Alberta’s Regulatory Shift: A New Opportunity for iGaming

The path to a competitive online gaming market in Alberta just became much clearer.

In May 2025, the Legislative Assembly of Alberta passed Bill 48 — the iGaming Alberta Act, laying the groundwork for a regulated commercial market for online casino and sports betting. With Royal Assent expected imminently, Alberta is poised to become the second province in Canada, after Ontario, to open its doors to private-sector operators in a meaningful way.

For gaming operators, technology providers, and other stakeholders, this marks a significant new opportunity in one of Canada’s wealthiest and most engaged gambling markets.

What Bill 48 Establishes

Introduced by Minister Dale Nally, Bill 48 provides the legal framework for Alberta’s transition from a single-operator model (via Play Alberta) to a regulated, multi-operator commercial market. Key components of the legislation include:

  • Continued oversight by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC)

  • The creation of a new body: the Alberta iGaming Corporation, which will oversee the commercial market

  • Permission for private operators to enter the market through a forthcoming licensing process

  • A centralized self-exclusion system to support responsible gambling

  • A mandate to promote responsible gambling tools, including GameSense

The bill passed without amendments and with wide support, signalling strong political backing for Alberta’s iGaming future.

Timeline and Market Potential

While licensing details — such as tax rates, fees, and the number of approved operators — have yet to be finalized, Minister Nally has stated that commercial online wagering could go live by Q2 2026.

This gives potential entrants a clear target and ample time to prepare.

With a population of 4.7 million, high internet access, and a mature land-based casino market, Alberta offers a compelling opportunity for operators that want to establish early market share in a regulated Canadian province.

A New Market, Built on Familiar Foundations

Although Alberta’s current online gambling is limited to Play Alberta, the new framework will draw from best practices observed in Ontario, including:

  • Competitive licensing

  • Regulatory oversight with flexibility to evolve

  • Transparent rules around advertising and compliance

  • Requirements for responsible gambling promotion and data reporting

Play Alberta will continue to operate as a government-run platform, co-existing with private operators — a model similar to how some European jurisdictions run lotteries alongside iGaming.

Responsible Gambling Remains Central

An important focus of Bill 48 is responsible gambling (RG). The bill calls for a unified, centralized self-exclusion system and mandates the integration of responsible gaming tools such as British Columbia’s GameSense program.

Notably, Minister Nally emphasized that RG oversight should remain with regulators rather than be locked into legislation. This approach allows Alberta’s RG framework to adapt quickly to new insights and player behaviour trends.

What This Means for Operators and Providers

For commercial gaming operators, Alberta’s shift opens a new frontier in the Canadian market. But success will depend on:

  • Strong compliance infrastructure

  • Experience working with North American regulators

  • Technological agility to meet certification and reporting standards

  • A commitment to responsible play and player protection

At Boyd Interactive, we welcome Alberta’s direction and are well-positioned to support operators preparing for entry. With over 12 years of experience delivering regulated iGaming solutions in North America, we provide:

  • A flexible, compliant Player Account Management system

  • Seamless casino and sportsbook integrations

  • Operational support for launch, scale, and retention

  • Expertise in omni-channel engagement for land-based and digital convergence

Learn More About Our B2B Solutions →

Looking Ahead

The passage of Bill 48 represents a watershed moment for Alberta — and for Canada’s broader iGaming industry.

Much work remains: licensing frameworks, tax policy, and operational guidelines must still be finalized. But the message is clear: Alberta is open to iGaming, and operators ready to meet the province’s high standards will be rewarded with early mover advantage in a promising, well-regulated market.

For those seeking long-term success in Canadian iGaming, Alberta is the next chapter.

Please note that Boyd Interactive operated as Pala Interactive until its acquisition by Boyd Gaming Corporation in November 2022. Some articles may reference Pala and Boyd interchangeably. Any views or opinions expressed in these articles are those of Boyd Interactive and do not necessarily reflect the views of Boyd Gaming Corporation.