- The Alberta iGaming Act moved through a second reading this week
- Bill 48: the iGaming Alberta Act will bring new operators under umbrella of Alberta’s regulated gaming market
- The bill now moves to the Committee of the Whole
A bill to open Alberta up to multiple iGaming and sports betting operators has so far moved relatively easily through the Canadian legislative process.
Service Alberta Minister Dave Nally’s Bill 48: the iGaming Alberta Act, which establishes the Alberta iGaming Corporation to oversee the operation of a private regulated market and bring new gaming operators under the umbrella of regulated provincial gaming, was approved on second reading this week.
While the bill still lacks some major details, its next committee stop may help clarify its framework.
Committee of the Whole Awaits
Nally’s bill has been moved forward to the Committee of the Whole, where it will undergo an extensive review of its contents and be open for amendments.
The bill will allow multiple private-sector operators to do business in Alberta, allowing those operating in the gray market to license themselves in the province. It also establishes the Alberta iGaming Corporation to regulate, license, and oversee the operations of iGaming.
However, the bill has not yet set tax rates or licensing fees for the incoming licensed operators. The Committee of the Whole will likely introduce new amendments to help clarify these important points.
While PlayAlberta is currently the only legal Alberta sports betting app and regulated iGaming site in the province, it is not necessarily the only operator currently in the province. A number of operators are currently offering gaming in Alberta as part of the gray market, where they offer their games to Canadian sports bettors and customers but the government collects no tax revenues from their services.
PlayAlberta, Nally said during the bill’s introduction, only holds about 45% of the total Alberta sports betting and iGaming market.
Will Alberta Mirror Ontario’s Market?
Ontario is currently the only province in Canada that allows multiple regulated iGaming and sports betting operators. Ontario currently has 49 registered iGaming operators in the province. It taxes iGaming and sports betting at a rate of 20%.
Alberta’s expanded market launch date has had several predictions, with regulators at one point hoping for a late 2024 launch. During his initial press conference to introduce the bill, Nally provided some clarification on when this could get off the ground.
While not giving an exact date, Nally said he hopes it will launch in late 2025 or in early 2026.
In recent months, significant progress has been made on Alberta sports betting legislation, bringing the province one step closer to legalizing single-event sports betting. This development comes after the federal government passed Bill C-218, which amended the Criminal Code to allow provinces and territories to regulate single-event sports betting within their jurisdictions.
The Alberta government has been working diligently to draft legislation that will regulate and oversee sports betting in the province. This includes establishing a regulatory framework to ensure the integrity of sports betting and protect consumers from potential harm.
One of the key components of the proposed legislation is the establishment of a regulatory body to oversee sports betting activities in Alberta. This body will be responsible for issuing licenses to operators, monitoring betting activities, and enforcing regulations to ensure compliance with the law.
Additionally, the legislation will include measures to promote responsible gambling, such as age verification requirements, self-exclusion programs, and support for problem gambling prevention and treatment services.
The legalization of single-event sports betting in Alberta is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, generating revenue for the province and creating new opportunities for businesses in the sports betting industry. It will also provide sports fans with a safe and regulated environment to place bets on their favorite teams and events.
Overall, the progress made on Alberta sports betting legislation is a significant step forward in modernizing the province’s gambling laws and providing a regulated and secure environment for sports betting enthusiasts. With continued efforts from the government and stakeholders, Alberta is on track to join other provinces in offering legal single-event sports betting to its residents.