While there was hope that sports betting in Alberta would launch prior to 2025, the top regulator in the province has pushed back on the potential start date. Earlier this year, the minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, Dave Nally, informed the audience at the Canadian Gaming Summit that his department was in conversation with stakeholders for Alberta sports betting to ensure its up and running as quickly as possible, hopefully before the end of 2024. However, this month, a spokesperson from the department informed OnlineCasinos.ca that those conversations need to continue into 2025.
Reason Behind Delay
According to the president of the Canadian Gaming Association, Paul Burns, the delay will assist Alberta to get things right when it comes to online gambling regulations. The decision from Alberta to step back will give it more time to develop its iGaming model will full support from the industry. Burns also stated that his association encourages the province to get it right instead of being quick. At the G2E in October, Dave Nally held two roundtables regarding the process and explained that he aims to make legislative amendments to the Gaming Control Act in the province by next spring. He informed one of the panels that he hopes to talk about a free and open market by October 2025.
Anticipation for Alberta Sports Betting
Earlier this year, following Dave Nally's comments, online operators started sharing their expectations for the market during the earnings report season in august. Alberta will become the second province in Canada with commercial online casinos and online sports betting. In April 2022, Ontario become the first province in Canada with an open online gambling market. Nally stated that Alberta would follow many of Ontario's regulations laid out prior to its launch and any changes that regulators made after the launch. Residents within the province can enjoy online gambling on Play Alberta, overseen by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).
Hopeful Alberta Stakeholders
During June's CGS and the August earnings season, Alberta stakeholders stated that they strongly believe that the Sunshine Province could be a strong performer. Richard Schwartz, CEO at Rush Street Interactive, stated that Alberta has the highest per-capita spending when it comes to gaming in the province. Michael Moskowitz, CEO of NorthStar Gaming, stated that Alberta has the country's youngest population while impressing with the highest per-capita GDP.
Course for Alberta to Navigate New iGaming Environment
The University of Alberta is providing a new micro-credential course surrounding gaming and gambling in Canada, based on the first robust gambling study of its kind. Whether it's sports betting, casinos, or simply iGaming, there's no denying that the gambling industry is enormous. Major sports events pushed the Play Alberta app phenomenal usage that broke records, especially during the Edmonton Oiler's playoff run. When usage increases, so too does risk.
The course from U of A will aim to inform players about how much goes into the ever-growing industry. Fiona Nicoll, the political-science professor at U of A, created the course after the research she conducted at the Alberta Gaming Research Institute as a research co-ordinator. She hopes it will offer critical information for anyone who regularly deals with gaming and gambling.
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