Alberta’s preparations for a regulated online gambling market continue to take shape as the province outlines stricter player protection requirements for operators. The Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) confirmed that every operator entering the market will need to obtain RG Check accreditation, establishing responsible gambling standards as a central requirement before sites can go live.
The announcement comes as Alberta moves closer to launching commercial iGaming in the province. Officials have indicated that the market could open around late spring or early summer, following months of regulatory development and industry preparation.
Responsible Gambling Accreditation Required For Operators
The Alberta iGaming Corporation revealed that it has partnered with the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) to implement the RG Check accreditation program across the provincial market. Under the policy, every operator seeking to offer online gambling services in Alberta must secure this accreditation and maintain it throughout their operations.
The requirement forms part of Alberta’s broader strategy to ensure player safety remains a core element of the new regulated environment.
“Alberta is committed to building a safer, regulated iGaming environment where player protection comes first,” said Dan Keene, Interim AiGC CEO. “By requiring RG Check accreditation, we’re ensuring that every iGaming operator in our market has demonstrated their commitment to player safety through independent verification of their responsible gambling programs.”
RG Check was developed in Canada and has been used internationally as an independent responsible gambling accreditation program. Created more than a decade ago by the Responsible Gambling Council, the framework evaluates operators based on evidence-based criteria. These assessments cover governance structures, safeguards for players, staff training requirements, and marketing practices.
The program aims to establish measurable accountability within gambling operations. Regulators in multiple jurisdictions have adopted the accreditation as part of their responsible gambling oversight frameworks.
“This partnership with AiGC demonstrates the power of regulators and responsible gambling experts working together to protect players from day one,” said Sarah McCarthy, RGC CEO. “Alberta is building on a strong foundation established in Ontario, where RG Check has proven its value in creating safer gambling environments. This proactive approach ensures that player protection isn’t an afterthought; it’s built into the market from the ground up.”
Alberta Prepares For Launch Of Regulated Online Gambling
The RG Check requirement forms one element of Alberta’s broader effort to establish a commercial online gambling market. After initial expectations pointed to a launch in early 2025, the province slowed the timeline in late 2024 to allow more time for regulatory development.
Recent updates suggest the market could finally open around the beginning of summer.
“I would suggest that spring/summer is when you’re going to see the market open in Alberta,” Keene said during a recent call discussing the rollout timeline. “I remain very confident of that.”
Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally indicated that the province is approaching the final stages of preparation. While he did not confirm an exact launch date, he pointed to the expiry of temporary regulatory requirements in July as a signal that the market launch is approaching.
“I can’t give you the exact date, but we have some temporary regulatory requirements that we put up, and the expiration on those I believe is the second week in July,” Nally said. “So I think you can take that as a very big hint that we won’t be having this conversation in July. I can only tell you that the team is going all out to make sure that we’re live very soon.
“We have a date in mind. We’re just not ready to put out the media just yet.”
Regulatory Framework And Industry Preparation Continue
Alberta’s regulated market framework has gradually taken shape over the past year. Bill 48, known as the iGaming Alberta Act, was passed last spring, providing the legal foundation for commercial online gambling in the province.
Earlier this year, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) released its initial guidelines governing how operators and suppliers will conduct business in the market. Several operators already licensed in Ontario have indicated that they have applied for registration in Alberta as well.
Operators that receive approval from AGLC will also need to sign an operating agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation before launching their services. This arrangement mirrors the model used in Ontario, where operators register with regulators and enter agreements with the province’s conduct-and-manage agency.
“There will be an operator agreement and subsequent policies that the operators will have to agree to,” Keene explained. “Once they do, they become an agent of the AiGC to conduct and manage iGaming within the province. We suspect in the coming weeks, we’ll be able to share a first cut of that operating agreement with operators to get some feedback.”
Alongside regulatory preparation, the AiGC is building its operational structure. Recruitment is underway for several senior leadership positions, including a Chief Compliance and Operations Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Director of AML.
Officials are also working on additional initiatives tied to player protection. Plans include a centralized self-exclusion system and further responsible gambling measures that will apply across all licensed operators.
The province’s timeline could position Alberta’s new market to gain traction before major North American sports seasons begin. A launch during the summer would allow operators to establish their presence ahead of the NFL and NHL seasons, which begin in the fall.
Until then, regulatory work continues as officials finalize the policies and infrastructure required for Alberta’s online gambling market.
“One of the biggest things I’ve heard from operators, and it’s so true, is that we need to do it right and with integrity,” Keene said. “I’m confident in AiGC and AGLC, immensely confident in our industry and our partners in business. We certainly won’t shirk any of our responsibilities.”
Source:
RG Check Becomes Mandatory Requirement for All iGaming Sites in Alberta’s Regulated Market, newswire.ca, February 20, 2026.
