TLDR
- Alberta will act against unlicensed online gambling operators after its grace period ends on October 13.
- Minister Dale Nally did not reveal the exact enforcement tools so operators would not get advance notice.
- Options include cease-and-desist letters and targeting payment processors.
- Google, Apple, and social media platforms could also face pressure.
- Licensed sites are expected to grow from about 35 to around 60 by the deadline.
Alberta is preparing to take action against online gambling sites that keep serving residents without a license. The move will begin after a transition deadline on October 13.
The province opened its regulated online gambling market on July 13. Operators that already took bets from Albertans before that date were given a three-month window to join the system.
Dale Nally, Alberta’s minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, said the government plans to use every means available to keep unregulated sites out of the market.
Grace Period Nears Its End
During the transition, existing operators could register, pay taxes and fees, or leave the province. Each case was handled individually.
Nally said Alberta held off on enforcement while these operators worked through registration with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, the provincial regulator.
Once the deadline passes, the province will focus on operators that remain active without a license. The government said its goal is to stop unregulated sites from operating in the new market.
Nally did not name the exact steps Alberta will take. He said the government did not want to give unlicensed operators advance notice.
He did say the province could use tools that have not been applied in this area before.
Enforcement Options on the Table
The minister said Alberta may send cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed operators. The province could also target payment processors that handle transactions tied to these sites.
Several U.S. states have used both approaches. Nally described them as options Alberta will look at after the transition ends.
The government may also turn to Google, Apple, and social media platforms. These companies play a role in the availability of gambling apps and online ads.
Nally did not say which measures would come first. He also did not give a timeline for enforcement after October 13.
The province has not said how many unlicensed operators may still be serving Albertans.
Meanwhile, the licensed market continues to grow. Nally said the number of licensed sites should rise from around 35 to about 60 by the deadline. The government reported 31 regulated sites as of September 14.
Betway, operated by Super Group, recently completed its move into the regulated market. Regulator officials said more brands are expected to launch in the coming weeks.
Some operators that were active in Alberta have told the commission they will leave rather than seek a license. Nally said the market could eventually support as many as 70 operator sites.
The October 13 deadline will decide which operators join the licensed market and which leave or face enforcement. The province said players can check whether a brand is registered with the regulator before opening an account.
