Alberta Online Poker Is Finally Getting Regulated — And It Could Reshape the Game

What Alberta’s New Law Actually Means

Bill 48 does a few key things. First, it sets up iGaming Alberta, a government-controlled corporation tasked with managing the province’s online gambling framework. That includes licensing private operators — think PokerStars, GGPoker, BetMGM, and others — to legally offer online poker in Alberta.

Right now, the only legal option for online play in the province is PlayAlberta, which doesn’t include any peer-to-peer poker. So most players have been turning to offshore sites, the so-called grey market. It works, but it’s unregulated — and that means no guaranteed protections, no centralized oversight, and no requirement for responsible gambling tools.

This bill changes that. Once the market opens, Alberta-based players will be able to access online poker legally, with government oversight and licensed operators who must meet consumer protection standards.

And unlike Ontario, Alberta isn’t trying to go it alone.

Why Shared Liquidity Is the Real Story

The most promising detail buried in Bill 48 is this: Alberta is allowed to enter agreements with other provinces—or even other countries — when it comes to running online poker.

In plain English, that means shared liquidity is not just possible, it’s part of the plan.

Shared liquidity is what makes big tournaments and round-the-clock cash tables possible. The larger the player pool, the more games you can run, the higher the guarantees, and the better the value for players. Alberta alone has a population of about 5 million — respectable, but not enough to sustain a major poker ecosystem by itself. Ontario has over 16 million.

Put them together, and suddenly you’re looking at a network on par with U.S. compacts like Michigan–New Jersey. That’s the kind of scale that attracts operators, supports large MTT schedules, and builds momentum.

Dale Nally, Alberta’s Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, has said repeatedly that the province wants to partner with Ontario from day one. If that happens, Alberta’s market won’t just be viable — it’ll be immediately competitive.

Will Alberta Players Get Access to Global Games?

There’s still one major unknown: international liquidity. That is, will players in Alberta get to sit at the same tables as those in Europe or other parts of the world?

Right now, Ontario says no. Its current interpretation of Canadian law prohibits that kind of cross-border online poker. But a legal challenge is underway that could change everything. The Ontario Court of Appeal is expected to rule later this year on whether sites like PokerStars and GGPoker can legally offer international poker pools to Canadian residents.

If the court rules in favor of global liquidity — and Alberta adopts the same view — players in the province might find themselves in the most robust regulated poker market in North America.

For now, the Alberta–Ontario duo looks like the safe bet. But the possibility of joining regulated European networks (like those in France, Spain, or the UK) is definitely on the radar.

What Will Change for Alberta Players?

When the market opens, players in Alberta will see several key changes:

• New accounts required: You’ll need to sign up with licensed platforms, likely separate from your current grey-market accounts.
• Identity verification: Part of ensuring players are physically located in Alberta and over 18.
• Consumer protections: Deposit limits, responsible gambling tools, and centralized self-exclusion systems will be mandatory.
• Fewer but softer games: You might see fewer table options compared to the global market, but the average skill level may dip, especially at launch.
• Launch promotions: Operators entering a new regulated market tend to go big—expect freerolls, deposit bonuses, and leaderboard giveaways as they jockey for market share.

And yes, your favorite sites are probably coming. PokerStars and BetMGM have already been lobbying in the province. GGPoker has run multiple WSOP Circuit events in Calgary. Expect all the major Ontario platforms to follow suit — and maybe a few surprises.

When Will Alberta Online Poker Launch?

Here’s the current timeline:

1. May 2025: Bill 48 passed final reading; awaiting Royal Assent.
2. Mid-to-late 2025: Regulations drafted, including licensing guidelines and responsible gambling rules.
3. Late 2025: Operators begin the licensing process.
4. Early 2026: Official market launch expected.

Of course, the actual rollout could shift, especially if the province aims to launch alongside Ontario events or tie into existing tournament series. But the intent is clear: Alberta doesn’t just want to regulate poker—it wants to do it right.

So, Could Other Provinces Follow?

That’s the big question now.

Ontario proved regulation could work. Alberta is proving it can be improved. If the two provinces team up and deliver a better product than grey-market sites, it could finally push other provinces — like British Columbia or Quebec — to get moving on their own legislation.

And if international liquidity becomes a legal reality, we could see a Canadian poker model that combines strong regulation with massive reach.

Until then, Alberta’s next move is the one to watch. And if you’re a player in the province, now’s the time to start preparing — because your poker landscape is about to change.