As Alberta moves forward with its proposed iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48), many eyes are on Ontario, which launched its regulated iGaming market in April 2022. Here’s how the two provinces compare:
📍 Regulatory Framework
Ontario:
- Regulated by iGaming Ontario (iGO) under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
- Operates a competitive open-license model allowing private operators to offer online gambling.
- Over 50 licensed operators and 84 active gaming sites as of early 2025.
- Revenue is taxed and reinvested in public programs.
Alberta (Proposed):
- Bill 48 would create iGaming Alberta, a Crown corporation that operates separately from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).
- Proposes a private operator model similar to Ontario, but implementation is still pending.
- Currently, PlayAlberta.ca is the only legal option, run directly by AGLC.
- The model aims to reclaim revenue lost to unregulated offshore platforms.
📈 Market Performance
Ontario (January 2025):
- Gross Gaming Revenue (NAGGR): $327,900 (up 646% from April 2022)
- Active player accounts: 1,105
- Average revenue per player: $297
- Total cash wagers: $7.8 million (up 70% from Jan 2023)
Alberta:
- No public revenue breakdown yet under the proposed model.
- Expected to license private operators, allowing entry of platforms like theScore Bet and FanDuel.
- Goal: capture untaxed revenue from Alberta’s estimated $1.4 billion in annual unregulated online gaming activity.
🎯 Policy Goals & Public Interest
Ontario:
- Prioritizes competition, player choice, and consumer protection.
- Strong focus on self-exclusion tools, responsible gaming, and transparency.
- Proven model now being watched closely across Canada.
Alberta:
- Aims to modernize its system and protect players from unregulated platforms.
- Plans to integrate centralized self-exclusion, age verification, and social responsibility tools.
- Potential to generate new provincial revenues while boosting local job creation and tech infrastructure.
🔍 Bottom Line
Ontario is already delivering strong, measurable results with its open market, positioning itself as a national leader in online gaming regulation. Alberta’s model—while still in development—draws inspiration from Ontario but may evolve with its own regulatory nuances through iGaming Alberta.
If executed effectively, Alberta could be the next province to successfully channel online gaming into a secure, competitive, and profitable framework.
