RG Check accreditation is set to become a mandatory requirement for annual iGaming sites in Canada’s regulated market.
Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) has announced a partnership with the Responsible Gambling Council that will make RG Check accreditation a mandatory factor for any online gaming sites that wish to enter the province’s regulated market.
In its press release, RGC noted that this decision ensures that operators continue to operate in line with the highest Gamble standards that are evidence-based.
Over ten years, the Responsible Gambling Council came up with the RG Check as a third, independent accreditation program for responsible gambling. The RG Check examines areas such as governance, player protections, staff training, and marketing practices for compliance with evidence-based standards.
Operators are required to keep their RG Check certification while carrying on business in the province, and RGC carries out unannounced inspections.
For those who have already received accreditation in other regions, moving to Alberta will be no problem at all.
Dan Keene, interim AiGC CEO, said:
Alberta is committed to building a safer, regulated iGaming environment where player protection comes first. By requiring RG Check accreditation, we’re ensuring that every iGaming operator in our market has demonstrated their commitment to player safety through independent verification of their responsible gambling programs.
Sarah McCarthy, RGC CEO, added:
This partnership with AiGC demonstrates the power of regulators and responsible gambling experts working together to protect players from day one. Alberta is building on a strong foundation established in Ontario, where RG Check has proven its value in creating safer gambling environments. This proactive approach ensures that player protection isn’t an afterthought; it’s built into the market from the ground up.
Authorities in the province of Alberta authorized the registrations of iGaming operators and service providers which happened in the month of January. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) released the “Standards and Requirements for Internet Gaming” which is essentially the rulebook and regulatory framework the new market has to follow.
The AGLC only started to receive registration applications after the amendments to the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation were approved. The process of entering the market involves two steps: firstly, applicants must register with the AGLC for the purpose of regulatory oversight, and secondly, they need to work with the Alberta iGaming Corporation to finish the commercial agreements. Additionally, they must also comply with the AGLC’s central self-exclusion program.
