Alberta now calls operators to apply for its new licensing model after a long wait.

Key Points

• Alberta confirmed registration for iGaming licences in the province is now open.
• No date for the launch of the province’s iGaming market has been announced.
• Operators must register with AGLC and AiGC as part of a dual-regulatory system.
• Companies will also integrate the central self-exclusion system as part of their application process.

Eighteen months passed after Alberta said it would follow Ontario down the regulatory road and AGLC opened its iGaming licence procurement process. Many recall Minister Dale Nally at the Canadian Gaming Summit in 2024 and he said Alberta would be the second province to regulate online gambling. Ontario had a regulated market and many saw success and Alberta now set its gears for a 2026 launch after the iGaming operator applicant registration guide went live on the AGLC site.

Registration Across the Province

AGLC owns and operates the monopoly gaming operator PlayAlberta and the province plans to open the market under a dual-registration licence process. Prospective operators now register with AGLC and also register with Alberta iGaming Corporation AiGC. AiGC will enforce AML laws and oversee commercial agreements, public complaints and financial reporting and take the role of primary regulator. AGLC will run technological certifications and run the central self-exclusion program. Both iGaming operator and service supplier licences are now open for applications and AGLC said all operators will integrate with its self-exclusion program.

Fees and Facts

Licensing fees in Alberta require iGaming operators to pay a one-time CA$50,000 US$36,000 application fee and an annual CA$150,000 registration fee. Suppliers pay CA$15,000 annual registration or CA$3,000 registration for alternative goods and services. Overall revenue by the market will see a 3% governmental reduction, with 2% for First Nations funding and 1% for social responsibility. Remaining NGR will see an 80/20 split with 80% to operators and no date exists for the formal Alberta launch.

Alberta and Ontario

Alberta now calls operators to apply for its new licensing model after a long wait. Alberta said it would be the second Canadian province to regulate online gambling, and the Ontario model would act like a blueprint. Alberta shares many parts with Ontario. Some differences include dual-regulation between AGLC and AiGC as the most notable. The 80/20 market revenue split also delivers revenue mechanics that differ from Ontario. Another difference sees AGLC take a role in the management of the self-exclusion system and Ontario operators run separate databases. Self-exclusion in Alberta covers online and land-based gaming and any registered player loses entry into all casinos and casino sites. Operators in Alberta must also send monthly reminders for players to check balance statements and that does not happen in Ontario.