Alberta opens online gambling market to private operators
Essential brief
Alberta has officially opened its online gambling and sports betting market to private operators following regulatory changes. Twenty-two private companies, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and TheSc
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Why it matters
Alberta's decision to open its online gambling market to private operators represents a major regulatory shift aimed at curbing unregulated gambling activity and increasing provincial revenue. By bringing private companies under legal oversight, Alberta seeks to enhance consumer protections and address the growing risks of online gambling addiction. This move aligns Alberta with Ontario as one of the few Canadian provinces to regulate private iGaming, setting a precedent for other jurisdictions.
Alberta has expanded its online gambling and sports betting market to include private operators after recent regulatory changes came into effect. The Alberta iGaming Corporation, responsible for managing the province's iGaming market, announced the opening of the private market, with 22 private operators already active. These include well-known companies such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and TheScore Bet, competing alongside Alberta's government-run PlayAlberta platform. Additionally, over 50 other operators have received licenses from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).
The decision to allow private operators follows similar moves by Ontario, which opened its market in 2022 to regulate private iGaming companies. Ontario's approach aimed to ensure game integrity, data security, and compliance with anti-money laundering laws while capturing revenue lost to unregulated "grey market" sites. Alberta's strategy mirrors these goals, seeking to bring more players under a legal framework and increase provincial revenues.
Despite the availability of PlayAlberta, which recorded $5.3 billion in wagers in 2024, the province estimates that only 23 to 32 percent of online gamblers used the platform, with the majority turning to unregulated sites. The introduction of private operators is expected to reduce the grey market's share and improve consumer protections.
However, concerns remain regarding the risks of online gambling. The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction's 2025 report highlights that online gamblers are significantly more likely to exceed risk thresholds and develop problem gambling behaviors compared to traditional lottery players. Following the market opening, some grey market operators, such as CoolBets, have exited Alberta, citing the regulatory changes.
Alberta now joins Ontario as one of only two Canadian provinces to permit private online gambling operators, marking a significant shift in the country's iGaming landscape. The province continues to monitor the market's development and its social impacts as private operators expand their presence.
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