Alberta is on the cusp of its full-scale iGaming launch, with online casinos, sports betting and poker, from some of the world's biggest brands, all set to become available when the regulated industry goes live on July 13.
The province follows in the footsteps of Ontario, which itself welcomed regulated iGaming in 2022 following grey-market dominance.
As Alberta leans on data provided by Ontario's successful manoeuvre away from the unlicensed, unprofitable and often offshore-led market, in favour of a stable modernised regulated industry, BonusFinder explores key differences and crucial similarities between Canada's only open online gambling markets.
Similarity: Alberta joins Ontario in targeting grey market
The language being used by leaders in the lead-up to Alberta's iGaming live-date is strikingly similar to arguments presented by officials in Ontario before its regulated industry launched in April 2022 - and for good reason. An estimated 70% of all Albertan online gambling takes place through unregulated channels.
Like Canada's most populous province, Alberta is seeking to diminish its longstanding grey market by introducing a legal pathway for white-hat operators. For many years, legislators have somewhat tolerated unlicensed iGaming activity by known entities.
This appeasement-style stance bore no fruit for Ontario pre-2022 and, until Alberta's regulated launch on July 13, it continues to offer little in the way of meaningful returns for the province.
Under the regulated setup, the newly-established Alberta iGaming Corporation is targeting a full-scale reversal of grey-market dominance by capturing 70% of all wagering activity.
Speaking to Covers, Dan Keene, CEO of the province's industry management group, confirmed that while there is no 'secret sauce' behind his team's 70% estimate, strong onboarding is expected:
"I think we're going to have a very strong market launch. And I think we're going to have a big adoption by Albertans," said Keene.
Similarity: Dual regulatory and management oversight
Not only does Alberta's motivation resemble Ontario's keenness to bring down the grey market, but its legal setup also echoes that seen in the province.
This is due to Alberta introducing two distinct regulatory organisations tasked with providing domestic oversight:
- Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC): To operate as the market regulator.
- Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC): A newly-formed group focused on market and commercial management.
In Ontario, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) serves as its AGLC equivalent, while iGaming Ontario represents the market management body.
Any iGaming group interested in entering Alberta must gain certification from both market overseers - again mirroring Ontario.
Similarity: Sports betting and online casino to lead market
Players in Alberta will be able to bet on the final stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, upcoming NHL season and other major domestic leagues from July 13.
However, although sports betting generates noteworthy attention, online casino gaming is expected to attract a significant portion of revenue.
Data pulled from iGaming Ontario's 2024-25 fiscal year revenue report revealed that the province recorded $2.9B in total gaming revenue by the end of the reporting period, with Chair of the iGaming Ontario Board Heidi Reinhart stating that online casino products stood as the "most popular iGaming choice for players."
Sports betting and peer-to-peer poker trailed behind, respectively.
Given the difference in population - Alberta houses around five million people compared to an estimated 15 million in Ontario - it is reasonable to forecast less substantial gains during Alberta's inaugural year.
Still, under the new framework, Minister Dale Nally outlined that government expectations for the legal market sit at around $76M within the next year.
Difference: Alberta enters with clear reference point as a second-mover
The standout difference between iGaming launches in Alberta and Ontario is this: situational context.
Unlike Ontario, Alberta enters the regulated Canadian scene as a second-mover. Many unknowns have been sufficiently answered by Ontario's multi-year foray into the online gambling industry - including concerns over framework stability, revenue, player retention and market competitiveness.
This critical separating factor is further pronounced by similarities in sheer operator numbers. By the end of its first year, Ontario welcomed a similar number of operators (46) to the total expected at launch in Alberta (49).
As such, Ontario acts as an ideal case study for those within Alberta's soon-to-launch industry.
Difference: Revenue expectations and structure
Ontario reported $230M in net revenue during its first 12 months overseeing regulated iGaming, with an estimated $145M allocated to the provincial government and the remaining share distributed to the federal government, as well as supplementary agencies.
Alberta's reduced population makes achieving such heights impossible on a purely monetary scale, but relative success is realistic. In fact, if Alberta were to secure Minister Dale Nally's $76M projection, its revenue per resident ($15.03) would actually greatly outperform Ontario's ($9.03) first-year takings by roughly 59%.
Revenue disparities continue to deepen when evaluating precise funds distribution. Ontario leverages a clean 80/20 split, with 80% of all iGaming revenue retained by operators and 20% immediately directed to iGaming Ontario before being shared among other bodies.
Meanwhile, Alberta first allocates 2% of total gross gaming revenue (GGR) to the First Nations group, followed by an additional 1% distribution in the favour of social responsibilities.
Of the remaining 97%, 80% is kept by operators and 20% is transferred to the government – meaning operators do not receive a clean 80% portion of all provincial revenue.
Difference: Minimum age limit and responsible gambling
Once the open, regulated iGaming industry launches on July 13, anyone aged 18+ in Alberta will be allowed to access online sportsbooks, online casinos and participate in peer-to-peer online poker rooms operated by several companies.
Around 2,000 miles eastward, Ontario permits residents to engage with iGaming products from the age of 19. However, a key stipulation means that citizens may use lottery games from 18-years-old.
Both provinces are therefore more closely aligned with minimum age requirements in the UK than those implemented in the US.
Prepare for launch by comparing Alberta online casinos
With Alberta set to open its virtual doors to iGaming on July 13, BonusFinder has assembled a clear-cut list of the best online casinos expected to become available at launch.
To explore the province's range of exclusive bonuses specifically tailored to Albertans, check out this comprehensive Alberta online casino comparison page - complete with information on payment options, popular games to play and other crucial details to know before the big day.
