Alberta is on the brink of a significant shift in its gambling landscape, as Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, moves closer to passage. The bill, introduced by the United Conservative Party (UCP) government, is reportedly undergoing a committee review and is sure to pass due to the UCP’s majority in the Legislative Assembly.
Committee votes to reject amendments by opposition
On 29 April (Tuesday), the Committee of the Whole voted 38-16 to reject a series of amendments put forward by the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), clearing a major hurdle for the legislation. As Covers reporter Geoff Zochonde noted, the vote against the amendments effectively clears the way for the bill’s final approval in committee, setting up its return to the full assembly for a third and final reading.
As the bill currently undergoes review, the NDP raised concerns about the bill’s approach to player safety and harm reduction. Opposition MLA Gurinder Brar, one of the most vocal critics in the earlier session, had proposed a set of amendments that would require the province to set up a dedicated online responsible gambling program based on harm reduction principles. He had warned that rushing the bill without clear regulations is like “buying a car without knowing if it has brakes.” Brar stated, “This approach is just like buying a car without knowing if it has brakes or a steering wheel. It’s bound to lead to a crash.”
Projected launch in 2026
The new bill is projected to launch in early 2026. It would make Alberta the second Canadian province to move beyond the single-operator model run by a provincial lottery corporation. If passed, Bill 48 would authorise the creation of an open iGaming market in Alberta, similar to the model implemented in Ontario in April 2022. Ontario’s market, now entering its third year, has quickly emerged as one of the top gambling jurisdictions in North America.
The legislation will establish a competitive and regulated market through the private operation of online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker rooms under government supervision. Currently, the setup is limited to Play Alberta, but many Albertans are turning to offshore, grey-market websites. This bill aims to bring that activity into a legal, transparent, and safer space. The significant shift in this bill is allowing private companies to enter the market. These operators would have to obtain licences and agree to follow Alberta’s regulations. This means that companies like DraftKings, FanDuel, or BetMGM could potentially set up shop in Alberta.
