Alberta could be following the Ontario model – soon

Multiple reports from the Canadian Gaming Summit point towards imminent regulation in the province.

Politician and Alberta Minister of Service Dale Nally spoke at the Canadian Gaming Summit (CGS) on Thursday June 20, disclosing the province’s plans for movement towards a regulated gaming market.  

According to Nally, the province is looking to base its market off the Ontarian model, which has gone from strength to strength following its official regulation just over two years ago. He also stated that while there may be some alterations to its provincial cousin’s model, Alberta’s market will be ‘open and free.’  

Currently, there is only one regulated gaming operator active in the province. Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) is the owner and operator of PlayAlberta, which introduced BtoBet to the Canadian market last summer.

Nally, however, clearly stated that the AGLC would not be involved in the regulation of any operators looking to enter the province – to avoid any conflict of interest that may arise from data and information sharing between potential competitors.  

Last month, Alberta passed a bill that allows licensed third-party operators to offer gaming-related products and services within the province. Although no timeframe for regulation was detailed by Nally as part of his talk at the CGS, it would seem the ball is beginning to roll.  

Nally also detailed that the First Nations would also be involved within the market in some capacity.  

Following the roadmap set by the Ontarian market could spell success for Alberta, as it was revealed earlier this week that the iGaming market contributed CA$2.7bn (US$1.97bn) to Ontario’s GDP in its second full year of regulation.  

Will Underwood

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