If you had plans to mull over the Alberta, Canada gaming regulations any time soon you’ll probably want to put those plans on hold for the time being. The office of Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally has announced that the process of creating those regulations is taking much longer than anticipated. According to Nally’s office, those regulations may still be a year or two away.
In comments reported on by SBC Americas, press Secretary Brandon Aboultaif told iGamingBusiness.com, “As the gaming industry continues to evolve globally and in Alberta, we want to ensure a conducive business environment, while protecting the health and safety of Albertans, particularly our youth. We want to get our iGaming strategy right by ensuring fairness and transparency to everyone.”
Commenting on the situation, Canadian Gaming Association President and CEO Paul Burns seemed to not understand that the rules are at least at year away adding, “I think there was a growing concern about just how they were going to get everything done in the time required. I think the government is evaluating its timelines and making sure they can meet all of the objectives they’re setting out for themselves, and they’re giving themselves a few more months to be able to do the work.”
Nally’s office admitted that completion of the regulations in 2024 was highly unlikely and that they may not even be finished by the end of 2025. It’s expected that, when they are actually completed, Alberta’s gaming laws will look a lot like Ontario’s – though that still doesn’t explain the extended delay.