- Alberta’s sports betting bill is moving through the Committee on the Whole
- A number of responsible gaming amendments were voted down
- The bill will have its third reading in the committee soon
Alberta sports betting legislation continues its march forward, as the Committee on the Whole discussed the provincial sports betting legislation for the first time this week.
Members of the New Democratic Party proposed a number of amendments to change the responsible gaming elements of Service Alberta Minister Dave Nally’s Bill 48: the iGaming Alberta Act, all of which were defeated by a 38-16 vote.
Nally’s legislation 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.
Third Reading on Bill Upcoming
Members of the New Democratic Party (NDP) introduced a number of amendments to Nally’s act this week, most of which centered around responsible gaming elements and player protection services. Gurinder Brar, NDP Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, proposed an amendment requiring the Alberta iGaming Corporation to undergo periodic mandatory independent evaluations of its effectiveness and set up a dedicated online responsible gambling program for customers.
The amendments were defeated by a 38-16 votes, however, as the controlling United Conservative Party members expressed their desires that responsible gaming practices be included in the province’s sports betting regulations, not its laws.
Several members of the NDP also noted that the bill felt incomplete. The bill still does not included set tax rates or licensing fees for the incoming licensed operators.
If passed on third reading, the bill will have overcome its most difficult hurdles and will likely be signed into law.
New Sports Betting Framework in Alberta
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.
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.
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.
The Alberta Sports Betting Bill has been making progress in committee, with lawmakers working diligently to ensure that the legislation is fair, effective, and in line with the needs of the province’s sports betting industry. The bill, which aims to regulate and legalize sports betting in Alberta, has been met with both support and opposition from various stakeholders.
One of the key aspects of the bill is its focus on consumer protection. Lawmakers are keen to ensure that sports bettors in Alberta are protected from fraud, manipulation, and other unethical practices. This includes measures such as age verification, responsible gambling programs, and strict regulations on advertising and promotion.
Another important aspect of the bill is its potential economic impact. Legalizing sports betting in Alberta could bring in significant revenue for the province, as well as create jobs and stimulate economic growth. This has been a major selling point for supporters of the bill, who argue that it could help boost Alberta’s economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, there are also concerns about the potential negative impacts of legalized sports betting. Opponents of the bill worry about issues such as addiction, match-fixing, and the potential for organized crime to infiltrate the industry. These concerns have led to heated debates in committee meetings, with lawmakers working to address these issues through amendments and other measures.
Overall, the progress of the Alberta Sports Betting Bill in committee has been a complex and challenging process. Lawmakers are faced with balancing the potential benefits of legalized sports betting with the need to protect consumers and uphold ethical standards. As the bill moves forward, it will be important for all stakeholders to continue to engage in constructive dialogue and work together to ensure that Alberta’s sports betting industry is regulated effectively and responsibly.
