Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has published its framework for licensed operators ahead of the Canadian province’s regulated market going live this year.
After the iGaming Alberta Act was passed last May, the industry has been waiting for authorities to take the next steps and provide greater details.
While there remains no official launch date for the province, the AGLC has laid out the two-part process to secure a licence.
Prospective operators must firstly register with the AGLC, the body which will hold regulatory oversight of the market.
Operators will then be able to enter into commercial agreements with the Alberta iGaming Corporation. The model is similar to that of Ontario, which regulated in April 2022.
Operators will have to pay a C$50,000 (£26,763 at time of writing) application fee, as well as a C$150,000 annual registration fee.
Platform providers will have to pay a C$15,000 annual fee, while other suppliers, such as testing labs, payments providers and integrity bodies will pay C$3,000.
Firms will be subject to a 20% GGR tax rate, although there is a slight difference to Ontario’s model.
As per the Canadian Gaming Association, a further 3% will be taxed in Alberta, with “2% to First Nations and 1% to social responsibility initiatives”.
The advertising and marketing rules will mirror those of Ontario, with materials not to be directed at minors, while professional athletes are prohibited to be used.
Firms must also be linked to the AGLC’s centralised self-exclusion scheme at launch.
The Albertan government said the launch of the regulated market would allow it to recover revenue and tax dollars being lost to the grey arena.
Alberta estimates that around 70% of Alberta’s total igaming market is captured by grey operators.
The AGLC-run PlayAlberta is currently the only regulated operator in the province.
As per the provincial government, the platform holds between 23% and 32% of the current market.
Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, said: “For Albertans who choose not to gamble, the best option is to not start.
“With unregulated igaming widely available in our province, it is our responsibility to step in, regulate the market, and hold private providers to the highest standards to protect Albertans, particularly our youth.”
A Canadian Gaming Association statement read: “The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) commends the government of Alberta for advancing the regulation of online gaming and implementing robust player protection measures.
“The newly established regulations closely mirror those set by AGCO in Ontario, thereby facilitating a smooth transition for operators entering this market.”
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Canadian province follows Ontario blueprint, with operator licence application costs set at C$50,000 alongside an annual fee of C$150,000
The post Alberta lays out regulatory framework ahead of market launch first appeared on EGR Intel.