Part 3 – Know the Rules Before You Play: Alberta’s iGaming Legal Framework and Registration Process

The Statutory Framework

Alberta’s iGaming market operates through three interrelated pieces of legislation, each serving a distinct role.

The Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act[1] is the starting point for all gaming activity in Alberta and the primary source of regulatory authority for iGaming. At a high level, it establishes the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (“AGLC”) as the principal regulator of all gaming matters in Alberta and confers on the AGLG broad powers over registration, standards, compliance, inspections, and enforcement. This authority flows from provisions that empower the AGLC to register persons, impose and amend conditions of registration, conduct investigations and audits, and suspend or cancel registrations where integrity, suitability, or public interest concerns arise.

The iGaming Alberta Act[2], which came into force last year, builds on this framework by establishing the Alberta iGaming Corporation (“AiGC”) and laying the groundwork for the province’s competitive iGaming market. The AiGC is the Crown corporation responsible for conducting and managing online gaming on behalf of the province and does so through commercial arrangements with private operators. The iGaming Alberta Act also amends the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act to include iGaming as a regulated activity while preserving the AGLC’s oversight role. As such, it separates regulatory control from commercial operation, assigning regulatory authority to the AGLC and commercial responsibility to the AiGC.

The Alberta Legislature Building, where the legislative groundwork for the province’s competitive iGaming market was established.

The Role of the Regulations

The Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation[3] gives operational effect to both statutes. While much of the Regulation predates iGaming, recent amendments introduce an iGaming specific division (Division 4) that applies core regulatory concepts to online gaming and translates the statutory framework into enforceable operational requirements.

At a high level, the Regulation implements the statutory prohibition on unregistered gaming activity by requiring that any person who operates an iGaming site, or provides goods or services in support of an iGaming site, be registered with the AGLC. It establishes distinct classes of registration for iGaming operators and iGaming suppliers, reflecting the different roles those participants play in the market.

The Regulation and related Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming[4] also address advertising and inducement controls, player protection and responsible gambling obligations, record keeping, and the use of approved gaming systems. Importantly, the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act authorizes AGLC to issue standards and board policies that become conditions of registration. Those standards may be amended over time, meaning registrants are subject to evolving compliance obligations rather than a static rule set fixed at the time of registration.

Key Registration Requirements

Participation in Alberta’s iGaming market requires direct engagement with both the AGLC and, for operators, the AiGC, each of which exercises distinct authority within the overall regulatory and commercial framework.

The starting point for all operators and suppliers is registration with AGLC, which involves a three-pronged process focused on due diligence, compliance readiness, and technical integration. Applicants are encouraged to begin by engaging with AGLC’s due diligence team to confirm eligibility, class of registration, applicable fees, and required supporting documentation. Following this initial engagement, applicants work with AGLC’s iGaming compliance team to address operational readiness, including compliance documentation, notification requirements, and go live expectations. A core component of the process is technical integration of an operator’s API with AGLC’s centralized Self Exclusion Program, which is mandatory for all registered iGaming platforms.

Once registration with the AGLC is complete, the path forward depends on whether the applicant is an operator or a supplier. Operators move to the commercial phase of market entry, which requires executing a commercial operating agreement with the AiGC. Suppliers, by contrast, are not required to enter into a commercial operating agreement and are only required to obtain AGLC registration;. however, depending on the nature of the services provided, they may also be subject to separate technical certification or systems approval requirements.

Embracing the spirit of Wild Rose Country while preparing for the regulatory rules of Alberta’s new iGaming market.

What Comes Next

Alberta’s iGaming framework reflects a deliberate balance between providing broad market access and eliminating the grey market and regulatory oversight. While the commercial opportunity is significant, successful entry will depend on understanding how Alberta’s statutes, regulations, and registration processes interact in practice.

In Part 4 of this series, we turn from legal structure to execution, the practical steps operators and suppliers can take Alberta’s iGaming market, including key commercial considerations and common issues to address ahead of launch.

Ready to Enter Alberta’s iGaming Market?

Segev LLP’s Gaming & Betting team has been at the forefront of Canadian gaming and betting law for more than a decade. We bring a deep, practical understanding of the regulatory frameworks governing Canada’s gaming markets, grounded in hands-on experience with market entry, compliance, advocacy before regulators, and day-to-day operations, including the evolving landscape of Alberta online gambling compliance laws.

Registration is now underway, and applications are being accepted by the AGLC. Early engagement can help operators and suppliers position themselves effectively ahead of the market’s expected launch later in 2026, especially as AGLC iGaming operator requirements continue to take shape.

If you have any questions regarding Alberta market entry considerations, our Gaming & Betting team would be glad to hear from you. Contact our iGaming focused lawyers at Segev LLP by calling 1-800-604-1312 or by visiting https://segevllp.com/contact-us/.