Alberta’s regulated online gambling market opens on July 13, and the launch roster is already looking crowded. Separate tallies point to 56 casinos that have paid fees, more than 55 approved platforms and 49 registered operators from around 30 gaming companies.
GamingToday reported that 56 online casinos had paid the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s application and annual licensing fees. The Alberta iGaming Corporation is due to publish the official operator list on launch day.
Covers put the number of approved platforms at more than 55 and said there were 49 registered operators. Its roundup also described Play Alberta, the government-run platform, as the incumbent that will face competition from private operators.
Sportsline’s latest look at an AGLC release counted 31 online casino brands and 35 software providers applying for licences. It said Alberta will become the second province after Ontario to allow commercial online casinos, and that the regulator still has dozens of applications to work through on both the casino and software sides.
Alberta.ca says the province is building a framework in which private iGaming providers must put player protection first. Operators in the registration process may advertise and sign up prospective customers, but they cannot add funds to accounts or take bets.
The province estimates unregulated operators capture about 70% of Alberta’s iGaming market. It says the new system will allocate 80% of net iGaming revenue to operators and retain 20% for government purposes, after 3% of gross gaming revenue is set aside for First Nations and social responsibility programs and another 1% for player safety and social accountability. The regulator still has dozens of applications to sift through before launch.
