Albertans can now legally access a regulated online gambling market after the province launched its new iGaming system at midnight Monday. The new model allows private operators to offer online sports betting, casino games and poker under provincial oversight. Until now, Albertans could either use the province’s PlayAlberta platform or gamble through offshore websites operating outside Alberta’s regulatory framework. The province says the goal is to bring more online gambling into a regulated environment with consumer protections, responsible gambling measures, and age-verification requirements. Financial implications Research firm H2 Gambling Capital estimates total consumer spending on online casinos and sports betting in Alberta could reach $2.8 billion over the first two fiscal years of the regulated market. “It’s worth billions of dollars, and it’s hard not to be cynical and think that the reason why the government is doing it is because they have billions of dollars in deficit and this would help plug that hole,” said Concordia University economist Moshe Lander. Officials estimate about 70 per cent of online gambling by Albertans currently takes place through the gray or black market. By creating a regulated market, the province hopes to keep more gambling activity — and the revenue it generates — in Alberta. “These operators are all offshore. They’re all over the world. And so they’re not contributing in any way. They’re not paying any taxes,” Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally said ahead of the launch. The province estimates the market will generate about $76 million in revenue in its first year, with revenue expected to rise in the future. Even with the financial upside, Lander says the regulated market is about more than government revenue. “So it’s more than just a tax grab for the government. It’s a way to make sure that there are safeguards, to make sure that it’s being done safely. I don’t know that you can really put a value on that. If people are going to gamble offshore, you know that’s much more dangerous,” he said. Problem gambling concerns The launch also raises questions about the impact on problem gambling. Nally said the regulated market includes safeguards such as spending, betting and time limits, restrictions on advertising to minors and vulnerable Albertans and limits on the use of athletes in gambling advertisements outside responsible gambling campaigns. “Gambling will never be safe. But there are ways to make it a little safer,” Nally said. While the province says new responsible gambling tools will help protect players, some mental health experts caution that expanding access to online gambling could increase participation and the risk of gambling-related harms. “The advertising piece is actually one of the bigger concerns because it’s so prevalent and becomes very enabling,” said Paige Abbott, a registered psychologist and owner of Sana Psychological. “So anyone who is really getting that message that this is okay, everyone’s doing it and now we can do it safely, it definitely can increase some of that risk of engagement.” Abbott said the increased visibility of online gambling could also make it more difficult for people trying to stop. “For people who are trying to make some changes with their behaviour, it makes it that much harder because there are reminders, there’s exposure and there are temptations everywhere,” she said. To address those concerns, the province has introduced a self-exclusion program that allows people to voluntarily ban themselves from gambling. “What that means is anybody struggling with problematic gambling behaviours can hit a button and opt out of online gambling sites, land-based casinos and racing entertainment centres,” Nally said. The province says revenue generated through the regulated market will also help fund free treatment programs for problem gambling. Nally and Alberta iGaming Corporation CEO Dan Keene are expected to provide additional details about the market launch at a news conference Monday morning. With files from CTV News Calgary’s Moses Woldu
