New Online Sports Betting Standards in Alberta

On January 13, 2026, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) published an 85-page document titled Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming (SRIG). In essence, it sets out the rules for iGaming – particularly online betting – that will shape how the market operates in the province. The document addresses licensing, player protection, advertising, and game integrity oversight. Operator registration is already open, although the official launch date of the commercial market has not yet been announced. In one of our previous articles, we already explored what Alberta’s betting future may look like.

Key iGaming governing bodies in Alberta

Alberta is becoming the second Canadian province to open a regulated market to private operators. This approach mirrors the Ontario model, where commercial operations launched in April 2022. The governance structure is similar: AGLC acts as the regulatory authority, while the newly established Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) will manage the market. AGLC Vice President of Gaming Dan Keene is serving as interim head of AiGC, while recruitment is underway for compliance, finance, and legal specialists.

The main difference lies in the role of the provincial operator. In Ontario, the regulator (AGCO) and the government platform operator (OLG) are separate entities. In Alberta, AGLC combines both functions: it will remain the regulator and continue operating Play Alberta, the province’s only legal online platform. We previously discussed the potential implications of this setup. According to analysts, Play Alberta currently accounts for approximately 25–30% of online gambling activity in the province, while the remaining 70% is handled by unregulated offshore operators.

Further similarities and differences compared to Ontario’s model

Ontario’s framework has been in place for nearly four years. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, the province generated $3.2 billion in gross gaming revenue – up 32% year over year. Total betting volume reached $82.7 billion.

Ontario’s market includes 49 licensed operators managing 84 websites. According to an IPSOS study, regulated platforms now account for 83.7% of market activity. This reflects a shrinking grey market: from 17% in 2023 to 7% in 2024, based on estimates by H2 Gambling Capital.

Alberta aims to achieve a similar outcome. However, there is one notable difference. Land-based casinos in Alberta will be allowed to partner with licensed operators and open on-site sportsbook locations. Racetracks and professional sports clubs are included as well. This means fans of the Edmonton Oilers or Calgary Flames may be able to place bets directly at the arena during games – an option not available in Ontario.

Taxes and fees: what operators will pay in Alberta

For years, the industry has urged Alberta to adopt a tax rate close to Ontario’s. The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) advocated for a 20% share of gross gaming revenue, matching Ontario’s framework. Alberta responded – but with an added layer.

Before applying the tax rate, the province deducts 3% of operators’ gross revenue. Of this amount, 2% is allocated to Indigenous programs, while 1% supports responsible gaming initiatives. After this deduction, the standard 20% tax applies, resulting in a tax rate of approximately 22.4%.

Market entry costs are also higher than in some other jurisdictions. Operators must pay a one-time application fee of $50,000 and an annual fee of $150,000 per website. Platform and game software providers pay $15,000 per year. Payment providers, sportsbooks, and integrity monitoring services are charged $3,000 annually.

Economic impact: financial gains for Alberta’s budget

Alberta aims to reclaim a portion of the estimated $4 billion Canadians spend annually on offshore gambling sites. The provincial government emphasizes that a regulated market is not only about revenue but also about restoring control over financial flows. Ontario has already shown tangible results. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, the province generated more than $1.6 billion in tax revenue from online gambling, funding healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Analysts project Alberta’s market at approximately $700 million per year. This is a conservative estimate, as the province ranks among the highest in Canada for per-capita gambling expenditure. If players migrate from offshore platforms to regulated options, actual figures could exceed expectations.

Player protection: Alberta’s core market priority

Alberta is introducing a unified self-exclusion system covering all online platforms and land-based casinos. Minister Dale Nally stated: “when you hit that button, you will not just be self-excluded from all online sites, but from land-based casinos and racing entertainment centres.”

The system will launch alongside the regulated market. Operators are also required to offer time limits, betting limits, and detailed activity statements. When suspicious behaviour is detected, intervention protocols apply, with game integrity monitored by independent third parties. The minimum player age is 18. Geolocation is verified automatically, and wagering is permitted only for individuals physically located in Alberta.

Advertising rules will be strict. The province plans to prohibit the use of professional athletes in sportsbook advertising to reduce influence on younger audiences.

Additional requirements and oversight by AGLC

Alberta has introduced a strict condition: operators and suppliers must fully cease all unregulated activity within the province if they wish to obtain a license. This differs from Ontario’s approach, where a longer transition period allowed players to continue using grey-market platforms while operators completed the licensing process.

Operators are also prohibited from working with agencies or services that promote unlicensed platforms. The goal is to accelerate the exit from the grey market and direct players to regulated platforms from day one.

Risks and challenges for Alberta’s iGaming market

The transition phase presents the biggest challenge. Players are accustomed to offshore platforms, which often offer broader features and higher limits. Alberta may face resistance from users unwilling to switch to regulated sites immediately.

Grey-market operators will not disappear overnight. In Ontario, despite nearly four years of regulated operations, 16.3% of players still use unlicensed platforms. While this is lower than two years ago (13.6%), the trend shows that fully eliminating the grey market takes time.

Alberta is adopting a hardline approach from day one. Operators must immediately exit the unregulated market. This may lead to cancelled futures bets or other disruptions for players previously using such platforms, increasing the risk of consumer dissatisfaction.

There is also uncertainty around how quickly major brands like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM will receive licenses. BetMGM has already confirmed its readiness, but timelines depend on AGLC’s application processing speed and the completion of commercial agreements with AiGC.

How Alberta’s experience may influence other provinces

Alberta is effectively becoming a test case for the rest of Canada. British Columbia, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces continue to rely on monopoly-based models. In British Columbia, PlayNow.com is operated by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. In Quebec, Espacejeux.com is run by Loto-Québec.

The grey market remains dominant. According to H2 Gambling Capital, offshore operators account for roughly 56% of activity in Quebec and 51% in British Columbia. Before regulation, Alberta was losing around 70% of player activity to unlicensed platforms. If Alberta demonstrates revenue growth and a decline in grey-market share – as Ontario did – other provinces may follow.

Final thoughts

The official launch date of Alberta’s commercial market has yet to be confirmed. Minister Dale Nally told CTV News that the new rules are “likely to come into force in late spring.” Operators expect the rollout to occur within the next few months. The publication of the standards and the opening of registration signal tangible progress. The province is finalizing AiGC staffing, addressing technical integration with the self-exclusion system, and preparing advertising restrictions.

Alberta is following Ontario’s path – but with distinct adjustments. If the model succeeds, other provinces may reconsider their monopoly-based frameworks. For players, this means more choice, stronger safeguards, and greater transparency. For governments, it means renewed control over revenue streams and the ability to fund social programs. Alberta is betting on strict regulation. The coming months will reveal whether that bet pays off.

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