
AGLC says casino changes have helped cut regulatory red tape
Agency said it removed nearly 2,500 policies that impacted casinos
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) said it reduced regulatory red tape by 51% between 2019 and 2024, making it less expensive for both present and potential gaming companies to operate in the province.
In a statement, AGLC said it has removed nearly 2,500 policies that impacted casinos, including relaxing rules on table games. Those measures, it estimates, provided $2.4 million in cost savings for licensees. It also expanded online raffle opportunities to include virtual sales outside of venues, which has resulted in an estimated $42 million in additional revenue for charities.
Overall, the government agency said that its red tape reduction work yielded more than $89 million in cost savings and revenue generation across the gaming, liquor and cannabis industries.
“This achievement highlights Alberta’s position as a national leader in reducing red tape and fostering a business-friendly environment,” said Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally. “By cutting unnecessary regulatory burdens, we’re empowering industries to grow, innovate, and contribute to Alberta’s economy. This is just one example of our government’s commitment to supporting businesses, creating jobs, and ensuring Alberta remains a competitive and thriving place to do business.”
Canadian Gaming Business reached out to AGLC for more information and specifics about the gaming cost savings but had not heard back at the time of writing.
Alberta iGaming a matter of when in 2025, not if?
CGB also asked Nally’s office if they can provide an update on the minister’s online gaming review and when Alberta’s eagerly awaited iGaming market may launch. The minister’s office said that it can’t offer an update at this time but promised more updates on Alberta’s iGaming strategy later this year.
Nally suggested at the Global Gaming Expo last fall that he wanted to have the market up and running in time for the 2025 event in October. PointsBet CEO Sam Swanell said on an investor call just last week that believes “the expectation is still clearly NFL season this year, so you talk about September or around that timeline.”
Nally’s office pumped the brakes on its plans to open a commercial regulated online gambling market in order to due their due diligence and consult further with stakeholders. The minister has reiterated that the province will pursue an open-market model similar to Ontario’s.
For the meantime, AGLC continues as the operator of the only licensed online gambling site in the province, Play Alberta. The platform already had more than 313,000 registered player accounts by the time it launched its first ever mobile app in October.
Data provided to CGB by H2 Gambling Capital suggests that Play Alberta held down around 28% of all online sports betting and online casino gaming in the province in 2024. AGLC itself has reported that it holds 45% of the market.