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The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) board has confirmed Bede Gaming as suitable to receive a conditional one-year iGaming Goods or Services Supplier licence, making it one of the first international platform providers to gain approval from the regulator ahead of Alberta’s market launch later in 2026.
The clearance enables Bede to offer its platform services to operators preparing to enter the province once the market officially opens. Alberta began accepting supplier registrations in January 2026, and the province is expected to follow a regulatory structure similar to Ontario’s open, competitive model.
CEO Comment
Bede is delighted to receive conditional regulatory approval to work in Alberta, putting us in a great position to support operators with their upcoming expansions in the province. We have a longstanding investment in the Canadian iGaming industry, and I’m eager for the exciting opportunities ahead in this new market. As one of the first applicants to be formally recognised by the regulator, Bede offers a truly localised service to its partners, and the fact that we’re SOC 2 certified will allow them to hit the ground running as soon as they’re ready to launch.
That was Colin Cole-Johnson, Chief Executive Officer at Bede Gaming, on the company’s position in the market.
Alberta’s Market Outlook
Alberta is the second Canadian province to move toward a regulated, competitive iGaming market following Ontario, which launched in April 2022 and has since generated over $2 billion in tax revenue. The province holds Canada’s youngest adult population and among the highest GDP per capita figures nationally. Industry projections from Citizens JMP Securities estimate Alberta’s regulated iGaming market could exceed $700 million in annual revenue at maturity.
Bede’s SOC 2 certification is significant for operators weighing provincial entry. The standard covers security, availability, and data integrity controls, and AGLC’s approval process takes such compliance credentials into account when assessing supplier suitability. For operators needing to move quickly once the market opens, a pre-certified platform shortens integration timelines.
Bede is not alone in pursuing early approval. Soft2Bet has also announced its intent to enter the Alberta market pending regulatory sign-off, with the company positioning its Ontario-facing brand ToonieBet as the basis for its provincial strategy. The early mover dynamic mirrors what played out in Ontario, where suppliers that secured approvals ahead of launch day were better placed to support operator clients from day one.
Bede’s Canadian Footprint
Bede has been active in the Canadian market for several years, with its open-API platform and integration toolset positioned toward operators seeking configurability in regulated environments. The company has previously highlighted its approach of working directly with partners on gap analysis and localisation strategy rather than offering standardised solutions — a model it says is well suited to emerging provincial markets where operator needs vary.
Alberta’s launch date has not been formally confirmed by AGLC, though regulatory and industry activity through early 2026 points to a second-half opening. Alberta iGaming registration opened in January 2026, with the province running a supplier licensing process in parallel to operator approvals. The conditional, one-year nature of Bede’s licence reflects standard AGLC practice for new market entrants ahead of the full commercial launch.
Source: European Gaming
