Discussion about the proposed Alberta iGaming framework began in the provincial Assembly in Edmonton on Wednesday. While proponents point to the benefits of regulating online gaming, other lawmakers are concerned about the lack of detail in the proposal.

Minister Dale Nally’s Bill 48 would create the Alberta iGaming Corporation to oversee a private-sector market. Under the initial version of the proposed iGaming Alberta Act, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) would serve as the regulator as well as operate its own Play Alberta platform, currently the only online casino and sportsbook under the Alberta government’s oversight.

The Alberta iGaming Corporation would be the conduct-and-manage entity, similar to the role iGaming Ontario (iGO) serves in Ontario, currently Canada’s only regulated commercial iGaming market.

Bill 48 was introduced for second reading on April 9 after having its first reading on March 26.

‘If you don’t gamble today, please don’t start tomorrow’

Nally said in his introduction that the goal of regulated iGaming is not to encourage more people to gamble but to bring online gambling activity that already exists under government oversight.

“More than half of players in the province exclusively place bets on unregulated sites,” he said. “It’s quite disconcerting to know that there are Albertans gambling on sites where they face a higher risk of developing gambling-related harms … A significant number of Albertans are potentially being preyed upon by gray market sites or illicit sites. This legislation proposes to change that.

“I want to make clear that this bill isn’t about opening a new revenue source for the government. It isn’t a cash grab, and we’re not looking to create new gamblers in Alberta. If you don’t gamble today, please don’t start tomorrow. That is not the purpose of this. We know gambling will never be safe, but there are ways to make it safer and more responsible. That’s what we aim to do.”

Clearing the way for good actors

Two other members of Nally’s party, the incumbent United Conservative Party (UCP), also pointed to the potential benefits.

UCP MP Justin Wright said the bill will provide Albertans a broad choice of regulated, socially responsible online gaming websites while raising funds for schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructure, as well as at-risk and problem gambling supports.

UCP MLA Nolan Dyck noted that as online gambling rises in popularity, it is the government’s responsibility to provide a “thoughtful market that is not predatory or lacking safeguards.”

“Many unregulated iGaming companies already operate in Alberta, regardless of whether we regulate them or not, and those illicit iGaming companies are not paying taxes here or putting money back into our economy,” he added. “… We want to be able to regulate the good operators and allow them to play in a space that is legal, while also making sure that they follow our social responsibility markers there.”

Specifics will follow; NDP says that’s not good enough

The UCP speakers noted that Bill 48 also lays out some specific plans, such as the implementation of a province-wide centralized self-exclusion system for gamblers to be shared by all licensed online gaming platforms.

Wright said other key regulations and policies related to revenue, consumer protection and social responsibilities will be put forward later this year following further engagement with indigenous groups and industry and community leaders.

However, New Democratic Party (NDP) MPs said that is not good enough, asserting that Bill 48 omits specific information such as how revenues will be apportioned, how operator compliance will be enforced and what the approach will be towards gambling advertisement.

“While the intentions seem noble, the execution leaves much to be desired,” argued MP Gurinder Brar, calling the lack of detail a “glaring omission” that leaves lawmakers and the gambling industry “in the dark about how the Alberta iGaming Corporation will operate.”

“The bill merely enables the creation of standards and regulations after the legislation is enacted,” he added. “This approach is just like buying a car without knowing if it has brakes or a steering wheel; it’s bound to lead to a crash.”

Fellow NDP MP Peggy Wright noted that while she appreciates the need for online gambling to be regulated, “to hear regulations are coming in due time just isn’t good enough in this instance.”

“Given past history, I’m not sure that we can trust that an appropriate level of consultation before regulations are released happens …” she told the Assembly. “It’s a blank cheque and that can indeed lead to some measure of risk, if not danger.”

Debate was adjourned on Wednesday and will be picked up again at a later date.