Alberta may have given the first clear indication as to a timeframe regarding when the Canadian province will launch its regulated iGaming market.
The market’s regulator, Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC), has published an iGaming guidance document covering the transition period, offering details to commercial operators who are interested in acquiring a licence for the region.
Information featured in the document on expectations for unregulated market operators ahead of the transition includes that applications must be submitted, applicable registration fees must be paid and unregulated activity must cease by 13 July.
The AGLC said: “Any operator, or their associated entities, who is or has been operating an unregulated lottery scheme in Alberta must submit a completed application and pay all applicable registration fees to AGLC no later than July 13, 2026. Additionally, operators must also cease any unregulated lottery scheme activities (i.e. taking bets) by July 13, 2026.
“AGLC may consider a maximum of three months (October 13, 2026) extension to this date on a case-by-case basis, only where an operator can demonstrate a path to compliance for market launch that was unattainable prior to July 13, 2026.”
While this is not a concrete launch date for Alberta’s iGaming market, it does provide the industry with an indication of the current ‘go live’ direction the province is travelling in and at what speed.
Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) – responsible for commercial agreements, anti-money laundering (AML), public complaints and financials and reporting income – will determine when the market will launch.
The AGLC added that all unregulated market activity must stop by the ‘go live’ date announced, whether or not such date is after 13 July or 13 October this year.
Several operators have expressed interest in entering the regulated iGaming market in Alberta, including Caesars Entertainment. However, despite the strong interest, the AGLC has stated that fewer than 10 have paid the fees necessary to date.
It also noted that the six-month exemption provision applies only to an iGaming supplier that has paid the required fees and has received written confirmation from AGLC that the application has been accepted.
The AGLC stated: “Despite strong interest from over 55 operator sites, only 9 sites have paid the required fees to date. Regulatory Services is closely monitoring advertising and overall market activity; continued non-compliance may materially impact future suitability determinations.”
As for player accounts on unregulated sites before they transition to the regulated market, the AGLC stated that all outstanding bets must be satisfied or cancelled beforehand, including settling any open wagers, returning player account balances and informing players about account closure timelines and procedures.
Earlier this year, the AGLC published the Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming, outlining the key components for iGaming in the province, including licensing fees, tax rates, advertising and player protection.
Parts of the province’s iGaming direction had been known since spring last year, when the iGaming Alberta Act was passed.
