NDP Government Eyeballing Online Casino Revenue

August 19, 2023

Perhaps this is how it had to be. Unless and until someone in government took the time to examine what sort of numbers are actually at play, the issue of online gambling would most likely have just swept aside till next year. Yet, this time around it is beginning to appear that at least someone is awake and paying attention to what is really going on.

Consider, that recent estimates suggest that Albertans easily wager around CA$150 million each year at online casino sites. Yet, as is readily apparent to all is the very real fact that ALL of this online casino action is happening at offshore online casino sites. The rub here of course is the undisputed fact that none of that money flows back into the country. Worse still, none of that vast sum being thrown around in the online casino world is regulated (meaning taxed).

So what is new is that this time around, the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) has decided to be a bit more proactive. Not fast moving as in setting up online casinos next month to be sure, but still, at least it is taking some proactive steps. You see, the AGLC recently put out a request for proposals from various technology companies accustomed to providing online casino solutions. The AGLC is essentially looking for what it calls a “turn-key solution”. This turn-key solution is all about a provincially run online gambling site.

To date, the AGLC has received 25 such proposals and is in the process of reviewing them. Noting that in a rapidly changing technological world, customer (online casino player) expectations are continually changing, the AGLC acknowledges it must necessarily provide what the online casino players want and expect.

Back to the money. Speaking out about the topic, a spokesperson for the Finance Minister, Joe Ceci commented that “the government will wait to see what the Commission recommends after reading the proposals before making any decision to move ahead”. Keep in mind that Joe Ceci also oversees the AGLC. But more to the point: some analysts have suggested that Alberta could bring in an additional CA$70 million a year in revenue.

Also don’t lose sight of the fact that as of now, Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario and even Manitoba all have their own provincially owned online casino sites. In other words, Alberta is just now catching up in some sense.