Alberta Could Launch Legal iGaming in Early 2026
Legal iGaming in Alberta will have to wait a little longer. According to a Press Secretary for the Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction of Alberta, Dale Nally, iGaming isn't likely to become legal in Canada's oil country until "early 2026".
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What is the delay in legalizing iGaming in Alberta?
Since the iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48) was passed back on May 15, 2025, Alberta residents and operators have been waiting for an official iGaming launch date. After the bill's passing, a launch date of late 2025 was bandied. But now that 2025 is nearing its end, the Government has had to push that date back.
Speaking to the Canadian Gaming Business, Press Secretary Kevin Lee said, "We anticipate regulations could be finalized soon and look forward to sharing more details about Alberta iGaming Corporation in early 2026."
Getting that regulatory framework together to launch legal iGaming in such a short time was always going to be difficult. And according to Lee, that work is still ongoing. The Government is still meeting with members of the iGaming industry to discuss the regulatory framework, player safety measures, and the registration process. The Government also has to decide on a tax rate for iGaming operators.
iGaming Advertising Standards
The Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiC), which will be responsible for regulating the iGaming industry, must also decide on an advertising standard. The provincial corporation could adopt Ontario's standards.
Ontario doesn't allow athletes, influencers, or celebrities to promote gambling. Promotional offers or offers that are "free" or "risk-free" are also banned. But the AiC also has to consider the current political climate.
Senators have already passed Bill S-211 on first reading. S-211 would create a national framework for sports betting. While S-211 does not put forward any suggestions as to what that framework should look like, more than 40 Senators have written to Prime Minister Mark Carney asking him to ban all sports betting advertising. Giving the public and regulators an idea of where the Government wants this framework to go.
Not A Political Priority
While Minister Dale Nally is working on this file, it may not be his or the United Conservative Party's (UCP) top priority at the moment.
Up to 14 members of the ruling UCP are facing a recall vote. That's a third of Premier Danielle Smith's party. Minister Nally is one of the 14 UCP MLAs targeted by a recall vote.
The UCP won the 2023 Alberta election by 151,000 votes but still lost 11 seats. Nally won the Morinville-St. Albert riding by a tighter margin than expected with 1,744 votes. A recall could make Nally and even the UCP vulnerable. The UCP holds 49 of 87 seats, losing five seats to the NDP could flip power in Alberta.
However, for a recall vote to even take place, the recall petition must have signatures from at least 60% of the riding's voter base from the 2023 election. It's a steep threshold that might not be met. Members of the Alberta public are taking UCP members to recall for "failing to advocate for their communities."
