Segev: Ramping Up for Alberta’s Market Launch
- 02 May 2025
- Gambling News
Ron Segev, the founder of Segev LLP and a leading lawyer in Canada’s igaming sector, has established a satellite office in Alberta as preparations intensify for the launch of a regulated igaming market similar to Ontario's.
Alberta Approaches Market Introduction
Alberta is steering towards a market debut, expected in early 2026.
The Calgary office becomes part of Segev LLP's locations in Toronto and Vancouver. Segev informed Casino.org that they have engaged a “qualified” attorney with experience in gaming for Calgary. Segev's company played a key role during Ontario's market introduction in 2022 and anticipates a similarly strong launch in Alberta.
"In the meantime, we’ve been assisting some B-to-B companies, some vendors, with engaging with the AGLC [Albert Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis], just getting ready for the opening of the market, at least with preliminary introductions,” he said. “And where appropriate, assisting some of those clients with commencing a registration process of some kind. People are really excited about the market.”
Suggested Modifications to Bill 48 Rejected
The most recent update on Bill 48: the iGaming Alberta Act, Alberta’s new online gaming law: Following its approval during the second reading in the provincial legislative assembly, the bill was presented this week to a Committee of all Members of the Legislative Assembly to gather, discuss, and deliberate on the bill's clauses.
An NDP opposition member suggested changes to the legislation that would integrate additional responsible gambling and player protection provisions into the law. Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction from the ruling United Conservative Party, responded by stating that programs regarding RG should be managed by a provincial regulator rather than being treated as a legal matter.
A New Crown Corporation Would Be Established
The NDP MLA's suggested changes were rejected.
Bill 48 aims to establish the Alberta iGaming Corporation to manage regulated online gambling activities in the province, focusing on consumer safety and responsible gaming. The legislation would appoint AGLC as the regulator, while it continues to supervise PlayAlberta, which is presently the province’s sole legal and regulated site for sports wagering and online casinos.
The company will be managed by a board consisting of up to seven directors selected by Minister Nally.
“[The legislation] is finally moving along,” Segev said. “Some of the best-case scenarios that we’ve been getting from our intel is a Q1 or Q2 next year [market launch]. That sounds do-able.”
Canadian Gaming: Launching the Market in 2026
Segev also mentioned he publicly stated last year that he anticipated a market launch in 2025.
"You’d think that with this whole tariff issue and the declining Canadian dollar against the US dollar and the Euro, perhaps it will reinvigorate the government in Alberta to speed this along and then realize on the expected tax revenue that they’re going to see from this new regime, instead of letting all that money go offshore,” he said.
“They are leaving a lot of money off the table. We just saw an extraordinary bump in government revenue in Ontario [CAD $82.7 billion in wagers and CAD $3.2 billion in gross gaming revenue for Fiscal Year 2024/25, 31% and 32% increases, respectively, over 2023-24].
Higher Player Values in Alberta
“It’s not going to be the same exact numbers just because of the populations at hand, but in terms of the percentage growth, I think we can expect the same, possibly more. Data is showing us that Albertan players tend to have higher player values … more of them [bet] at higher amounts.”
The tax rate in the Ontario market stands at 20%.
“This could be a billion-dollar industry at the end of Year 1 if it’s managed properly, and it’s a truly open market with a regime that will allow the operators to advertise freely, although responsibly,” Segev said. “I suspect [the regulatory regime] will be very similar to Ontario.”
An Effective iGaming Framework Enhances Player Protection
Regarding the NDP MLA’s suggested changes to the bill aimed at strengthening the language on responsible gambling, discussed in committee this week, Segev expressed satisfaction at its rejection.
“If your understanding is that respecting RG issues runs contrary to economic success, and in that way, the two issues are in conflict, then you don’t understand the gaming industry,” he said. “If you want to have a sustainable gaming industry, you need to protect your player base. If you don’t protect your player base, it’s going to be a real problem.
Leave RG in the Hands of Industry People
"What does that mean? Does that mean that you can’t trust the industry or the regulator to do a good job of it, and it needs to be baked into the legislation in a granular way? No, it means the opposite,” he said.
This signifies that the regulator, the Crown corporation managing igaming, and the private commercial entities that have partnered with the crown corporation to promote igaming in a province all recognize that RG is an essential element for the industry's long-term success, he stated.
“Some will do a better job at it than others,” Segev added. “That’s where we need to be careful with it. And that’s why standards are required. You need to remain flexible around because a lot of RG solutions now are technically driven.
Next Up for Alberta Bill: Third Reading
"As the game types, game varieties, delivery mechanisms, game mechanics evolve, the RG solutions have to catch up. Different players, segments get exposed at different kinds of risks in different areas, and RG standards need to adapt to that. You should put that in the hands of the regulators that can move more nimbly, not in the hands of the lawmakers, regulators who have been to gaming shows, not in the hands of lawmakers who have never been to a gaming show.”
The bill’s next step is the third reading in the entire legislature, where it will be voted upon. Given the Conservatives have a majority in that area, it’s probable to be approved, and subsequently, it will become law.
