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Sub-national
North America

Alberta (Canada): gambling regulation and licensing

Alberta

Part of Canada

  • Online sports bettingRegulated
  • Online casinoRegulated
  • Online pokerRegulated
  • Lottery and iLotteryMonopoly
  • Esports bettingRegulated
  • Daily fantasy sportsRegulated
  • Land-based (reference)Regulated
Regulator
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission · Directory profile
Headline tax
See Taxation
Licence required
Yes
Last verified
21 Oct 2026

Summary

Alberta opened Canada's second competitive regulated online gambling market on 13 July 2026, with 22 registered sites at launch. The Criminal Code lets only a province conduct and manage a lottery scheme, so the Alberta iGaming Corporation, a Crown corporation created by the iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48, Royal Assent 15 May 2025), conducts and manages the games while private operators run sites under commercial agreements with it. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) registers operators and suppliers and enforces its Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming. Online casino, live dealer, sports and event betting, esports, fantasy contests and poker ring-fenced to Alberta are open to players aged 18 and over, and AGLC keeps its own PlayAlberta site. There is no separate gaming tax: 3% of gross gaming revenue goes to First Nations and social responsibility, and operators keep 80% of the remaining net revenue. AGLC charges C$50,000 to apply and C$150,000 a year for each site. The rules follow Ontario closely: athletes are barred from advertising except for responsible gambling, bonuses may not be advertised publicly, slots cannot autoplay, and every operator must join AGLC's central self-exclusion scheme and hold RG Check accreditation. Before launch the government estimated that about 70% of online play went to unregulated sites; PlayAlberta took C$269.9 million in net sales in 2024-25. AiGC's directory listed 51 approved sites on 15 October 2026, and AGLC's register held 42 iGaming operator registrations on 14 October 2026, the day after the last transition extensions for operators leaving the unregulated market ran out. No AGLC enforcement action against a registered iGaming operator has been published yet, and the Supreme Court of Canada heard the international play appeal, in which Alberta intervened, on 7 October 2026 and reserved judgment.

Common pitfalls

AGLC is the regulator; the Alberta iGaming Corporation is the separate Crown corporation that conducts and manages the market and holds the commercial agreements, and the two are routinely conflated. The minimum age is 18, not 19 as in Ontario. The 80/20 split is a contractual revenue share, not a tax. Registration and fees are per site, and the AiGC directory counts sites, not operators. The market data are PlayAlberta's net sales (wagers less prizes) for the year to 31 March 2025, before the competitive market opened; casino here combines PlayAlberta's casino and live dealer lines, and instant games (C$27.8 million) are not assigned to a vertical. No figures for the competitive market had been published by 23 September 2026.

Key facts

Regulator
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC)
Regulator type
Sub-national body
Headline tax
See Taxation
Licence required
Yes
Minimum age
18+
Tax base
Alberta levies no separate gaming tax on operators. The Alberta iGaming Corporation conducts and manages the games and shares revenue: 3% of total gross gaming revenue (bets placed less winnings paid less eligible deductions) is first set aside, 2% for First Nations and 1% for social responsibility, and the remaining net iGaming revenue is split 80% to the operator and 20% to the province. AiGC transfers its surplus to the General Revenue Fund.
Capital
Edmonton
Currency
CAD
Official languages
English

How to get a gambling licence in Alberta

The regulator is the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).

We record 3 licence types for Alberta.

For the iGaming Operator registration (AGLC), the application fee is C$50,000 and the annual fee is C$150,000.

Applications
Open
Time to licence
AiGC tells operators to expect three to four months to complete AGLC registration and the operating agreement.
Local presence
No local establishment is required.

Licence fees in Alberta

Licence typeApplication feeAnnual feeTerm
iGaming Operator registration (AGLC)C$50,000 one-time application fee and C$150,000 annual registration fee, per iGaming site; applicants also lodge an initial C$10,000 deposit towards background check costsC$50,000C$150,000Not yet verified
Goods or Services Supplier registration: platform provider or critical gaming systems providerC$15,000 a yearNot yet verifiedC$15,000Not yet verified
Goods or Services Supplier registration: otherC$3,000 a yearNot yet verifiedC$3,000Not yet verified

Built from the record on this page, last verified 21 Oct 2026. The Licensing and Taxation sections carry the full detail and sources.

Licensing

Licence required
Yes
Application window
Open
Local establishment required
No
Local server required
Not yet verified
Active licences
51 (as of 15 Oct 2026)
Typical time to licence
AiGC tells operators to expect three to four months to complete AGLC registration and the operating agreement.
Certification requirements
Games and gaming systems must be certified by an accredited testing facility registered with AGLC before deployment, and every operator must hold Responsible Gambling Council RG Check accreditation and integrate with AGLC centralised self-exclusion before signing with AiGC.
Barriers to entry
Entry has two steps: AGLC registration, with background checks, testing and self-exclusion integration, at C$50,000 to apply and C$150,000 a year per site, then a commercial agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation, which returns 80% of net iGaming revenue to the operator. Registrants must stop any unregulated activity in Alberta and may not deal with unregistered suppliers. AiGC also asks for three years of operating history in a regulated North American jurisdiction. Its directory listed 51 approved sites on 15 October 2026, up from 22 at launch, and AGLC's register held 42 iGaming operator registrations on 14 October 2026.

Licence types

  • iGaming Operator registration (AGLC)

    Scope
    Providing or operating an iGaming site in Alberta; a separate application and annual fee are required for each distinct site, and the operator must then sign a commercial agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation
    Application fee
    C$50,000
    Annual fee
    C$150,000
    Fee basis
    C$50,000 one-time application fee and C$150,000 annual registration fee, per iGaming site; applicants also lodge an initial C$10,000 deposit towards background check costs
    Renewal terms
    Registration must be kept valid for the whole term of the commercial agreement

  • Goods or Services Supplier registration: platform provider or critical gaming systems provider

    Scope
    Platform providers and suppliers of critical gaming systems
    Annual fee
    C$15,000
    Fee basis
    C$15,000 a year

  • Goods or Services Supplier registration: other

    Scope
    e-wallet providers, oddsmakers, independent integrity monitors, accredited testing facilities and other suppliers AGLC designates
    Annual fee
    C$3,000
    Fee basis
    C$3,000 a year

Taxation

Headline GGR tax
Not yet verified
Effective date
13 Jul 2026
Tax base
Alberta levies no separate gaming tax on operators. The Alberta iGaming Corporation conducts and manages the games and shares revenue: 3% of total gross gaming revenue (bets placed less winnings paid less eligible deductions) is first set aside, 2% for First Nations and 1% for social responsibility, and the remaining net iGaming revenue is split 80% to the operator and 20% to the province. AiGC transfers its surplus to the General Revenue Fund.

Earmarked levies

  • Provincial share of net iGaming revenue: 20% of net iGaming revenue (operators keep 80%) (Alberta iGaming Corporation, then the General Revenue Fund)
  • First Nations allocation: 2% of total iGaming gross gaming revenue (First Nations initiatives in Alberta)
  • Social responsibility allocation: 1% of total iGaming gross gaming revenue (Gambling research, prevention, education and treatment)

Compliance

Minimum age
18+
KYC timing
Before account creation
AML regime
Registrants must run an AML and terrorist financing programme under the PCMLTFA aligned with the designated reporting entity's controls, set risk-based points at which they corroborate a player's source of funds, submit suspicious transaction reports and suspend accounts of players linked to money laundering, terrorism or sanctions (Standard 5.8). AiGC oversees AML compliance in the market.
AML supervisor
AGLC (Standards) and the Alberta iGaming Corporation, alongside FINTRAC under the PCMLTFA
Deposit limits
Operators must offer system-enforced deposit and loss limits at registration and at any time, over periods including 24 hours, 7 days and one month, with the lowest limit applying; a request to relax a limit takes effect only after at least 24 hours (Standard 3.3).
Loss limits
Loss limits must be offered on the same terms as deposit limits (Standard 3.3).
Session limits
Time limits in increments of at least one hour must be offered, and players must be able to take a break of one day, one week, one month, two months or three months (Standard 3.3).
Affordability checks
No prescribed affordability test. Operators must monitor player risk profiles using behaviour, spend, time, account and customer contact indicators and intervene in proportion to the risk (GLCR s.34.8 and Standard 3.3, Attachment 3.3).
Source of funds thresholds
No prescribed threshold; operators set risk-based triggers (Standard 5.8).
Data localisation
Data centres and remote gaming servers must be approved by AGLC, including a data residency designation, cross-border transfer assessment and encryption key residency review (Standard 5.2).
KYC requirements
Before an account is created the operator must collect and validate full name and date of birth against FINTRAC-compliant government photo identification (provincial health cards are not accepted), a physical address, contact details and the information required under the PCMLTFA (Standard 4.4). Operators, their directors and employees of registered suppliers may not play.
Stake limits
Not yet verified
Mandatory player messaging
Players must affirm fitness to play before playing, receive quarterly reminders about limits and monthly reminders to review financial activity, and slots sessions must show net position in Canadian dollars (GLCR s.34.8 and Standards 3.3 and 4.10).
Reporting obligations
Registrants report to AGLC under its Notification Matrix, submit discrepancy reports within 72 hours when a prohibited person tries to enter a site, and route unusual or suspicious betting alerts through a registered Independent Integrity Monitor.
Game content restrictions
Slots: no autoplay, no simultaneous multi-game play, at least 2.5 seconds per game cycle, no turbo, quick spin or slam stop, and no win celebrations for returns at or below the stake (Standard 4.10).

Advertising

Advertising permitted
Yes
Affiliate rules
Operators must ensure that third parties paid for marketing, promotion or player referral do not also do so for sites taking bets from Alberta without AGLC registration (Standard 4.1).
Celebrity and influencer rules
Athletes are banned unless the content exclusively advocates responsible gambling. Role models, influencers, celebrities and entertainers are banned where they would likely be expected to appeal to minors.
Social media rules
Direct messages on social media count as direct marketing and need express consent for inducements; AiGC requires operators to target only people aged 18 or over on social media.
Bonus advertising rules
Bonus offers must disclose material conditions on first presentation, with the rest one click away, and may not be called free or risk-free where the player must risk their own money; players must opt in to direct bonus marketing and be able to withdraw consent easily (Standard 4.1).
Mandatory warnings
Advertising and marketing must carry a responsible gambling message; AGLC requires references to responsible gambling information including 211 Alberta, and approved operators display the Alberta iGaming Corporation logo.
Penalties for breach
AGLC may direct a registrant to amend or remove advertising (GLCR s.34.7(3)) and may fine a registrant up to $1,000,000 for failing to comply with the Act (up to $500,000 for an iGaming supplier in other cases) or suspend or cancel its registration (GLCA s.91). AGLC regulates advertising content, not volume or frequency, which it refers to the CRTC.

Restrictions

  • Only persons registered with AGLC may advertise in relation to an iGaming site, and only in line with the regulations and AGLC standards (GLCA s.49.41); breach is an offence carrying a fine of up to $500,000 (s.118).
  • Advertising must not be directed at minors, include anyone who is or appears to be a minor, or be intentionally communicated to self-excluded or high-risk people, and must be truthful (GLCR s.34.7).
  • Active or retired athletes with an agreement with an operator or supplier may appear only to advocate responsible gambling, and cartoons, role models, influencers, celebrities and entertainers likely to appeal to minors are banned (Standard 4.1).
  • No billboards or outdoor displays next to schools or other youth-oriented locations, and no media or venues aimed mainly at minors (Standard 4.1).
  • Public advertising of inducements, bonuses and credits is prohibited, including algorithm-based ads; they may appear only on the operator site or in direct marketing to players who have opted in (Standard 4.1).

Payments

Credit card ban
No
Crypto stance
Prohibited
Withdrawal timeframe rules
Withdrawals must be paid as soon as is practicable after verification, and only to an account the player legally holds (Standard 4.4).
Currency restrictions
Balances are shown in Canadian dollars; operators may not extend credit, allow a negative balance or transfer funds between player accounts, but players may use a credit card issued in their own name; cryptocurrency must not be accepted (Standards 3.2 and 4.4).

Enforcement

ISP blocking
Not yet verified
DNS blocking
Not yet verified
Payment blocking
Not yet verified
App store takedowns
Not yet verified
Administrative penalties
Warnings, conditions, fines of up to $1,000,000 where a registrant has failed to comply with the Act (otherwise up to $500,000 for an iGaming supplier), and suspension or cancellation of registration by the AGLC board, with or without a hearing (GLCA s.91)
Criminal penalties
Operating an iGaming site without registration (s.49.1) or advertising contrary to s.49.41 carries a fine of up to $500,000, up to 12 months in prison, or both (GLCA s.118)
Operator liability
No person may provide or operate an iGaming site, or supply goods or services to one, without AGLC registration and a contract with AiGC or AGLC (GLCA s.49.1). Operators that had served Alberta without registration had to apply and stop taking bets by 13 July 2026; AGLC would consider extensions case by case for no more than three months, so the transition ended on 13 October 2026, and it says it is monitoring registrants for a full exit from the unregulated market.

Market data

Figures on this record are drawn from official regulator data.

Online GGR
C$269,947,000 as of 31 Mar 2025
Reporting year
2025
Year-on-year growth
14.9%

GGR by vertical

  • Online casino: C$218,744,000 as of 31 Mar 2025
  • Online sports betting: C$7,995,000 as of 31 Mar 2025
  • Lottery and iLottery: C$15,456,000 as of 31 Mar 2025

Timeline

  1. 26 Mar 2025

    Bill 48, the iGaming Alberta Act, introduced at first reading

  2. 15 May 2025

    Bill 48 receives Royal Assent (SA 2025 c I-0.2)

  3. 4 Jun 2025

    Sections establishing the Alberta iGaming Corporation proclaimed in force

  4. 13 Jan 2026

    GLCA iGaming amendments and the iGaming Regulation take effect and operator registration opens

  5. 14 Jan 2026

    AGLC issues the Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming, including the athlete advertising ban

  6. 20 Feb 2026

    Government announces that all iGaming sites must complete mandatory RG Check accreditation with the Responsible Gambling Council

  7. 14 May 2026

    Bill 31 receives Royal Assent, adding the iGaming advertising offence to the GLCA

  8. 13 Jul 2026

    Competitive iGaming market launches with 22 registered sites

  9. 28 Aug 2026

    AGLC states that products based on sports or entertainment events, including event contracts, fall under its gaming regulation

  10. 7 Oct 2026

    Supreme Court of Canada hearing on international play, with Alberta intervening; judgment reserved

  11. 13 Oct 2026

    Outer limit of AGLC transition extensions for operators leaving the unregulated market

Outlook

The Supreme Court of Canada heard the international play appeal (file 42141) on 7 October 2026 and reserved judgment, with the Attorney General of Alberta intervening; the ruling bears on Alberta's rule that games be limited to players in the province, although the iGaming Alberta Act already lets AiGC run games with other provinces with ministerial approval. AiGC targets 70% channelisation after the first year and 75% by the end of the second, and says it will publish quarterly market performance reports. Federally, Bill S-211 on a national sports betting advertising framework is at committee in the House of Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Who regulates online gambling in Alberta?
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis registers operators and suppliers and enforces its Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming. The Alberta iGaming Corporation, a Crown corporation, conducts and manages the games and signs commercial agreements with registered operators.
When did the competitive market open?
On 13 July 2026, with 22 registered sites. The AiGC directory listed 51 approved sites on 15 October 2026, and AGLC's register held 42 iGaming operator registrations on 14 October 2026.
Is there a gaming tax on Alberta operators?
No separate gaming tax. 3% of gross gaming revenue is set aside for First Nations (2%) and social responsibility (1%), and operators keep 80% of the remaining net iGaming revenue, with 20% going to the province.
What does registration cost?
An iGaming operator pays AGLC a C$50,000 application fee and C$150,000 a year for each site. Platform and critical gaming system suppliers pay C$15,000 a year and other suppliers C$3,000.
What is the minimum age?
18. The Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act defines a minor as anyone under 18 and bars minors from iGaming sites.
Can Alberta players play poker against players in other jurisdictions?
No. Games must be limited to players physically in Alberta unless run with another province. The Supreme Court of Canada heard an appeal on international play, in which Alberta intervened, on 7 October 2026 and reserved judgment.
Is online gambling legal in Alberta?
Online casino and online sports betting are both legal for licensed operators in Alberta. The status of every vertical is at the top of this page. Last verified 21 Oct 2026.
How long does it take to get a gambling licence in Alberta?
AiGC tells operators to expect three to four months to complete AGLC registration and the operating agreement. Last verified 21 Oct 2026.

Glossary and directory

Regulator in the directory

Glossary terms for this profile

iGT coverage of Alberta (Canada)

Sources

Source tiers. Tier 1: the law, official gazette, licence register or regulator itself. Tier 2: other official sources such as ministries, parliaments, courts and statistics agencies. Tier 3: established trade press, used to find and date the primary source. Only tier 1 and tier 2 sources can support a fact on their own.

  1. Criminal Code (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46), section 207, Permitted lotteries

    Justice Laws Website, Government of Canada

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  2. iGaming Alberta Act, SA 2025 c I-0.2 (office consolidation current as of 18 June 2026)

    Alberta King's Printer

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  3. Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act, RSA 2000 c G-1 (office consolidation current as of 18 June 2026)

    Alberta King's Printer

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  4. Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation, Alta Reg 143/1996 (consolidated with amendments up to AR 135/2026, current as of 18 June 2026)

    Alberta King's Printer

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  5. Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming (handbook issued 14 January 2026, last updated 18 June 2026)

    Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 18 Jun 2026
  6. iGaming (market status, advertising rules, operator registration and self-exclusion)

    Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  7. iGaming Operator and Goods or Services Supplier Registration Fees

    Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  8. Application Guide for iGaming Registration

    Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  9. iGaming disputes and complaints

    Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  10. Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming, section 3.5.3: guidelines for promoting AGLC's Self-Exclusion Program

    Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  11. AGLC iGaming Guidance Document: Event Contracts

    Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 28 Aug 2026
  12. AGLC iGaming Guidance Document: Compliance Approach (effective 30 April 2026)

    Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 30 Apr 2026
  13. AGLC Annual Report 2024-25 (year ended 31 March 2025)

    Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  14. Alberta iGaming fact sheet (Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction)

    Government of Alberta

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 13 Jan 2026
  15. Alberta's iGaming Strategy

    Government of Alberta

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  16. Bet safely, bet with confidence (news release introducing Bill 48)

    Government of Alberta

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 26 Mar 2025
  17. Clear rules, stronger protections for iGaming (news release)

    Government of Alberta

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 14 Jan 2026
  18. Raising the bar for online gambling safety (news release on mandatory RG Check accreditation)

    Government of Alberta

    The release gives PlayAlberta net sales as $275 million, up $35 million on 2024-25; AGLC's audited annual report gives C$269.9 million for the year to 31 March 2025, up C$35.0 million. The record uses the annual report.

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 20 Feb 2026
  19. Alberta's regulated online iGaming market launches (news release)

    Government of Alberta

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 13 Jul 2026
  20. Bill Status Report, 31st Legislature, 1st Session (2023-2025): Bill 48, iGaming Alberta Act

    Legislative Assembly of Alberta

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  21. Bill Status Report, 31st Legislature, 2nd Session (2025-2026), activity to 14 May 2026: Bill 31, Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2026

    Legislative Assembly of Alberta

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  22. Alberta Registered iGaming Sites (directory)

    Alberta iGaming Corporation

    The directory moved from /players/registered-igaming-sites/, which returned 404 on 16 October 2026.

    Tier 1Accessed 16 Oct 2026
  23. Operator FAQs

    Alberta iGaming Corporation

    Tier 2Accessed 21 Oct 2026
  24. Where iGaming Revenue Goes

    Alberta iGaming Corporation

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  25. Alberta's regulated iGaming market officially launches with player protection as top priority

    Alberta iGaming Corporation

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 13 Jul 2026
  26. An Overview of Advertising in Alberta's Regulated iGaming Market

    Alberta iGaming Corporation

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 4 Aug 2026
  27. Case 42141: Atlantic Lottery Corporation, et al. v. Attorney General of Ontario (docket; Attorney General of Alberta intervening)

    Supreme Court of Canada

    Tier 1Accessed 14 Oct 2026
  28. S-211 (45-1), National Framework on Sports Betting Advertising Act

    Parliament of Canada (LEGISinfo)

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  29. AGLC: Gaming registrants (public register; 42 registrations in the class iGaming - Operator on 14 October 2026)

    Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis

    Tier 1Accessed 14 Oct 2026
  30. Alberta iGaming: Get in the game before July 13 (summary of AGLC transition guidance: 13 July deadline, extensions not beyond 13 October 2026)

    Gowling WLG

    Tier 3Accessed 14 Oct 2026Published 16 Apr 2026

Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.

This page is industry reference information and not legal advice.

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