Bill 48 Clears Second Hurdle as Alberta Eyes Regulated iGaming

Alberta stands on the edge of a big change in how it handles online gambling. Bill 48 called the iGaming Alberta Act, has made it through its second reading in the province’s lawmaking body. This suggests Alberta might soon let private companies run online sportsbooks, casinos, and poker sites under the province’s rules.

New Bill Targets Grey Market Gambling as Alberta Eyes Regulatory Shift

The bill, which came out in March, is part of a bigger plan by the United Conservative Party (UCP) to open up Alberta’s gambling sector. This plan looks a lot like Ontario’s competitive iGaming model. Right now, Alberta has one regulated platform, Play Alberta, which the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) runs. However, officials think most gambling in the province happens on websites from other places or countries. People call these websites part of the grey market.

The new bill aims to shift this activity into a controlled setting by giving people more legal choices and making current unregulated operators get licenses under the new provincial system.

Dale Nally, who leads the Ministry of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction and is pushing for this bill, stressed that the main goal is to boost player safety, not to make gambling more available, as reported by Covers. He also pointed out that this plan should help get back lost money and put it into public services and programs that support First Nations.

Critics Question Oversight in Alberta’s Gambling Bill 

People who do nоt agree with the government, such as those from the NDP, worry about the bill’s lack of clear rules. They are concerned about advertising and responsible gambling. One NDP member compared it to buying a car without knowing if it has important safety features. Nally countered this criticism by saying they would make specific rules after the law passes, just like Ontario did. Ontario created its rules through its gaming commission after passing the main law.

Before the final vote, lawmakers still need to review Bill 48 line by line in the Committee of the Whole. If it passes, Alberta will become the second province in Canada to have a competitive online gambling market. The gambling industry’s top minds are feeling upbeat. Alberta’s young, well-off residents make the province a hot spot for betting.

According to forecasts, online gambling could bring in over $700 million each year once everything is up and running. At first, the province aimed to kick things off in late 2024, but now the stakeholders involved expect to get the ball rolling by early 2026.