Alberta will open its regulated online gambling market to private operators on July 13. Provincial authorities project the newly licensed sector will generate approximately $53.5 million in revenue during its first year of operation.
The initial licensing phase includes 51 approved brands. Major platforms such as BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, and bet365 have secured approvals alongside domestic provider CasinoDays. These companies will now operate within a formally regulated framework established by provincial regulators.
Revenue Distribution and Regulatory Framework
Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally stated that the primary objective of the regulatory shift focuses on enhancing player safeguards rather than increasing fiscal returns. Under the new regulations, operators must allocate 1% of gross gaming revenue to responsible gaming initiatives and 2% to Indigenous community programs. The provincial government will retain 20% of net gaming revenue, while operators will keep the remaining 80%.Current estimates indicate that roughly 70% of online gambling activity in the province currently flows through offshore and unlicensed platforms. Authorities anticipate that the introduction of a domestic regulatory system will encourage players to transition to verified services. Alberta becomes the second Canadian province to implement this model, following Ontario.