Play Alberta, the Canadian province’s online gaming monopoly operator, is now offering online lottery ticket sales for the first time for national and local draws.
Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, Daily Grand and Western Max are among the games available online as Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) seeks to expand the PlayAlberta.ca digital offering.
The move comes seven months after the launch of the NeoPollard Interactive-powered PlayAlberta.ca platform in the Canadian province, adding to the range of slot and table game content. AGLC plans to add sports wagering to the site later in 2021.
“AGLC continues to expand entertainment opportunities for Albertans through the introduction of lottery games on Play Alberta. Creating new digital purchasing options provides consumer convenience, while continuing to generate revenue that benefits Albertans,” said Kandice Machado, the AGLC’s acting president and chief executive officer.
AGLC said the introduction of online lottery sales creates an opportunity to expand its GameSense responsible gambling program within the Play Alberta website. Since the site’s launch in October 2020, new responsible gambling features have been added to Play Alberta, including loss, bet and daily session limits.
“AGLC will work in lockstep with lottery retailers to make sure Albertans never miss an opportunity to play their favourite lotto games – a possibility that wasn’t available to Albertans until now. The introduction of online lottery sales brings Alberta in line with most other provinces in offering players their favourite draw-based lotto games,” said Steve Lautischer, AGLC’s acting vice president of gaming.
Canada’s parliament has this year passed a bill that would allow single-event sports betting. Bill C-218, the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, has cleared the lower house and moved to the senate and will then be passed to the Governor-General for Royal Assent. AGLC has been a supporter of the expansion of sports betting in the country.