The office of Alberta’s Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally has confirmed that a proposed regulated iGaming market will launch later than originally anticipated.
In June of this year, Nally announced at SBC’s Canadian Gaming Summit that Alberta would look to launch a regulated market much in the same mold as Ontario. An iGaming strategy engagement portal was launched through the government’s website. This is to facilitate feedback from both the public and stakeholders in the gaming industry including local indigenous tribes.
It was then announced earlier this week that Nally will travel to Las Vegas to take part in the panel: “Canada’s Gaming Market – Understanding the Changing iGaming Landscape.” at The Global Gaming Expo (G2E) Conference. He will also host a roundtable with industry representatives following the panel.
However, Nally’s Press Secretary Brandon Aboultaif confirmed to Canadian Gaming Business that more time is needed to take stakeholders contributions into consideration before any specific launch date can be announced.
“As the gaming industry continues to evolve globally and in Alberta, we want to ensure a conducive business environment, while protecting the health and safety of Albertans, particularly our youth,” said Aboultaif. “We want to get our iGaming strategy right by ensuring fairness and transparency to everyone.
Industry stakeholders have told us that we need to continue our conversations so they can provide more input on the model. We are doing just that. Further engagements will also help to identify opportunities to align the strategy with our red tape reduction priorities.
While we aim to put the strategy forward in 2025, we will continue to provide updates as this work unfolds.”
Prior to the comments, an early 2025 launch was anticipated with some hope that this could be brought forward to late 2024.
Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) President and CEO Paul Burns told Canadian Gaming Business that the mooted launch date was unrealistic.
“I think there was a growing concern about just how they were going to get everything done in the time required,” Burns said. “I think the government is evaluating its timelines and making sure they can meet all of the objectives they’re setting out for themselves, and they’re giving themselves a few more months to be able to do the work.”
While the CGA has recommended that Alberta follow the Ontario model, it has also pushed for more involvement with land-based gaming operators. This resulted in extensive consultations with Alberta’s First Nations, and while those discussions are now complete, the creation of the legal framework for a market launch has yet to begin.
However Burns reiterated that the delay has not put the plans to launch in jeopardy:
“The timeline has paused but I don’t believe there’s any less commitment to getting this done. I just think there’s a very good commitment to getting it right. There’s a lot of work to do. They recognize that, they understand that, and they’re taking more time to get it right. That’s the encouraging part.”
Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.
Alberta’s regulated iGaming market has been highly anticipated by both players and operators alike, but unfortunately, there has been a delay in its launch. The province had initially planned to launch its regulated iGaming market in early 2021, but due to various factors, the launch has been pushed back.
One of the main reasons for the delay is the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has had a significant impact on the gaming industry as a whole, with many land-based casinos forced to close their doors or operate at reduced capacity. This has led to a surge in online gambling activity, as players look for alternative ways to enjoy their favorite games. As a result, regulators have had to shift their focus to ensuring the safety and security of online gambling platforms, which has delayed the launch of Alberta’s regulated iGaming market.
Another factor contributing to the delay is the complexity of regulating online gambling in a province like Alberta. The government must ensure that all operators are licensed and adhere to strict regulations to protect players and prevent problem gambling. This process can be time-consuming and requires thorough vetting of all potential operators, which has added to the delay in launching the regulated iGaming market.
Despite the delay, there is still a lot of excitement surrounding the launch of Alberta’s regulated iGaming market. Players are eager to have access to a safe and secure online gambling environment, while operators are looking forward to expanding their offerings in the province. It is expected that once the market is launched, it will bring in significant revenue for the province and create new opportunities for both players and operators.
In conclusion, while the delay in launching Alberta’s regulated iGaming market is disappointing, it is important to prioritize the safety and security of players. Once the market is up and running, it is expected to be a major success and provide a valuable source of revenue for the province. Players and operators alike can look forward to a thriving online gambling market in Alberta in the near future.
