advanced rewards – but a lack of regulation among foreign iGaming firms places Albertan players in a perilous position.
There exists no legal recourse in the event that an unregulated platform mismanages, misleads or harms a consumer and their data.
Alberta iGaming reform: Addressing a dangerous situation
Tackling unregulated gambling stands as a central component of Alberta’s revamped iGaming legislation.
Titled ‘Bill 48’, this motion heralds a new dawn for iGaming within the province. Under the provision, private iGaming firms – such as FanDuel owner, Flutter Entertainment – would be permitted to enter the territory in a legal capacity.
Should the motion , another industry overseer, dubbed the ‘Alberta iGaming Corporation’, is expected to enter the fray.
Focused solely on online amenities, the body will endeavour to form pivotal partnerships with private iGaming corporations.
In addition to an increase in the number of operators within Alberta, legislators anticipate that the online-only regulator shall integrate much-needed consumer safety protocols.
Thus, self-exclusion, fair testing procedures and strict player-profiling arrangements sit at the core of this government-headed licensing contingent.
It is anticipated that welcoming major iGaming platforms will redirect player attention from offshore gambling sites and culminate in a more secure betting environment for all.
When will Alberta’s ‘Bill 48’ ?
Bill 48 has enjoyed a smooth journey through Alberta’s legislative chambers. Its first notable hurdle, a thorough reading before the ‘Committee of the Whole Stage’, concluded in the middle of spring – with no amendments attached to any of the motion’s clauses.
The bill has since been examined by the ‘Legislative Council’ on three occasions. Although not yet signed into law, the lack of serious pushback suggests that those in attendance are content to proceed with the motion under its present format.
Awaiting Bill 48 next is a submission to ‘royal assent’ – where the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta will sign the proposal into law on behalf of the Crown.
Once signed, Bill 48 will immediately become an integral component tied to Alberta’s iGaming framework.
Private iGaming in Alberta: Launch timeline
Before tying the knot with several iGaming partners, Alberta lawmakers must set the stage for a reliable, regulated private domain.
This entails diligent planning and budgeting – as those in power strive to formulate effective solutions for safe online gambling with established, reputable, operators.
Legislative development takes time – with the latest expert projections estimating that Alberta’s private iGaming should roll into action no later than Q2 2026.
Despite a government-wide keenness to settle the matter soon, officials remain determined to put in place a stable and dependable foundation for private iGaming.
A recent financial report by Flutter Entertainment hinted at “an early 2026 launch for Alberta, Canada” when discussing new “state and territory launches”.
This is the clearest evidence for a specific start date – though the industry awaits official commentary on the topic.
Following in Ontario’s footsteps
Canada’s most populous province, Ontario, was the first domestic region to debut a private iGaming framework in 2022.
While Alberta will undoubtedly look to ‘The Heartland Province’ for guidance on how to adequately implement regulated gambling, catered to private entities, there exist a handful of pitfalls that lawmakers can ameliorate within their own province.
Ontario faced significant backlash from Indigenous communities throughout its legislative process – citing failures to communicate with and groups operating local gambling businesses.
Moreover, the regulatory body for the region – iGaming Ontario – has been criticized for overbearing marketing campaigns.
As a result, celebrities and generally prominent figures are now unable to feature in gambling ments.
Crucially, Ontario’s funding for problem gambling organizations and services sits well below the market’s demand.
Alberta lawmakers have plenty of time to learn from Ontario’s shortcomings – and the province’s impressive revenue figures demonstrate that even slight improvements could harbor results.
Alberta 2026: A secure iGaming landscape
The soon-to-be-installed Alberta iGaming Corporation will work alongside the existing AGLC to promote safe online gambling across the board.
Under Bill 48, the new regulatory corporation is set to manage provincial relations with private corporate firms and ensure that all operators, under its jurisdiction, comply with pertinent conditions expected to go live within the next year.
As for the AGLC – the PlayAlberta.ca operator will continue to refine its functionality and deliver self-regulated products via a government-owned online gambling product.
In short: the AGLC shall oversee all operations within its monopolized environment, while the Alberta iGaming Corporation carries out industry oversight for actions taken by privately-held iGaming operators.
It is important to note that, according to the proposed law, the AGLC will persist as the primary regulatory authority for all Alberta iGaming matters.
