Alberta aims to regulate online gambling market, capture lost revenue under new bill [Video]

Alberta’s government is looking to regulate private online gambling websites and apps in a move it says will capture lost revenue and protect bettors.

If passed, new legislation — Bill 48: the iGaming Alberta Act — tabled Wednesday by Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally will see the province create a new Crown corporation called Alberta iGaming Corporation to set rules for online casinos and safeguards for users.

Nally told reporters Wednesday that exactly what those rules and safeguards will be still needs to be determined, but the government’s goal isn’t to make online gambling more accessible.

Instead, he said the goal is rein in an ever-growing industry that, without regulation, will only pose more and more risk to consumers as it grows.

“The reality is that online gambling is alive and well in this province,” he said. “Let’s suppose this legislation doesn’t pass; that won’t stop online gambling from continuing to grow.”

Nally estimated the government-owned Play Alberta website …