Albertans place nearly $3 billion in online bets as addiction concerns grow
Albertans wagered $2.89 billion on the province’s regulated online gambling market between July 13 and September 30, 2026, according to the first report from the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC), published on October 23. Player losses over the same period reached $122.1 million in non-adjusted gross gaming revenue.
The figures returned to public attention on November 3, when CTV News Calgary reported that addiction concerns are growing as active player accounts approach 389,000. A University of Lethbridge researcher told the outlet he expects the number of problem gamblers in Alberta to increase, while the province pointed to its centralized self-exclusion system.
What the first AiGC report shows
The AiGC report covers the opening stretch of Alberta’s competitive market, which launched on July 13 under the iGaming Alberta Act. Active player accounts rose from 226,959 in the first month to 388,585 by the end of the reported period, according to Covers.
Activity grew month over month as more operators came online. In August, 20 operators took $1.06 billion in wagers and produced $43.3 million in revenue; by September, 24 operators were active, handle reached $1.28 billion and revenue climbed 31 per cent to $56.6 million.
Casino play dominated.
Online casino games accounted for 75.6 per cent of September revenue, or $42.8 million, as reported by Mundo Video. Sports and event betting represented 19.5 per cent, or $11.1 million, and live casino contributed 4.9 per cent, or $2.8 million. The grace period for unregistered sites to move into the regulated framework ended on October 13, which leaves operators outside it exposed to legal action.
Researchers and province respond on harm
Robert Williams, a gambling researcher at the University of Lethbridge, told CTV News that the expansion is mostly bringing existing gamblers into the regulated market. He nonetheless expects the number of problem gamblers in Alberta to rise, although he said the increase may be proportionally smaller than Ontario’s because Albertans were already exposed to national gambling advertising before the launch.
“Online gambling is inherently more problematic, and as more people get into that, we’ll see more problems associated with it,” Williams said, adding that the final impact on addiction in the province remains uncertain.
AiGC chief executive Dan Keene said roughly 70 to 75 per cent of the wagering volume in the first 80 days came from websites that were already operating in Alberta before July. He said the corporation is concerned about gambling-related harm and will keep working with prevention and treatment organizations.
In an email to CTV News, a spokesperson for Alberta’s justice minister wrote that “gambling addiction is a major concern for us,” and that the government’s focus is on supporting mental wellness and recovery.
Players on regulated sites can use the province’s centralized self-exclusion system, which blocks a person from every participating operator at once.
