Alberta Sets iGaming Regulatory Framework Ahead of Planned 2026 Market Launch
Alberta is moving closer to launching a regulated iGaming market after formally introducing a comprehensive regulatory framework that is setting the conditions for private market entry later this year. The framework is being positioned as a response to the scale of unregulated online gambling currently accessible to Albertans, with consumer protection placed at the centre of the policy design.
Government is prioritising player protection
Provincial officials are emphasising that regulation is being designed to protect players rather than accelerate market growth. Dale Nally, Minister, Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction is stating that the government is stepping in because unregulated iGaming is already widely available and is posing risks, particularly to younger demographics. The province is focusing on limiting youth exposure and reducing gambling-related harm as the market is being structured.
Advertising controls are being introduced that will prevent licensed operators from targeting minors or using professional athletes in gambling promotions. These measures are reinforcing Alberta’s intent to align market access with social responsibility standards from the outset.
Regulators are shaping a controlled market model
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) is overseeing licensing and compliance, while the Alberta iGaming Corporation is continuing to manage operational elements of the market. This separation of roles is mirroring established Canadian regulatory models and is providing clarity around accountability as the market is taking shape.
Licensed operators will be required to offer system-wide self-exclusion tools, financial limits, and time controls. Providers are also being required to monitor player activity and intervene when risky behaviour is emerging, signalling a more active regulatory posture than that seen in unregulated environments.
Market impact is being closely watched
From a fiscal perspective, Alberta is attempting to recapture revenue currently flowing to offshore platforms. Officials are estimating that illegal operators may still control a significant share of the market, despite strong performance from the government-run PlayAlberta platform.
As registration with AGLC is now opening, operators and suppliers are evaluating whether they will be entering the market under these conditions. Over the coming months, Alberta will be testing whether a tightly regulated, player-first approach is attracting sustainable participation while reshaping consumer behaviour.
