Date of Publication: March 26, 2026, 11:36 AM.
Last Modified: March 26, 2026, 11:48 AM.
- Alberta sets July 13 as the deadline for grey market operators to transition to the regulated framework.
- Anticipation is centered around July as a potential launch month
- Recent Blask research indicates significant grey market operator presence in Canada.
Alberta’s grey market operators must submit their licensing applications and pay associated fees to Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) by July 13, marking a crucial step towards the impending regulated iGaming market launch, as indicated by industry insiders.
Deadline Imposed on Grey Market Operators
According to the province’s revised iGaming regulations, the AGLC will oversee the registration and licensing process, while the newly established Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) will manage operational oversight.
While the Alberta government has yet to disclose a specific launch date, AiGC CEO Dan Keene suggested a potential market rollout could occur in the spring or summer during a panel at ICE Barcelona in January.
In a recent advisory from AGLC, it was stipulated that all unregulated operators in the province must discontinue taking bets by July 13. They noted that extensions could be considered until October 13, 2026, but only for operators who can show a credible compliance pathway that was unachievable by the original deadline.
Late applications will not be permitted. Each operator will be required to pay a one-time application fee of $50,000 along with an annual registration fee of $150,000. Alberta’s tax rate will be set at 20%, with deductions for First Nations and responsible gaming initiatives.
No Official “Go Live” Date Yet
Entities entering Alberta’s regulated market must also participate in AGLC’s centralized Self-Exclusion Program.
Should the market launch date fall after July 13, all unregulated activities must be halted by that date.
“Not adhering to these guidelines may result in disqualification from iGaming registration in Alberta.”
Grey market operators need to ensure that all unfulfilled bets are either satisfied or canceled before ceasing unregulated activities. This includes settling all outstanding wagers, refunding player account balances, and adequately informing players about account closure procedures.
Nally to Present at Upcoming Summit
It’s noteworthy that the SBC Summit Canada—now rescheduled for May 19-21—will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, highlighting the Canadian gaming industry’s evolution.
As previously mentioned, the summit agenda will delve into Alberta’s new market. Attendees will have the chance to explore Alberta-ready solutions, evaluate vendors, and discuss market entry strategies. The event program is designed to provide operators with actionable insights into how the Alberta market is anticipated to evolve, featuring sessions dedicated to regulation, advertising, and acquisition strategies.
Revenue Loss in the Billions
On May 20 at 11:30 AM, Alberta’s Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, Dale Nally, will initiate two days of panel discussions with a keynote titled “Alberta: The new sheriff in town.”
It will be crucial to observe the government’s stance on the launch date during Nally’s address, capturing the industry’s attention.
During last year’s Canadian Gaming Summit, Troy Ross, President of TRM Public Affairs, presented data indicating Quebec led the country in gross gaming revenue lost to the grey market, totaling CA$1.97 billion, with British Columbia and Alberta each losing CA$1.3 billion, Ontario CA$757 million, and Atlantic Canada CA$600 million.
In Alberta alone, this 20% tax rate accounted for approximately CAD$260 million in lost government revenue based on Ross’ findings.
Market Dynamics in Alberta
Analysis from industry sources challenges claims by PlayAlberta, the provincial government-run iGaming platform, that it has secured 45% of the market, with actual market share hovering closer to 10%, according to a senior industry insider.
Furthermore, recent research from Blask, an AI analytics firm focused on the iGaming sector, consolidates data from both domestic and international operators, assessing key metrics and market share trends, revealing a more realistic portrayal of grey market operator impacts on Canada’s iGaming environment.
Insights from Blask’s Report
Blask estimates that Canada’s online gambling sector achieved a Competitive Earning Baseline (CEB)—a new metric integrating AI analytics measuring market position, competitive trends, and consumer engagement—of USD $9.5 billion in 2025, positioning Canada as a leading online gambling jurisdiction globally, second only to the United States and the United Kingdom. Canada recorded the highest growth rate among the top five gambling markets worldwide.
Moreover, the report brings to light the significant scale of the grey market in both Canada and the USA. In Canada, offshore operators are growing faster than domestic ones (with offshore CEB increasing by 40% year-over-year compared to 23% for domestic brands in 2025), contributing an additional $1.6 billion in volume against $0.8 billion from domestic sources. The disparity between these markets is expanding.
Performance of Ontario
So far, Ontario has been an exception, as stated in the report. Since April 2022, Ontario has had the country’s sole open and regulated iGaming market operating alongside the provincial crown corporation. Licensed operators now account for 85% of CEB in Ontario, while monopoly provinces across Canada capture merely 24% domestically, as per Blask’s findings.
In Alberta, Blask indicates that offshore operators currently command an 88% market share. Manitoba matches that figure, whereas Saskatchewan leads with 93%.