Alberta’s information and privacy commissioner has expressed concerns over a newly passed law which will enable Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) to sell customer data to a private company.
After the passage of Bill 31, The Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, it could soon be legal for AGLC to sell its Play Alberta brand, as well as the personal information of customers that are registered with the operator.
Reported by CBC, the privacy watchdog noted that the sale of personal information to a private company sets a “concerning precedent” for how Alberta handles sensitive data.
Privacy of the utmost importance
Back in June 2025, Alberta introduced its Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) which outlines a complete ban on public bodies – including Crown corporations – from selling personal information for any purpose.
However, Bill 31 creates something of a loophole, giving the green light for AGLC to sell that information, providing that the cabinet is confident there are reasonable measures in place to protect it.
“This sets a concerning precedent,” Privacy Commissioner Diane McLeod said in a written statement to CBC News last week. “As far as we are aware, this would be the first instance in which personal information collected by a public body would be sold to a private sector organization under POPA.
“What are Albertans to believe if a clearly stated prohibition in POPA is nullified through another piece of legislation?”
In October 2025, Play Alberta had 434,000 registered accounts. McLeod had previously raised concerns that the operator has access to information such as demographic data, geolocation and insights into player behaviour.
However, speaking in a separate interview with CBC News, Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally said AGLC has no immediate plans to sell Play Alberta.
Should a sale eventually go ahead, Nally explained that the AGLC would notify its customers and offer the option to opt out from their information being shared, prior to the transaction taking place.
