The Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) has formalised a requirement that all operators seeking to enter the province’s regulated online gambling market must first secure RG Check accreditation, making independent responsible gambling verification a central pillar of its player protection framework. The move embeds measurable safety standards into the early stages of market approval rather than as post-licence compliance obligations.
The decision reflects Alberta’s objective to prioritise player protection as a market foundation ahead of a planned 2026 launch. By mandating third-party evaluation through the Responsible Gambling Council’s RG Check programme, the province is signalling that accreditation and ongoing compliance will be tied directly to market access and operational continuity.
Mandatory Independent Verification Tied to Licensing
AiGC’s collaboration with the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) positions RG Check, a longstanding, evidence-based responsible gambling accreditation programme, as a non-negotiable requirement for all iGaming platforms operating in the province. Under the new framework, operators must achieve and maintain RG Check accreditation before receiving full regulatory approval and throughout their operational tenure in the market.
RG Check evaluates operators against rigorous criteria, including governance policies, player safeguards, staff training, advertising practices, and ongoing monitoring systems. This approach ensures that responsible gambling measures are not simply policy statements but active, measurable controls that demonstrably support safer consumer experiences on platforms offering digital casino, sports betting, poker, and other internet gaming services.
Dan Keene, Interim CEO of AiGC, stated that Alberta is committed to building “a safer, regulated iGaming environment where player protection comes first,” highlighting that requiring independent verification through RG Check ensures operators entering the market demonstrate their commitment to measurable player safety benchmarks.
Accreditation Role and Operational Expectations
RG Check has evolved into a trusted standard in Canada and beyond, demonstrating its value in jurisdictions such as Ontario, which has incorporated accreditation into its regulatory baseline for digital gaming. Alberta’s iGaming framework mirrors that approach, with the added expectation that operators maintain accreditation in good standing over time and engage proactively in continuous improvement. As the province prepares for the rollout of licensed online casinos in Alberta, accreditation will serve as a foundational compliance filter rather than a supplementary safeguard.
While operators that already hold RG Check accreditation in other jurisdictions may experience a streamlined onboarding process, they must still achieve a distinct Alberta accreditation that reflects local regulatory priorities and market specifics. This balances efficiency with jurisdictional integrity, creating a level field where player protection is a competitive advantage rather than a mere compliance checkbox.
Embedding Responsible Gambling at Market Launch
Alberta’s requirement signals a conduct-first model for a regulated market, where protections must be verified before entry and sustained throughout operations. This is a departure from designs where responsible gambling safeguards are introduced or strengthened only after operators are already active in a market.
By integrating RG Check accreditation into the licensing matrix, Alberta is asserting that independent verification and accountability belong at the centre of regulatory expectations from the outset. This aligns with broader goals to ensure that as the regulated market grows, it does so without compromising consumer confidence or exposing players to undue risk.
Strategic Implications for Operators
By making RG Check accreditation a pre-licensing requirement, Alberta is redefining responsible gambling as a market-entry condition rather than a post-approval obligation. Operators must now integrate governance, safeguards and oversight structures into their launch strategy from the outset.
- Regulatory certainty increases: Operators now have clear, documented criteria for responsible gambling expectations prior to licensing.
- Operational planning impacted: Responsible gambling strategy and governance must be established early, not retrofitted.
- Competitive differentiation: Accredited operators may gain trust advantages among consumers and regulators in a market built on independent verification.
While the broader online gambling landscape in North America continues to evolve, Alberta’s decision positions responsible gambling as a front-end compliance threshold, setting a precedent that could influence neighbouring jurisdictions evaluating regulatory frameworks for digital wagering.
Player Protection as Market Foundation
Alberta’s move to make RG Check accreditation mandatory for all regulated iGaming operators signals a foundational shift in how player protection is integrated into licensing standards. Rather than treating responsible gambling as a licence condition applied after market entry, Alberta has embedded independent verification at the point of access, ensuring that operators demonstrate adherence to robust, evidence-based safeguards before they can serve consumers.
As Alberta prepares for the full launch of its regulated market, this accreditation requirement will offer a structured, measurable basis for ongoing compliance and continuous responsible gambling performance, a model that underscores player safety as a core regulatory priority rather than a peripheral obligation.