While Alberta’s government insists it isn’t planning to authorize more online gambling for the money, the province will indeed receive a cash injection from it, the minister in charge of the initiative confirmed this week.
- Alberta expects to generate about $76 million in additional revenue during the first year of its competitive iGaming market, which launches July 13.
- The market will allow dozens of private online sports betting and casino operators to compete with Play Alberta, with the chief aim of bringing more existing gambling activity under provincial regulation.
- Alberta will keep 20% of regulated iGaming revenue after funding allocations for First Nations and responsible gambling programs, while the remaining revenue will go to operators.
Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally says the province expects to realize an approximately $76-million revenue bump from just the first year of its competitive iGaming market, according to the Edmonton Journal.
That money will be in addition to the ongoing revenue generated by the province’s only authorized iGaming platform at this point, Play Alberta. The government-owned online sports betting and iCasino site reported around $275 million in net sales for the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2025.
However, on July 13 of this year, Play Alberta will begin officially competing with multiple private-sector operators of online sports betting and internet casino gambling sites within the province's new regulatory framework. As of last Friday, 47 iGaming operators were registered with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), which puts them in line to launch in the province's regulated market in a few weeks.
If you can't beat 'em, regulate 'em
Alberta will become the second province in Canada to open its doors to private-sector iGaming competition, after Ontario did so in 2022 (Ontario's first year of competitive iGaming also netted the province around $87 million).
Moreover, some of those online sportsbooks will be new to the province, including big brands such as DraftKings and FanDuel.
Yet other soon-to-be official Alberta sports betting operators are already active in the province, with the government, citing survey data, saying around 70% of all iGaming currently occurs with operators other than Play Alberta. Creating a regulated and competitive market is intended to move more of that activity under local oversight and, yes, taxation.
“We can’t turn off the internet,” Nally said.
So, while increased tax revenue is not the government’s stated priority, there will be additional tax revenue. Nally’s comments this week highlight that, and the province’s regulatory structure will guarantee the government a cut of the proceeds.
Alberta iGaming market poised to net $76M for province in first year: Nallyhttps://t.co/AoYQivr2bF
— Edmonton Journal (@edmontonjournal) June 29, 2026
Alberta will hold on to 20% of the revenue generated by its regulated iGaming operators. However, that is after 2% of total gross revenue is set aside for First Nations and 1% for responsible and problem gambling initiatives. Operators will receive the remaining revenue, or around 80%.
“For the first time, operators will be paying for the (responsible gambling) treatment, and I feel strongly that this is the right thing,” Nally said.
