Short answer
Entering the regulated Alberta market requires operator registration with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) and a commercial agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC). AGLC registers operators and in-scope suppliers, reviews eligibility and supervises compliance; AiGC manages the commercial relationship and signs the agreements needed to take part in the market.
The main financial obligations for an operator are:
- CAD 50,000 – one-off, non-refundable application fee per site;
- CAD 150,000 a year – registration fee per site;
- 3% of GGR – initial set-aside (2% First Nations initiatives, 1% social responsibility programs);
- 20% of the remaining net revenue – the provincial share under the AiGC agreement; the operator keeps 80%.
Separately, AGLC may require an advance toward the cost of background investigations; the amount and true-up terms are confirmed per applicant. Suppliers in AGLC-regulated categories have their own registration obligations. Operators must meet geolocation, technical certification, AML, player-protection and centralized self-exclusion requirements.
The transition for operators previously active outside the regulated market ended on 13 October 2026, with 29 operators and 50 brands approved at the deadline; operators without full approval must stop serving Albertans. See Alberta's iGaming transition in 2026.
Important: AGLC registration does not by itself allow you to start operating. You also need the AiGC agreement and completion of the applicable technical and operational conditions.
New Brunswick is now reviewing whether to follow Alberta and Ontario: see New Brunswick online gambling regulation in 2026.
Alberta at a glance
- Regulator
- Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC): registration, due diligence, standards, self-exclusion
- Contractual partner for operating in the regulated market
- Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC), created by the iGaming Alberta Act to conduct and manage iGaming
- Primary law
- iGaming Alberta Act (Bill 48, passed May 2025) and the amended Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation (Alta Reg 2/2026)
- Market timeline
- Registration opened 13 January 2026; market launched 13 July 2026; the transition for operators previously active outside the regulated market ended on 13 October 2026, with 29 operators and 50 brands approved at the deadline
- Market size
- In early October 2026 about 40 sites were listed as registered, per the data cited; 31 AiGC agreements had been signed by late September 2026. The number of platforms actually live may differ. H2 Gambling Capital estimates the market could generate about CAD 1.7bn GGR in year two
- Products
- Online casino, sports betting, peer-to-peer poker limited to eligible Alberta players, and fantasy sports contests; political and election betting prohibited; iBingo not approved
- Minimum age
- 18 (Ontario: 19)
- PlayAlberta
- The AGLC-run site continues and now competes with private operators; it remains the only online seller of WCLC lottery products
Is Alberta the right license for you?
A good fit when
- You are already registered in Ontario and want to reuse and adapt the compliance systems you already run: AGLC may take prior registrations into account
- Your financial model works after the provincial revenue-allocation mechanism is applied
- You can meet the security and certification requirements for your category (SOC 2 reporting and/or ISO 27001 certification)
- You are a platform, game or critical-systems supplier to the operators entering Alberta
Look elsewhere when
- You want low fixed costs: CAD 150,000 per site is due every year, plus CAD 50,000 to apply
- Your acquisition relies on mass-market advertising of bonuses and inducements or athlete endorsements, both restricted
- You want one authorization for all of Canada: Alberta covers Alberta only (see Canada overview)
AGLC registrations and the AiGC commercial agreement
| License | Who needs it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AGLC iGaming operator registration | B2C operators running a site for Alberta players | Regulatory registration: confirms operator eligibility and applicable conditions. CAD 50,000 application + CAD 150,000 a year, per distinct site |
| AGLC supplier registration — platform and critical gaming systems | Platform providers, game developers and suppliers, game-system suppliers | Regulatory registration for suppliers in AGLC-regulated categories. CAD 15,000 a year; no application fee |
| AGLC supplier registration — other registrable categories | E-wallet providers, oddsmakers, betting-integrity monitors, accredited testing facilities | Regulatory registration. CAD 3,000 a year; no application fee |
| AiGC commercial agreement | Registered operators | Operating contract (not a license category): sets commercial terms, revenue allocation, reporting, AML coordination and complaints handling |
| Completion of the go-live process | Registered operators with a signed AiGC agreement | Operational step: confirms the conditions for accepting players are met (AiGC go-live notice) |
Registration fees, revenue allocation and taxes
| Charge | Amount | When | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator application fee | CAD 50,000 | One-off, per site, on filing | AGLC fee schedule |
| Operator annual registration | CAD 150,000 | Per site, per year, on filing | AGLC fee schedule |
| Advance toward background-investigation costs | CAD 10,000 (initial) | If requested by AGLC; may be topped up if actual costs exceed it | AGLC; trued up under the applicable procedure — confirm |
| Supplier — platform and critical systems | CAD 15,000 | Per year | AGLC fee schedule |
| Supplier — other categories | CAD 3,000 | Per year | AGLC fee schedule |
| First Nations and social responsibility | 3% of GGR | Ongoing, allocated first | 2% First Nations initiatives, 1% social responsibility programs |
| Provincial share | 20% of relevant net revenue | Ongoing, under the AiGC agreement | AiGC commercial agreement; the operator keeps 80% |
| Estimated initial funding need, one site | CAD 210,000 | Application fee + annual fee + initial investigation advance |
Application and registration fees are paid under the AGLC fee schedule and are subject to the non-refund conditions AGLC sets. Separately, the applicant may be asked for an advance toward background-investigation costs, which is trued up under the applicable procedure. Each distinct site needs its own application and annual fee. Add the independent control audit, SOC 2 / ISO 27001 security reporting, penetration testing, game certification by an AGLC-registered testing facility, and legal costs.
Tax
- Gaming taxes
- No separate provincial gaming duty is shown beyond the revenue-allocation mechanism described. The operator remains subject to corporate income tax and other applicable taxes.
- Revenue share mechanics
- 3% of GGR first (2% First Nations, 1% social responsibility), then 80% operator / 20% Alberta on the remainder. Example on CAD 100 GGR: CAD 3.00 set-aside; CAD 97.00 left; provincial share 20% × 97 = CAD 19.40; total CAD 22.40. In a simplified calculation this equals about 22.4% of GGR; the actual figure depends on the revenue definitions and adjustments in the AiGC agreement.
- Corporate income tax
- For companies taxed under the general regime, the combined reference rate is 23% (15% federal + 8% Alberta). The effective tax depends on tax residence, the nature of income and available deductions.
- GGR definition
- Bets placed less winnings paid less eligible deductions, as defined in the AiGC agreement
Legal framework
| Instrument | What it does for you |
|---|---|
| Criminal Code (Canada), s.207(1)(a) | Province conducts and manages lottery schemes, the basis for the AiGC model |
| iGaming Alberta Act, SA 2025, c. I-0.2 (Bill 48) | Creates the Alberta iGaming Corporation and the competitive market |
| Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act, RSA 2000, c. G-1 | AGLC powers; amended by Bill 48 to add iGaming registration |
| Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation, as amended by Alta Reg 2/2026 | iGaming supplier registration, self-exclusion, advertising and inducement rules (new Schedule) |
| AGLC Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming (SRIG; January 2026, updated 18 June 2026) | Operating, social-responsibility, AML, technical and security standards |
| Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act | FINTRAC reporting obligations, where applicable |
Eligibility, infrastructure and compliance conditions
- AGLC registration of the operating entity, with due diligence on owners, directors, officers and connected persons
- Executed commercial agreement with AiGC and AiGC go-live notice before taking deposits or bets
- No published requirement for an Alberta-incorporated entity; data stored or servers hosted outside Canada need AGLC review and approval
- Geolocation and VPN/proxy detection so only players physically in Alberta can play
- Integration with AGLC's centralized Self-Exclusion Program
- Security and certification requirements for the category, including SOC 2 reporting and/or ISO 27001 certification on the terms and timelines in the SRIG (18 June 2026 version); annual penetration testing
- RG Check accreditation (Responsible Gambling Council), kept in good standing
Entity types, capital, local agents, tax and timing: Canada company formation.
How to obtain AGLC registration and start operating in Alberta
- Weeks 1–4
Define the business model
We review the proposed activities, the number of sites to register and the suppliers and subcontractors involved, then set the registration categories needed and estimate the financial obligations.
- Weeks 1–4
Eligibility review
We check the corporate structure, beneficial owners, management, source of funds and prior experience in regulated activity.
- Weeks 2–8
Prepare the AGLC file
Corporate and financial documents, personal disclosures, a gap analysis of existing controls against the SRIG, and technical security and responsible-gambling documentation.
- Week 8
File the application and pay the applicable fees
The application goes to AGLC with supporting documents and proof of the application and annual fees. Depending on the procedure, an advance toward background-investigation costs may also be requested. Processing is first-come, first-served.
- Weeks 8–20
Applicant review
AGLC reviews the applicant's integrity, competence, financial position and compliance capacity according to its risk profile. Applicants without relevant experience or prior registrations may have to file the Control Activity Matrix and independent audit before registration.
- Parallel
Conclude the AiGC agreement
After the relevant registration stages, the operator finalizes the commercial agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation, setting financial, reporting and operating terms.
- Pre-launch
Technical integration and operational readiness
Game and system certification, security checks, geolocation and integration with the centralized self-exclusion program.
- Ongoing
Start operating and stay compliant
Operations can start once AGLC and AiGC requirements are met and the go-live formalities are complete (AiGC go-live notice). Operators registered elsewhere file the Control Activity Matrix within three months of go-live. Overall timing depends on the corporate complexity, number of sites, AGLC checks and the AiGC agreement; indicative timelines are not a guaranteed start date.
Document checklist
Corporate
- Constitutional documents and group structure chart to the ultimate beneficial owners
- Registrations held in other jurisdictions (for example AGCO)
- Audited financial statements and source of funds
People
- Personal disclosure forms for directors, officers, key persons and significant owners
- Identity documents and criminal-record checks
- Background-check consents
Compliance
- Gap analysis of existing controls against the SRIG, with a remediation plan where needed
- Control Activity Matrix with independent audit results
- AML/TF procedures tailored to the applicable provincial and federal requirements
- Responsible-gambling, advertising and complaints policies
Technology
- Gaming site diagram and hosting/data-residency description
- Technology compliance letter, including geolocation and VPN/proxy controls
- Certificates from an AGLC-registered testing facility
- SOC 2 reporting and/or ISO 27001 certification for the category, and penetration-test results
AiGC agreement
- Documents AiGC requests to conclude the agreement
- Financial reporting and revenue settlement information
Ongoing obligations after go-live
Annual fee
CAD 150,000 per site, every year.
Revenue allocation
Periodic revenue settlement and financial reporting to AiGC under the agreement; AiGC publishes market revenue reports.
Advertising
Advertising must respect the restrictions on promoting bonuses and inducements, the protection of minors and self-excluded or vulnerable people, and the use of athletes or other public figures in commercial communications.
Player protection
Operators must offer responsible-gambling tools including deposit and time limits, session-duration notifications, breaks and self-exclusion; no credit to players.
Security
Annual penetration testing and technology compliance letters; SOC 2 reporting and/or ISO 27001 certification on the SRIG timelines.
Notifications and AML
Event notifications to AGLC under the Notification Matrix; FINTRAC reporting where applicable and transaction monitoring.
Alberta compared with Ontario and other authorization regimes
| Alberta | Ontario | Kahnawake | Malta | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual license fees | CAD 150,000 per site | CAD 100,000 per site | US$20,000 | €25,000 + contribution (min €15,000) |
| Tax on GGR | 3% of GGR + 20% of net revenue to the province (≈ 22.4% of GGR) | ≈ 20% of AGGR to iGO (contractual share, not a tax) | 0% stated KGC levy on GGR | 15% / 10% on players in Malta |
| Time to license | 4–6 months | 4–9 months | 2–3 months | 4–6 months |
| Local substance | AGLC registration + AiGC agreement | AGCO registration + iGO agreement | MIT hosting | MT company, key functions, system audit |
| Status | Provincial (Canada) | Provincial (Canada) | Separate authorization regime (Kahnawake Gaming Commission) | EU regulator |
All jurisdictions side by side, with filters: compare gambling license jurisdictions. How we run an application: gambling consulting services.
Written and reviewed by Alex Szilaghi
Founder of Szilaghi Consulting, licensing gambling businesses since 2004 across EU, UK, Canadian and offshore jurisdictions, based in Romania and working before ONJN on Class 1 and Class 2 files. We act as Romanian representative and local director for foreign ONJN licensees and file their monthly regulatory reports, so these guides reflect how the rules are applied in practice, not only how they read.
Last legal review . Current to the AGLC framework as of the review date. General information, not legal advice.
Alberta gambling license — FAQs
How much does an Alberta iGaming license cost?
AGLC operator registration costs a CAD 50,000 one-off application fee plus CAD 150,000 per site per year, and AGLC may also ask for an advance toward background-investigation costs (initially reported at CAD 10,000), trued up under the applicable procedure. Under the AiGC agreement, 3% of GGR goes first to First Nations and social responsibility, then the province receives 20% of the remaining net revenue — about 22.4% of GGR in a simplified calculation; the actual figure depends on the revenue definitions and adjustments in the AiGC agreement.
Is the Alberta market open?
Yes. The regulated market launched on 13 July 2026. The three-month transition for operators previously active outside the regulated market ended on 13 October 2026, when 29 operators and 50 brands had been approved; by 15 October reporting counted 30 operators and 51 sites. Operators without full approval must stop serving Albertans, and new applicants can still apply. See Alberta's iGaming transition in 2026.
Do I need both AGLC and the Alberta iGaming Corporation?
Yes. AGLC registration is necessary but not sufficient to start operating. The operator must also sign the AiGC commercial agreement, complete the technical and compliance requirements and go through the go-live authorization process.
Do I need a track record in a regulated market?
No fixed track-record requirement has been published. AGLC applies a risk-based review: operators registered in Ontario or other acceptable jurisdictions get a more streamlined process, while new entrants are treated as elevated risk and must file their Control Activity Matrix and independent audit before registration.
Do suppliers need to register?
Suppliers in AGLC-regulated categories must obtain the matching registration. The annual fee is CAD 15,000 for platform and critical-systems suppliers and CAD 3,000 for the other registrable categories (for example e-wallet providers, oddsmakers, betting-integrity monitors and testing facilities). Affiliates and most payment providers do not currently need to register.
Can I reuse my Ontario setup?
Largely. Alberta uses a regulatory model similar to Ontario's, AGLC may consider an AGCO registration, and AGCO game certifications were accepted for the first 90 days. Differences include the 18+ age, the higher annual fee, the 3% GGR set-aside and integration with AGLC's own self-exclusion program. See our Ontario guide.
Does a Kahnawake license cover Alberta?
No. Serving Alberta players requires AGLC registration and an AiGC agreement. Kahnawake is a separate authorization regime run by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission; see the Kahnawake guide.
Sources
Figures were checked against the regulator and legislation listed below on 13 October 2026. Fees, tax rates and restricted-market lists change; confirm with us before you commit capital.
- AGLC — iGaming registration guide, fee schedule and SRIG standards (18 June 2026 version)
- Government of Alberta — iGaming strategy (fact sheet)
- Criminal Code s.207 — Justice Laws
- Canadian Gaming Business — Alberta iGaming FAQ (3 July 2026)
- Casino.org — Stake approval and 13 October transition deadline (8 October 2026)
Find out if Alberta fits before you pay a fee
We assess eligibility, structure the company, prepare the documentation and coordinate the AGLC and AiGC processes, and we estimate total first-year costs and funding needs.
Book a Alberta license assessment