Larry Spagnolo’s appointment as the new chair of Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) comes at a pivotal moment as the Alberta gaming regulator prepares to oversee the province’s transition to a regulated online gambling market launching in early 2026.
Leadership Transition at Critical Juncture
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has appointed Emerson senior executive Larry Spagnolo as chairman of the board, with Spagnolo assuming his role at Alberta’s gaming, liquor and cannabis regulator on August 15. The appointment comes as the Alberta gaming regulator faces one of its most significant transformations in recent history.
Spagnolo succeeds Len Rhodes, who decided not to seek a third term after leading AGLC since August 2019. The new chair brings extensive corporate leadership experience, currently serving as Vice Chair for Athabasca University’s Board of Governors and having held board roles with NAIT and Polytechnics Canada. He currently serves as vice president and general manager at US technology and engineering company Emerson and previously held senior roles at Zedi, which was acquired by Emerson in July 2019.
Alberta iGaming Act Paves Way for Market Transformation
The new leadership transition coincides with Alberta’s preparation for a revolutionary shift in its gambling landscape. Alberta is set to become the second Canadian province to legalize its private online gambling market after the Legislative Assembly passed Bill 48, better known as the iGaming Alberta Act. The bill received the Lieutenant Governor’s Royal Assent on June 17, paving the way for a legalized market to kick off as soon as early 2026.
The Alberta iGaming Act represents a fundamental shift from the current monopoly model. Currently, the province is served only by the government-run PlayAlberta, which has faced competition from unregulated offshore gambling sites. The move comes three years after Ontario implemented the same model, which has produced over $7 billion in gross market revenue from online gambling alone.
The introduction of this competitive framework will provide Alberta players with unprecedented choice in licensed gaming platforms. As the regulated market opens, residents will gain access to numerous established operators already successful in other Canadian jurisdictions. For those interested in exploring the landscape of licensed operators entering the market, comprehensive casino reviews of these popular online platforms offer valuable insights into game selections, bonuses, and user experiences that will soon be available to Alberta players.
Dual Regulatory and Operational Structure
Under the new framework, the gaming authority will maintain a dual structure similar to Ontario’s successful model. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will regulate the expanded market, while a new Crown corporation, the Alberta iGaming Corporation, will oversee operations. This separation ensures regulatory independence while allowing efficient market management.
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) will regulate the market, and the new bill doesn’t include a cap on the number of operators. This open-market approach mirrors Ontario’s strategy and is expected to attract major operators currently active in other Canadian jurisdictions.
Market Impact and Industry Expectations
The transformation represents a significant economic opportunity for Alberta gambling stakeholders. In 2024, PlayAlberta reported C$235 million in profit, yet captured only around 45% of the gambling market. The regulated market launch aims to capture revenue currently flowing to offshore operators while providing enhanced consumer protections.
Operators of books in Ontario, such as BetMGM, Caesars, and several others, have said they’re planning to enter the Alberta market in Q1 2026. Industry analysts expect the market to generate substantial revenue, with some predicting Alberta could become a top-tier Canadian gambling jurisdiction.
Enhanced Consumer Protection Framework
The Alberta iGaming Act introduces comprehensive player protection measures that exceed current standards. The iGaming Alberta Act creates a centralized self-exclusion system while also requiring the promotion of RG tools and resources through existing programs, including GameSense. This province-wide self-exclusion platform will operate across all licensed operators, providing unprecedented consumer protection coordination.
The legislation emphasizes responsible gambling through regulatory flexibility rather than rigid legislative requirements. Minister Dale Nally has consistently argued that having regulators handle RG allows changes to be made “on a dime” rather than going through a legislative process to make adjustments.
