Alberta has officially prohibited election betting as it prepares to launch its competitive online gambling market later this year.
On Tuesday, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) issued a bulletin informing potential online gambling operators about a new regulation that forbids wagers on political events.
This regulatory change amends section 4.6, 'Sports and Event Betting,' within Alberta’s Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming (SRIG). The new clause, 4.6.5.p, clearly states that:
Bets on political events (e.g., elections, by-elections, leadership contests) are prohibited.
The AGLC, which oversees Play Alberta, emphasized its dedication to reviewing policies to satisfy stakeholders while ensuring a robust regulatory framework. This amendment reflects that commitment.
As Alberta’s online market is still months away from its launch, further adjustments may occur.
While the exact launch date remains uncertain, it is anticipated to take place sometime this summer. The recent amendment illustrates the ongoing efforts to prepare the market.
In contrast to Ontario, the only Canadian province with a live regulated market that permits election betting, Alberta’s approach is distinct. Although Alberta's gambling expansion draws heavily from Ontario’s model, its prohibition on political wagers signifies a unique path.
Additionally, Alberta plans to implement a higher tax rate than Ontario’s 20% and will have a centralized self-exclusion program established prior to the launch. Ontario’s self-exclusion initiative, nearly four years in the making, has yet to be implemented.
While Alberta’s regulators have not disclosed the reasoning behind the ban on political wagers, they are not isolated in this decision. Historically, Ontario has been the only jurisdiction in North America to allow regulated gambling on political events, albeit briefly in 2020.
In April 2020, FanDuel launched presidential election markets in West Virginia after receiving approval from the state lottery board. However, the initiative was quickly shut down by government officials, with West Virginia Senator Jim Justice criticizing the move as absurd.
Despite the absence of legal election betting in Canada and the U.S., opportunities still exist for wagering on political markets through grey and black market operators.
Prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket offer significant election betting options, although these markets are largely inaccessible in Canada, with Polymarket being an exception for Albertans.
In the U.S., prediction markets operate under federal regulations, which has been a point of contention for many states. Kalshi currently features several election markets available for betting.