The Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) and the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) recently announced that RG Check accreditation will be a requirement for all iGaming sites entering the province’s regulated market. This requirement will apply not only at the time of entry but also going forward. Operators must maintain their accreditation in good standing, with AiGC and RGC working towards ongoing compliance and improvement.
This development comes as Alberta is further developing its attractive iGaming regulatory environment. A regulated private market is expected later in 2026, and the registration of operators has already begun. Companies in the process are allowed to advertise and collect sign-ups, but are not yet able to accept deposits or wagers.
Why This Is More Than a Badge Requirement
Alberta’s policy affects a market that the province itself recognizes as being dominated by unregulated supply. The provincial government estimates that unlicensed operators capture approximately 70% of the total market, while also pointing out that player protection is weaker in that segment.
RG Check is no mere self-certification. RGC’s published accreditation process involves review, interviews, employee and player surveys, technical assessment, scoring, panel review, and final accreditation decisions. RGC also indicates that iGaming sites must receive at least 70% overall and at least 50% in each of nine standards. Accreditation will be valid for three years, and annual update checklists will be required during that period.
Alberta’s policy looks like a genuine gatekeeper: operators must have evidence-based safer gambling practices in place before entering the market. This is particularly important for operators who plan a quick Alberta launch in addition to their existing North American presence.
Ontario’s Template, Alberta’s Timing
Alberta is also treading a familiar Canadian path. iGaming Ontario publicly displays RG Check accreditation as a requirement for licensed operators, along with other responsible gaming commitments and AGCO compliance.
The Alberta twist is the timing and sequencing. By linking RG Check to market launch in the pre-launch phase, AiGC is essentially front-loading a crucial consumer protection measure while the market framework is still being constructed. The RGC/AiGC press release also states that operators with existing RG Check accreditation may qualify for a streamlined process, but they still require a separate accreditation in Alberta.
What Alberta’s Pre-Launch Rule Will Really Test
One thing that Alberta has been very clear about before opening its regulated market is that responsible gambling controls must be in place and functional. The real test that might come next is how quickly companies can achieve accreditation, how much compliance pressure smaller players can withstand, and whether these regulations will help move gamblers off of offshore operators.
Suppliers may now want to focus on solutions and processes that can hold up to scrutiny early, rather than after market launch. Through the market launch procedures, Alberta is establishing what “ready to operate” means in a regulated iGaming environment.
