In a groundbreaking move for the Canadian province of Alberta, the government has passed a bill that could pave the way for a significant expansion of iGaming within the region. The bill, known as Bill 214, was approved by a slim margin in the Alberta Legislature, with supporters citing the potential economic benefits and increased consumer choice that could come from legalizing and regulating online gambling.
Under the terms of the bill, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will be given the authority to license and regulate online gambling operators within the province. This move marks a significant departure from the current legal landscape, where only land-based casinos are permitted to offer gambling services in Alberta.
The passage of Bill 214 comes on the heels of a growing trend towards the legalization of iGaming in Canada, with several other provinces, including Ontario and British Columbia, already moving forward with plans to expand their online gambling offerings. Supporters of the bill argue that legalizing online gambling will help to curb the activities of illegal offshore gambling sites, which currently attract millions of dollars in bets from Canadian gamblers each year.
Proponents of the bill also point to the potential economic benefits that could come from expanding the iGaming industry in Alberta. According to a report commissioned by the AGLC, legalizing online gambling could generate an estimated $150 million in annual revenue for the province, while creating hundreds of new jobs in the process.
However, not everyone is in favor of the bill. Critics argue that legalizing online gambling could lead to an increase in problem gambling and addiction, and that the potential revenue generated by the industry may not outweigh the social costs associated with increased gambling activity.
Despite these concerns, the passage of Bill 214 represents a major milestone in the evolution of Alberta’s gambling industry. With online gambling expected to become an increasingly important revenue stream for provinces across Canada in the coming years, Alberta’s decision to embrace iGaming could have far-reaching implications for the future of the industry in the province and beyond.
