Dale Nally’s strategy for Alberta is to prioritize incentives.

Speaking at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas last week, Dale Nally, Alberta’s Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, did not offer a specific timeline for when Alberta might establish a regulated online gambling market. However, he did provide insights into how he is approaching the process and the progress of ongoing discussions.

In a lighthearted moment, Nally joked about the irony of someone responsible for cutting red tape pushing for regulations. Yet, he emphasized his passion for introducing regulated gaming to the province.

“To clarify, my role isn’t to reduce regulation,” Nally said to the G2E attendees. “It’s about cutting red tape, which we define as eliminating regulatory duplication and unnecessary rules.”

Leading with Incentives, Not Punishments

Nally believes that an open market imposes unnecessary restrictions on the industry. He advocates for including grey operators, explaining this as a way of “leading with the carrot, not the stick.”

“Incentives generate more industry buy-in,” Nally stated. “I believe most people are inherently good, and mistakes should be addressed with coaching and training.”

He praised Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), sharing how impressed he was during ride-alongs with AGLC officers, who focus on educating violators rather than enforcing rules harshly.

Nally is more open than some Canadian regulators to converting grey-market operators, seeing them as willing to comply with a regulatory framework similar to Ontario’s. His discussions with industry players reinforced his belief that these operators are committed to following the rules.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how strongly the industry voiced its commitment to responsible gaming,” Nally added. “That’s great news for me as I return to Alberta and discuss their commitment with my colleagues.”

Involving First Nations in the Process

Nally’s conversations haven’t been limited to operators and government officials. Talks with First Nations groups have also been a key focus, starting this summer, as previously reported by Canadian Gaming Business.

“We made a commitment in 2019 when we were elected to treat First Nations as partners in prosperity,” Nally said. The specifics of this partnership are still to be determined, as First Nations groups remain undecided on how they want to proceed.

“They want a role in the iGaming market, but they’re still exploring their options. Will they partner with an existing operator or form a consortium to launch their own brand? It’s uncertain at this stage,” Nally explained. “But we view them as partners, and we welcome them into this iGaming space.”

Timeline Dependent on Legislative Approval

Canadian Gaming Association President and CEO Paul Burns, who moderated the panel, concluded by asking Nally what he hopes to say about Alberta’s online gaming market a year from now.

“If I’m back here next year, I’ll be bragging about the Edmonton Oilers winning the Stanley Cup,” Nally joked. “But more importantly, I’ll be talking about an open and free market in Alberta and hearing feedback like, ‘Thank you for making our entry into your market seamless.’”

To achieve this, Nally must first introduce enabling legislation, with the earliest potential approval coming next spring. Whether the market launches before or after October 2025 remains to be seen.