Alberta launched its regulated online betting and iGaming market on July 13, 2026. It is the second Canadian province after Ontario to adopt a commercial multi-operator model. Before launch, offshore unregulated sites accounted for 70% of the province's gambling activity.
Twenty-two operators went live at launch, including Play Alberta; six weeks later that number reached 31. Operators retain 80% of revenue, with 20% going to the provincial government. An additional 1% of GGR funds treatment, prevention and education programmes for problem gambling.
Provincial minister Dale Nally told Global Gaming Expo (G2E) that an expanded licensed offering is the main tool for displacing unlicensed operators. Alberta requires operators to meet player-protection standards and participate in a province-wide self-exclusion system launched by Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) ahead of market opening.
Nally said the province intends to use all available measures against unlicensed sites but committed not to begin enforcement before October 13. He also noted a contradiction in advertising rules: restrictions apply only to licensed brands, leaving offshore operators visible on social media and search engines. Alberta has discussed the issue with Google, Apple and social platforms, though no concrete outcomes have been disclosed.
AiGC oversees the market; the regulator is Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC). AiGC general counsel Steve Inglis identified clear AML and data-protection rules as priorities. It remains unclear how quickly the growing licensed market is actually drawing traffic away from offshore sites.
