Key points:
- The Alberta Government has introduced Bill 48 called the iGaming Alberta Act, which would establish the Alberta iGaming Corporation
- The proposed changes would create more consumer protections, a centralised self-exclusion system and clear age restrictions for online gaming participants
The provincial government in Alberta has introduced Bill 48: the iGaming Alberta Act. This legislation aims to establish the Alberta iGaming Corporation, introducing a new regulated framework for private operators.
The Alberta iGaming Corporation will oversee private sector participation in the regulated market, while Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) will remain the regulator.
The iGaming Alberta Act would introduce consumer protection safeguards, including a centralised self-exclusion system to help individuals limit their gambling activities across all platforms. The legislation also reinforces that the minimum legal age for online gambling is 18.
With these changes, the Alberta Government will also be able to collect gambling revenues currently lost to unregulated operators and reinvest them into the province while promoting responsible gaming through programs such as GameSense.
Good to know: PlayAlberta is currently the only legal and regulated iGaming platform in the province
Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, stated: "Our goal is not to create new gamblers, but to make existing online gambling safer.
"As the gaming industry continues to evolve globally and in Alberta, it is important that we modernise Alberta’s approach to gaming to protect the health and safety of Albertans, particularly our youth. The legislation we are introducing, if approved, would take the first steps towards this."
