In June this year, it was announced that Alberta would be opening up its relatively closeted iGaming market. In a move similar to one pioneered by Ontario in 2022, the province will hope to pivot players away from the unregulated grey market and add to its coffers in taxable revenue. Scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, there has been relatively little news so far, and a definite date is still being awaited.
Known as Bill 48, Alberta’s iGaming Act was originally scheduled to be enacted in the latter half of 2025. Yet this was speculative at best, and the last update came in June 2025 when Dale Nally, the Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, announced it would most likely be running by the second quarter of 2026.
The main sticking points seem to be how to approach certain matters. Tax is one of the biggest question marks, along with rules on advertising and player safety. The government has been meeting with members of the industry, third parties and the First Nations to discuss the best way to tackle this.
For consumers awaiting the announcement, checking the Alberta online casino details for new users is vital, and luckily, there are third parties who can keep players abreast of any major changes. A list of current licensed operators that are ready to launch, along with potential ones, can be found here. They also come with bonuses, such as matched deposits and free bets.
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The Alberta iGaming corporation will be responsible for overseeing all online activity related to gambling. This will include betting, casinos and other pursuits like fantasy sports. It is this body that is in discussion with the numerous bodies on how to launch the products and set standards, as Ontario did.
One of the main areas it is known to be debating is whether it will allow celebrities to advertise gambling products. Currently, athletes, celebrities and influencers are not allowed to advertise gambling products under Ontario’s model. However, Alberta may choose to go down a more US-centric route, which has opened the door for this. The path is not one many have been in favour of. A total ban on sports betting advertising was called for by 40 senators, who wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney to request it.
Those hoping for a quick launch should be mindful of a few issues. One of the most pressing issues is that Alberta recently banned the purchase of slot machines and video lottery terminals from U.S.-based suppliers. While this does not directly impact those working online, it is unknown if the reasoning behind it will apply to software development and other products imported from abroad.
Lastly, the government may simply have put this to the back of its mind. With a cooling global economy and recall votes expected at home, major changes like this may have been put on the back burner. This is not good news for those poised to launch their products. Yet for consumers, it may mean that when it does arrive, they get a safer, more competitive industry at their disposal.
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