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.
