The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) regulator has confirmed that companies that wish to enter the upcoming legalized retail sports betting market can now place their bids. In a press release, the corporation stated that operators could apply for a pair of licenses through the provincial government by 31st January 2022. The successful applicants should expect to go live by the end of 2022.
In June 2021, the approval of federal regulation that allows provincial licensing of operators took place. It aimed to offer the aficionados a chance for single-game play. As such, the AGLC has a task to bring legal online and retail sports betting on a wider range of sports such as Basketball, Football, Ice Hockey, and Baseball in Alberta.
The Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act is a new measure that has invalidates the previous regulations that only allowed parlay bets in Canada with a minimum of three distinct results.
The First Step
The Chief Executive Officer for the AGLC, Kandice Machado, stated that the process would begin by selecting the first retail sports betting operator on receiving a license. This will be an exciting step for sports enthusiasts in Alberta.
Machado declared that the organization aims at supplying mobile-friendly online services to make the process easier. There has been ongoing communication with the Alberta Sports Coalition, which represents Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Stampeders, Calgary Flames, and Edmonton Elks, the local sports franchises.
Machado said, “Continuing this work is an important step in offering consumers convenience and choice in their gambling entertainment options.”
Promising projections
AGLC confirmed that it would continue monitoring the lottery markets in the province while collecting feedback from the stakeholders in the sports betting industry in Alberta. This will expand opportunities for vendors in the future. As the market continues to grow, AGLC will increase the number of prospective retail licensees.
