Alberta iGaming market records CA$122.1m in first three months

Alberta's regulated iGaming market generated CA$122.1m in non-adjusted gross gaming revenue in its first three months of operation, from its 13 July launch to 30 September, according to the Alberta iGaming Corporation. Monthly non-adjusted gross gaming revenue rose from CA$22.2m in July to CA$43.3m in August and CA$56.6m in September.

Across the three months, betting handle came to CA$2.89bn. Fifteen operators were licensed when the market went live in July, and that figure climbed to 24 by 30 September. By 24 October, the provincial regulator had granted 42 operator licences, and 52 sites were live. Both counts grew markedly in the run-up to 13 October, the date set for unregulated operators to join the regulated market.

In September, casino gaming made up 75.6% of non-adjusted gross gaming revenue. Sports betting came next at 19.5%, while live casino contributed 4.9%. Active player accounts numbered 388,585 that month, and each one generated average revenue of CA$146.

Dan Keene, chief executive of the AiGC, said "Regulation matters" and described a market in which approved operators face demanding accountability standards and the resulting revenue remains in the province for programmes and services residents depend on. According to Keene, early figures suggest Albertans appreciate the supervision and accountability a regulated market delivers. He added that the corporation intends to keep warning residents about illegal offshore sites and to guide them toward regulated platforms, where they have rights and recourse.

In Alberta and Ontario alike, the split gives operators 80% of net iGaming revenue, leaving 20% for the provinces. Alberta first sets aside 3% of gross gaming revenue for First Nations and responsible gambling initiatives, and the split is applied afterwards.