Nally Confirms “Early 2026” Launch for Highly Anticipated Alberta iGaming Market
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Alberta's long-awaited iGaming market, established through Bill 48, is slated to launch in early 2026. While the doors to this new market remain closed for now, the province’s push for a commercial online gambling system is progressing steadily. Minister of Service Dale Nally, who is responsible for the iGaming Alberta Act, shared insights during his speech at the 2025 Canadian Gaming Summit.
Nally’s address did not deliver specifics, but he confirmed that the timeline has shifted from the previously expected October 2025 target. Instead, Albertans will likely see the market go live in early 2026, aligning more closely with expectations from operators, including those that could possibly offer casino $1 deposit. “I can’t give you a precise month, but I can tell you early next year, we’ll be cutting the ribbon on iGaming in Alberta,” said Nally.
Market Development and Consultations
As Alberta prepares for its commercial iGaming launch, the government is engaging in extensive consultations. Nally emphasized the importance of hearing from both land-based casinos and First Nations stakeholders. These discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the regulations and framework of the province’s online gambling market.
“We need to hear from them on what they think and how they see themselves contributing to iGaming,” Nally reportedly stated, highlighting the need for broad input before finalizing market details. These consultations also touch on key concerns like advertising standards and tax rates, which Nally confirmed would be addressed in the fall.
Alberta’s Approach to Responsible Gambling
One of the few concrete details revealed during the address was the introduction of a centralized self-exclusion tool for Alberta’s iGaming market. Similar to Ontario’s plans, this tool will not only cover online gaming but also land-based casinos and racetracks, ensuring a comprehensive approach to responsible gambling.
While the bill passed without firm commitments on tax rates or advertising regulations, Nally assured the audience that these aspects would be addressed once consultations were complete. “We’re participating in these consultations, and then we’ll be going back to our cabinet colleagues to discuss advertising and tax rates,” he noted.
Looking to Ontario for Guidance
In many ways, Alberta’s approach to online gambling will mirror Ontario’s model. Ontario launched its open-market iGaming system in 2022, which has since served as a guide for Alberta. However, Nally emphasized that Alberta's regulatory landscape will reflect the unique needs and characteristics of the province.
“We’ve been watching Ontario closely, and they’ve done fantastic things. We know we have Albertans gambling online, and we have a responsibility to make sure they can do so safely and responsibly,” Nally stated. Alberta aims to adopt the best practices from Ontario while tailoring its own approach to fit the province’s distinctive needs.
By GamesAndCasino