TLDR Alberta’s gambling regulator AGLC has banned all political betting including elections and leadership contests ahead of the province’s new online gambling market launch The amendment to Alberta’s Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming expressly prohibits wagers on political events Alberta’s regulated online gambling market is expected to go live this summer Unlike Ontario, which allows election betting, Alberta is charting its own course with stricter rules and a higher tax rate Prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket continue to offer election betting outside of traditional regulated markets
Alberta will not allow election betting when its new regulated online gambling market opens later this year.
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission published a bulletin on Tuesday announcing a new rule that bans political wagers. The change comes as the province prepares for the launch of its competitive online gambling market, expected sometime this summer.
The regulatory update involves an amendment to section 4.6 of Alberta’s Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming. The new addition is a single line that reads: “Bets on political events (e.g., elections, by-elections, leadership contests) are prohibited.”
The AGLC said it is committed to reviewing policies to meet the needs of stakeholders while maintaining an effective regulatory environment. The commission described the amendment as a result of that ongoing commitment.
An exact launch date for Alberta’s regulated online market has not been confirmed. The current expectation points to sometime this summer.
Alberta Takes a Different Path Than Ontario
Ontario is currently the only Canadian province with a live regulated open market for online gambling. Ontario does allow election betting on its platform.
While Alberta’s gambling expansion plans largely borrow from Ontario’s framework, the ban on political wagers shows the province is not simply copying its neighbor. Alberta will also implement a