The Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) announced a partnership with the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) that will make RG Check accreditation a mandatory requirement for all iGaming sites entering Alberta's regulated market. The Canadian province is targeting a 2026 market launch.
Key Takeaways
- Alberta’s regulated market is making player safety a top priority.
- FanDuel, DraftKings, theScore Bet among current RG Check accredited sites.
- RGC CEO: player protection built into Alberta market from ground up.
The collaboration between the AiGC and RGC was announced Friday. RG Check is an independent responsible gambling accreditation program.
Dan Keene, interim AiGC CEO, highlighted how Alberta is committed to building a safer, regulated iGaming environment where player protection is a priority.
"By requiring RG Check accreditation, we're ensuring that every iGaming operator in our market has demonstrated their commitment to player safety through independent verification of their responsible gambling programs," Keene said.
Besides iGaming, Alberta sports betting and online poker platforms will operate within the Western Canadian province.
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What makes RG Check the gold standard
RG Check, a tool developed by the RGC, evaluates sites against rigorous, evidence-based standards, covering governance, player safeguards, staff training, and marketing practices. It’s considered the gold standard for responsible gambling and it’s available for land-based and iGaming sites. FanDuel, DraftKings, theScore Bet, BetMGM, and BetRivers are among the current iGaming accredited sites.
Once the Alberta market goes live, the RGC and AiGC collaboration will cover several areas, including
- Operators must maintain their accreditation in good standing while operating in Alberta.
- RGC will conduct assessments based on internationally recognized responsible gambling standards.
- AiGC will work closely with RGC to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
RGC CEO Sarah McCarthy noted that the partnership with AiGC demonstrates the power of regulators and responsible gaming experts working together to protect players from day one.
"Alberta is building on a strong foundation established in Ontario, where RG Check has proven its value in creating safer gambling environments,” McCarthy said. “This proactive approach ensures that player protection isn't an afterthought; it's built into the market from the ground up."
How Alberta responsible gambling accreditation will work
Besides providing the framework for Alberta RG player protection, the partnership will be more than checking the compliance checkbox. The Alberta process will be streamlined for operators who currently hold RG accreditation in another jurisdiction, including Ontario.
A distinct Alberta accreditation will still be required, but existing accreditations will be recognized to simplify the process and reduce costs. Operators will benefit from an efficient onboarding process.
