- After being introduced in March, Alberta Bill 48 passed its second reading with hopes to bring online casinos and sportsbooks to the province.
EDMONTON – Alberta’s push to create its own online gaming industry passed its second reading last week en route to the Committee of the Whole. The iGaming Alberta Act, or Bill 48 introduced by Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally, seeks to open Alberta’s online gaming market to multiple private operators.
This model mirrors Ontario’s regulated gambling scene by establishing the Alberta iGaming Corporation, a new regulatory body to oversee sports betting in Canada in that province.
While the bill’s passage through second reading marks legislative progress, many key details remain unresolved. Notably, the Alberta sports betting bill does not yet specify tax rates or licensing fees for incoming operators.
These are critical components for both government revenue and business planning but are expected to be addressed during the committee phase.
When Bill 48 was first introduced in late March, the province’s intentions were clear: bring taxes from sportsbooks to the province on the mindset of consumer safety. With the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission overseeing the sole legal sports betting platform, PlayAlberta, this only accounts for about 45% of the market.
The remainder is dominated by offshore sportsbooks that accept Canadians.
If they continue to mirror how sports betting in Ontario works, Alberta could see nearly 50 local sportsbooks and online casinos taxed at 20%.
What’s Next
As the iGaming Alberta Act enters the Committee of the Whole, lawmakers are expected to propose amendments that clarify regulatory structure, operator obligations, and financial frameworks.
Although much progress still has to happen before launching, Minister Nally has suggested that Alberta’s regulated iGaming market could debut at the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026. While this is slightly later than the initial estimates targeting late 2024, there is progress.
If passed and fully implemented, Alberta would become just the second Canadian province to open its mobile sports betting sector to private companies.
