Alberta to Join Ranks of Regulated Gambling Provinces Sometime in 2025

Alberta is primed to become the second Canadian province to fully embrace online gambling and sports betting, with lawmakers now scrambling to hammer out the final details that will govern the rules of how the license-based market unfolds.

Although the province already hosts a state-run gambling platform, the ambition is to expand to a fully-fledged license model,

Alberta Gearing Up for Regulated Market Launch

However, it is not yet clear when the actual launch will get underway, as confirmed by Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, Dale Nally, who said that the priority in launching the regulated gambling market would be ensuring that consumers are protected and that the safety and health of Albertans comes first.

“We want to get our iGaming strategy right to ensure fairness and transparency to everyone. Industry stakeholders have told us that we need to continue our conversations so they can provide more input on the model. We are doing just that. Further engagements will also bring opportunities that align with our red tape reduction priorities,” Nally said in a lengthy statement.

Alberta finds itself in a state not unlike the one Ontario was in prior to legalizing the gambling industry. The grey market, meaning overseas and usually respectable brands that advertise and do not pay tax, is proliferating in the province.

Play Alberta, the only legal and regulated gambling platform in the state is going to rake in $5.36 billion worth of wagers for the 2023/24 period, but it could be doing much better had it not been for the unregulated market which is operating freely.

However, the consensus is that a license-based market approach will usually yield better results. The licensed market will happen, but it might take until the end of 2025 to get underway, as no specific details have now emerged.

Tax and Other Details Yet to Be Ironed Out

A few of the details are also still a moving target. For example, the exact rate of taxation has not been elaborated just yet, with a floated rate of 20-25% still discussed.

Gambling in Canada ought to be brought to provinces, as there is a strong demand for regulated gambling, with nearly 90% of all people who participate in gambling activities in places such as Ontario choosing to play at a regulated website.