Alberta Set to Regulate Online Poker and Gambling by 2026

Alberta plans to open its regulated online gambling and poker market by 2026. Shared liquidity with Ontario is likely, with key steps already underway.

Admin - 2025. March 21.

Alberta is steadily moving toward launching a regulated online gambling and poker market, following in the footsteps of Ontario. While the full rollout is expected in 2026, key legislative and regulatory steps are already in progress.

Alberta Follows Ontario’s Lead

Ontario liberalized its online gambling market in 2022 and quickly became a benchmark for success, generating over CAD $2 billion in revenue and licensing dozens of operators. Alberta appears ready to adopt a similar model, aiming to become Canada’s second province with a regulated iGaming framework.

Legal Foundation: Bill 16 and the Road to Regulation

In 2024, Alberta passed Bill 16, laying the legal groundwork for provincial regulation of online gambling. The government began a legislative review and initiated consultations with stakeholders, including First Nations groups. According to Paul Burns, President of the Canadian Gaming Association, Alberta has already outlined its roadmap, and implementation is underway.

Learning from Ontario’s Success

Alberta has shown interest in replicating Ontario’s regulatory approach. This includes adopting best practices in operator licensing, player protection, and responsible gaming. Minister Dale Nally has emphasized that Alberta wants a well-regulated, competitive market with broad stakeholder support.

Shared Liquidity: A Key for Online Poker

One major focus is shared liquidity in online poker—a crucial factor for smaller markets like Alberta. Minister Nally has signaled plans to align Alberta’s poker liquidity with Ontario’s, allowing for a larger player pool. However, Ontario is still awaiting legal clarification on whether international liquidity sharing complies with Canadian federal law. A ruling is expected in 2025. If favorable, it could open the door for both provinces to join global poker networks.

Expected Timeline: Early 2026 Launch

Although slower than some had hoped, Alberta’s steady progress indicates that the first licensed platforms could go live by early 2026. As regulatory developments continue through 2025, Alberta is positioning itself to become a major player in Canada’s online gambling and poker market.

Stay tuned as Alberta takes its next steps toward launching a fully regulated iGaming environment.

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