The Alberta legislature has officially passed Bill 16, marking a significant shift in the province’s gaming landscape. The bill, known as the Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, grants the provincial government the authority to conduct and manage gaming, a role previously exclusive to Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC).
The legislative update follows Alberta’s allocation of $1 million in its budget to review the feasibility of revamping the Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Act to open up the online gaming market. Nally’s office informed Canadian Gaming Business that the province plans to engage with First Nations, casino and racetrack operators, and other stakeholders throughout the year.
At the recent SBC Summit North America, Bruce Caughill, Managing Director of Canada for Rush Street Interactive, noted that Alberta is likely to establish a separate conduct-and-manage agency for iGaming, akin to Ontario’s iGaming Ontario. Caughill suggested that a 2025 launch is feasible, stating, “There’s a desire in the Alberta government to make this happen yesterday. There’s a long way to go still.”
Nally emphasized at ICE London in February that Alberta’s population, low corporate taxes, and high disposable incomes position it to become a “premier” hub for iGaming. However, Nally’s office has reiterated that Alberta’s iGaming strategy must “make sense for our unique gaming market and serve the interests of all Albertans.”
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