The province of Alberta will launch online gambling after entering selecting platform provider NeoPollard Interactive to power its offering through a tender process.
The province confirmed plans to launch igaming, regulated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), in March as part of its 2020 budget. In 2019, it launched a request for proposals to determine who would provide the necessary technology for the offering.
NeoPollard, a subsidiary of lottery ticket printing company Pollard Banknote and also provides interactive lottery solutions in Virginia, New Hampshire, Michigan and North Carolina, won this process. The AGLC’s agreement with NeoPollard will last seven years, with an optional twelve-year extension.
“NeoPollard Interactive is honoured to be entrusted by AGLC to power its online gambling solution using our market-proven technology, services and games,” Liz Siver, general manager of NeoPollard Interactive said.
“We are confident that our partnership with AGLC will help generate incremental revenues to benefit all Albertans.”
The AGLC said NeoPollard’s platform “will provide a secure, age-controlled environment that promotes healthy gambling behaviour and fully integrates AGLC’s GameSense responsible gambling program”.
The platform will be open to Albertans who are over the age of 18 and physically located within the province’s borders. It will offer casino games and sports betting, as well as bingo and lottery. NeoPollard does not offer casino or sportsbook products with any of its other lottery partners.
It comes as legislative efforts to expand Canada’s sports betting market are ongoing. A bill to legalize single-event sports betting across Canada was filed in the Canadian parliament in February, and has drawn support from professional sports leagues and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
“For nearly 25 years, AGLC has been a leader in the management of Alberta’s gaming industry, which brings benefits to all Albertans and our communities,” Niaz Nejad, chief operating officer of the AGLC said.
“We are excited to move forward with NeoPollard to offer a dynamic entertainment option that brings Alberta in line with other Canadian provinces that deliver regulated online gambling sites.”
The AGLC did not provide an update to the launch date of the platform, but said in March that it was expected to go live by mid-2021.