Alberta’s iGambling Bill: A Bold Move With Unanswered Questions

The bill to launch online gambling in Alberta is still under review in the provincial legislature, but it has already sparked strong reactions. One major point of criticism is the lack of clarity. The New Democratic Party representatives have called the document underdeveloped – as one member put it, it’s “just like buying a car without knowing if it has brakes or a steering wheel.”

Beyond vague language, there’s concern over the absence of a scientific foundation for assessing the risks of gambling addiction. Alberta is home to the Alberta Gambling Research Institute, a collaboration between the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and University of Lethbridge. Although past research has been conducted, there is currently a lack of data on the province’s current gambling addiction levels. Without this information, it’s impossible to build an effective system for monitoring and prevention.

Bill 48: what we know so far

Bill 48, also known as the iGaming Alberta Act, recently passed its second reading in Alberta’s legislative assembly. Debate at this stage was minimal – just one hour. The document now moves to the Committee of the Whole, where it will be reviewed clause by clause, and amendments may be proposed.

The bill’s core idea is to establish a regulated online gambling market in Alberta, modelled after Ontario’s approach. It suggests allowing private operators to obtain licenses and compete with the government-run platform, Play Alberta. A new body – the iGaming Alberta Corporation – will be created to manage the commercial side of the market. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will remain the regulatory authority and continue to operate Play Alberta.

However, the bill lacks specifics on key parameters: tax rates, licensing fees, operational rules for providers, and user protection requirements. While these details are expected to be worked out later – following consultations with Indigenous communities, businesses, and the public – many are calling for more clarity now.

Another key point: according to Dale Nally, Alberta’s Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, the bill’s goal is not to open new revenue streams for the province, but to protect bettors from addiction and other risks. The proposed law includes the launch of a centralized self-exclusion system – more on that below.

Gambling addiction without statistics: what’s missing before the launch

One of the bill’s most vulnerable aspects is the absence of up-to-date data on the prevalence of gambling addiction in Alberta. Without this information, it’s difficult to assess the province’s starting point as it prepares to launch online gambling – and to track how things change when private operators enter the market.

Alberta’s Gambling Research Institute already studies gambling, including its social and psychological dimensions. However, in recent years, little specific data has been published on the scale of the problem within Alberta itself. While there are general studies, there is no detailed picture to support policy and regulatory planning.

The lack of baseline statistics isn’t just a technical issue. Without them, it’s impossible to evaluate risks, identify the most vulnerable groups, or target prevention efforts effectively. It also makes resource planning difficult – for example, forecasting demand on support services or predicting how many users might join the self-exclusion system.

Ontario faced similar research gaps during its online gambling rollout. This led to challenges in tracking consequences and public skepticism about published data. Alberta still has a chance to learn from these mistakes and start on a more transparent, evidence-based footing. But to do that, it must invest in research before new operators enter the market – not after.

The dual role of AGLC: where’s the line between oversight and competition?

The proposed market structure makes it clear that the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission will hold a special position. On one hand, it will continue running the government platform, Play Alberta. On the other, it will regulate the entire online gambling market, including private operators.

This raises concerns. When a single entity is both a market participant and the regulator, it’s hard to ensure a level playing field. Private companies will be bound by rules set by a competitor – one that has a vested interest in the success of its own platform.

It’s still unclear how the bill plans to separate these roles. There’s no mention of specific measures to prevent conflicts of interest or oversight mechanisms to hold AGLC accountable in its regulatory role. This is especially important given the bill’s stated goal of creating a “safe environment” for players. Without independent supervision, that goal may remain theoretical.

Other jurisdictions have shown that such setups often require transparent procedures: internal divisions within regulatory bodies, regular reporting, and participation by external auditors. These mechanisms are not yet evident in Bill 48. This is another area that needs further development before the bill is finalized.

Centralized self-exclusion: a step forward in tackling addiction

One of the few clear provisions in Bill 48 is the creation of a centralized self-exclusion system. This is a crucial measure, allowing players to block access to all licensed online gambling platforms with a single action. Unlike Ontario, where a similar system is still in development, Alberta plans to launch it from the outset.

Self-exclusion is vital for protecting vulnerable players. Those struggling with addiction often cannot quit on their own, even in the face of serious consequences. A centralized system can prevent situations where users simply open new accounts on different platforms, making it harder to monitor and intervene.

However, this system alone won’t solve all problems. It must be effective – meaning it should work across all operators and be user-friendly. Rehabilitation options should also be integrated, and the system should track how often users try to re-enter the market after self-excluding.

The Alberta Gambling Research Institute could play a key role here, providing independent evaluations of the system’s performance and its impact on statistics. This would enable the province to adjust its approach if early strategies fall short.

Introducing this system is the right move. We’ve emphasized responsible gaming in many of our articles. But for the system to make a real impact, it must be implemented thoughtfully – and continuously improved over time.

Conclusion: careful preparation is key

Launching online gambling in Alberta could be a landmark development for the province – but it also raises many unresolved issues. Bill 48, while important, leaves a lot of open questions, from missing details to concerns over regulation and player protection.

Without a solid research base, an understanding of current addiction rates, and ongoing monitoring, the province risks running into problems. It’s especially essential to conduct research before launch, so that changes can be tracked and targeted measures can be introduced as needed. The centralized self-exclusion system is undoubtedly a step in the right direction in combating gambling addiction, but it, too, requires careful setup and long-term oversight.

If Alberta can address these concerns early on and develop transparent, effective protection mechanisms, the new market could become both safe and competitive. If not, early missteps could damage its reputation and erode public trust.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on this process – so if this topic interests you, stay tuned to our site for future updates.

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