Alberta to dedicate additional resources to problem gambling

• Early in July, Alberta officially launched its regulated iGaming market
• The province now is examining proposals for services for gambling addiction
• The problem gambling services will complement the existing resources available to residents across Alberta

About a month ago, Alberta became the second Canadian province to launch regulated online gambling.

Following the footsteps of Ontario, iGaming in Alberta marked an important milestone for the province.

Now, as part of the online gambling market launch, the local government is looking into enhancing its gambling addiction support capabilities.

Extra programs will help combat gambling harm and addiction

Regulated online gambling launched across Alberta on July 13, 2026.

This marks an important development in the province’s gambling industry, considering the activity is now licensed and regulated.

Besides generating tax revenue, regulated iGaming will fund programs for treatment and support to people impacted by problem gambling and gambling harm.

As announced by The Canadian Press, a local media outlet, Alberta’s government is looking into proposals for support and treatment of gambling addiction.

The move is part of the province’s online gambling market launch and the goal of the Mental Health and Addiction Ministry is to provide support to individuals and families affected by problem gambling and harm.

It is unclear how many organizations will make it through the screening process.

However, it is important to note that the additional problem gambling resources will complement the existing offering in Alberta.

Currently, the province has problem gambling hotlines and an addiction and mental health program called Recovery Alberta.

Individuals who access Recovery Alberta can benefit from confidential services, support and information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The funding of the additional gambling addiction treatment and support services will be completed via tax revenue collected from online gambling.

Undoubtedly, the effort is going to be beneficial, considering the easy access to online gambling activities via smartphones and their association to enhanced risk of problem gambling.

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