All Eyes on Alberta for Online Gambling Legislation
Alberta could be the next Canadian province with legal and regulated online gambling.
Sources indicate that work is ongoing to establish a regulated igaming market in Alberta, encompassing online casinos, poker, and other gaming products. This would follow Ontario, which was the first province to provide its residents with real money poker and casino games.
Last month, the Alberta Government introduced Bill 48, which opened the door to a potential online gambling market for the Sunshine Province. Currently, only PlayAlberta is the only regulated gambling platform in the region, offering slots, table games, and more.
What Does the Gambling Bill Mean for Alberta?
Bill 48 seeks to introduce a new regulator for the region, similar to iGaming Ontario. This body would oversee all gaming operations in the province, including regulation and licensing for all online gambling operators who wish to operate in Alberta.
The bill was brought by Dale Nally, Alberta’s Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, who said: “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 modernize Alberta’s approach to gaming to protect the health and safety of Albertans, particularly our youth.”
With some online poker and casino games already available in Alberta through a variety of methods (more on this below), this move could be seen as an attempt for regional legislators to gain more control over gambling operations, and how residents of the province access and play igaming products in a safe and responsible way.
The bill in question will now be scrutinised for specific clauses and stipulations, and if that stage is successful, the launch of a regulated gambling market is expected later this year or early in 2026.
Can You Currently Gamble Online in Alberta?
TL:DR Version: Yes, but largely through the 'gray' market (or 'offshore' operators).
What does this mean? In essence, it means that no legal and regulated real money casinos or poker sites operate from the region itself (aside from PlayAlberta). Instead, operators are 'offshore' and licenses are granted on this basis. Gambling is not legally banned or prohibited in the province, but no regulation exists, and no licenses are granted to operators.
In Canada (outside of Ontario, which has it's own regulated market), large brands like 888casino, JackpotCity Casino, and PokerStars Casino, have taken advantage of the current position, and provide real money casino games to players in Canada using this model.
Regulation is provided by bodies like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission which issues licenses to operators for a variety of gambling products.
Following in the Steps of Ontario Online Gambling
Ontario was the first Canadian province to establish a legal and regulated online gambling market back in 2022.
Since then, the gaming market in the province has gone from strength to strength, with many of the larger operators opting to launch Ontario-specific platforms for casino games, slots, and poker. When it comes to online casinos, these include BetMGM Casino, PokerStars Casino, and JackpotCity Casino.
And it's not just about the big names, the numbers stack up here too. IGaming Business recently reported that in the 12 months between 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, online gambling increased by 32% year on year to a huge C$3.2 billion1.
Ontario resident? Find your next online casino with our full Ontario Casino Guide!
Read moreAlberta Online Gambling: What's Next?
Whatever the outcome, it's certain that all eyes in the gaming world will be keeping a close eye on Alberta in the coming months. If the numbers coming out of Ontario are anything to go by, the prospect of online casino games in AB, is a mouthwatering prospect.
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