Alberta Looks For Tech Partner For Online Gambling Launch

The Canadian province of Alberta is on track to roll out legalized online gambling and is currently conducting a thorough search for a partner that would provide necessary technological solutions.

The official regulator, Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), has started the request for proposals to be sent to their address regarding providers of online platform systems. This request for proposals is open for all tech suppliers, interested in doing business in Alberta, that have the capacity to supply the region’s population and future patrons interested in online gambling.

First Aim: Regulation

The key incentive for seeking a certified platform provider is that the AGLC’s wishes for the region’s population to gamble via operators that are regulated.

So far, the lack of regulation has only made punters gamble with off-shore companies.

Also…

Interested operators and tech suppliers will need to come up with a programme making sure that consumers can opt to gamble via mobile devices as well as desktop computers.

The deadline for bid submissions is February 28th.

Second Aim: Taxation

AGLC’s senior communications officer, Chara Goodings, hopes that some viable solutions will come to the surface before then – she is concerned about the amount of money spent by Alberta citizens with off-shore gambling companies.

That amount is estimated to be around $268 million and that, by regulating iGaming, the Canadian province could take a percentage of this handle by taxing the casinos and then spending the tax money on social programs in need.

Operators and partners whose offers end up winning will have the obligation of protecting the most vulnerable customers.

A Place of Diversity

Canada is extremely varied in of gambling services it offers its citizens…

…for instance, coastal provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Labrador and Prince Edward Island favor online lottery, whereas regions such as Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia do have online gambling going on.

Local laws are not always in line with federal law, although that hardly differs from how this is usually organized in other countries. With Alberta yet seeking to properly regulate online gambling, the region of Ontario remains curiously unique.

Namely:

Some sites that generally allow Canadian players to gamble refuse to accept players from Ontario! This is chiefly due to the state’s funneling all gaming traffic through their casino, poker and lotto site. This largely puts operators off Ontario as they choose not to do business there.

In September last year, world-renowned casino games provider NetEnt made its titles available to players in British Columbia.

Commenting on the occasion, Therese Hillman of NetEnt stated that this venture is “an important milestone for company’s attempts to expand across North America,” and added:

“Entering regulated markets is a vital part of our strategy going forward, especially within the World Lottery Association segment. I am sure that our exciting games will be much appreciated by the BCLC’s players.”

Source:

“Alberta seeks technical for online gambling launch”, igamingbusiness.com, January 22, 2019.