Alberta to regulate private online gaming sites

It’s hard to watch sports on TV without seeing them. Online gambling ads with a tiny “Ontario only” disclaimer at the bottom.

But that may soon change as the government paves the way for private, regulated betting sites in Alberta.

“Right now, without a regulated market, we are losing out on revenue being generated by unregulated operators. In fact, it’s going straight out of Alberta and often out of the country,” said Dale Nally, Red Tape Reducation & Service Alberta Minister.

That’s because the government estimates about half of online bets placed in Alberta are with so-called “grey sites” that are regulated elsewhere and want to be legit in Alberta.

The government’s Play Alberta site is currently the only regulated gaming site in the province. It profited $235 million for Albertans last year.

Ontario’s private system, meanwhile, raked in $2.2 billion for provincial coffers. So, how much is Alberta missing out on?

“So the reality is, we’re not going to be able to put a number on it, because we don’t know how big it is, and we’re not going to know that until we actually go live,” explained Nally.

Private sites are on track to be regulated and open to Albertans later this year or in early 2026, the minister says.

But first, Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, must pass in the legislature.

Then, the government plans to start a new arms-length crown corporation to manage the market.

So, how do Albertans feel about these changes? Well, most of the people CityNews spoke to Wednesday say they’re either not interested in online gaming or they’ve had a bad experience and they’re not going back.

“I had an ex one time that lost like $5,000 from online betting, so I think I learned my lesson through that,” said one Albertan CityNews spoke to.

Another said, “It’s an addiction and it’ll just get worse. The more you can gamble, the worse it gets.” Before adding, “No, I’ve tried my luck. I’ve burned my hands. Never, ever,” when asked if they’d consider trying again.

Others believe more government oversight will help people play responsibly.

“I think if it’s regulated, it should be pretty good. It keeps it honest and a lot of people from, hopefully, losing a ton of money,” said an Albertan.

The minister repeatedly said the changes are not about encouraging more betting.

“We know that no form of gambling is truly safe. But we can help make it safer by making sure it comes with key social responsibility tools,” said Nally.

The minister promised more information on those tools in the coming months but said one will be a self-imposed exclusion option for people who decide to take a break or stop using regulated services forever.