Latest Gambling News: Alberta Maps Out Next Steps Toward Online Market Launch, and more

Catch up on some of the stories our gambling compliance analysts have covered lately, and stay up-to-date on the latest news.

Alberta Maps Out Next Steps Toward Online Market Launch

Following the publication of new standards and regulations, the newly established Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC) is preparing to move at pace to launch the province’s competitive online gambling market.

AiGC interim CEO Dan Keene is understood to have delivered a clear message to operators and suppliers gathered at the World Regulatory Briefing held alongside the ICE convention in Barcelona: they should not wait to begin the regulatory approvals process that was opened earlier this month by the province’s gambling authority, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC).

The AGLC registration process typically takes around three to six months, although it is possible that could be expedited in the case of operators and suppliers already registered under the similar regime in Ontario.

Only operators registered with the AGLC will be eligible to partner with AiGC to offer sports betting and online casino games in Alberta’s liberalized market.

A question on the lips of ICE delegates was whether the Alberta market could even launch in time for the start of the FIFA World Cup in June that will be partly held in Canada.

It remains to be seen if that will be possible and AiGC is not publicly committing to a firm timeline, although Keene discouraged ICE delegates from assuming that the planned launch sometime later this year automatically would mean toward the back-end of 2026.

After the release of standards for internet gaming and other compliance documents by AGLC, AiGC will now take on a more central role in launching the Alberta market.

As in Ontario, Alberta has established a new government-owned corporation to contract with registered private operators to serve as its agents for online gaming, in line with the requirement under Canadian federal law for provinces to directly “conduct and manage” all gambling within their jurisdictions.

California Racetrack Sues State Over Seizure Of HHR Machines

Santa Anita Racetrack has filed a lawsuit against state attorney general Rob Bonta over the seizure of 26 historical horseracing (HHR) machines, alleging their confiscation was unconstitutional.

The machines, so-called Racing on Demand pari-mutuel games, offered $1 wagers and required gamblers to select the first three finishers of three random six-horse previously run races. The terminals are based on past races at several tracks outside of California.

The Los Angeles Turf Club, which operates Santa Anita, contends that the terminals are legal, that they were seized without warning or warrant, and that Bonta’s office has yet to provide any legal basis for their seizure.

The machines were installed on January 15 and were in operation for three days before they were confiscated, according to the Daily Racing Form (DRF). Santa Anita was the second California racetrack to introduce the terminals after Del Mar, near San Diego, installed them in August 2024 and they were approved by state racing officials, DRF reported.

According to media reports, track officials and the attorney general’s office had meetings over the last year to discuss the legality of the machines. Santa Anita officials discussed the issue with California Horse Racing Board officials before installing the terminals.

The Department of Justice issued a notice that the machines will be destroyed after 30 days unless a court intervenes. The 30-day period began on January 17.

Santa Anita filed its lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, but as of Thursday (January 22) no hearing date has been set.

Gambling Commission Appoints Interim Chair Of Industry Forum

Britain’s Gambling Commission has appointed Kirsty Caldwell as the interim chair of the Industry Forum.

The Industry Forum comprises members of Britain’s gambling sector and provides the regulator with insight into the industry's views on the Gambling Commission’s plans, its service to the industry and the public, and the wider environment in which the sector operates.

Caldwell has been a member since March 2024 and is serving as the interim chair while the regulator searches for a permanent replacement for the previous chair, Nick Rust, whose term in the position ended in November 2025.

Caldwell has extensive experience in gambling compliance, and currently runs Betsmart Consulting, an organisation she founded in 2019.

Her background also includes an almost decade-long stint at William Hill across a number of compliance-based roles, culminating in her role as head of compliance for the online business.

On her appointment, Caldwell said that she remains fully committed to building a “healthy, respected gambling sector” and that communication between the regulator and the industry is key to achieving this.

She added: “We may not get it right every time, but the important thing is we learn from our mistakes, we keep talking and we keep moving forwards.”

Gambling Commission Details Volume Of Actions Against Illegal Operators

Gambling Commission executive director Tim Miller has detailed the British regulator's actions in 2025 against illegal gambling websites and apps.

Miller told ICE attendees in Barcelona on January 19 that between April and December 2025 the commission issued 592 cease-and-desist notices to advertisers and operators; reported 327,964 URLs to various search engines, resulting in 203,571 URLs removed to date; referred 839 websites to search engines for delisting; and disrupted 627 websites that were either taken down or geo-blocked.

This was in addition to the actions taken by the commission's enforcement team that Miller did not want to disclose publicly.

He said the numbers showed that the commission had undertaken a lot of work to better understand the illegal market using a broad, evidence-based approach, while also disrupting efforts by unlicensed operators to target UK consumers.

Miller's comments were part of his overall challenge to operators about "whose side are you on?" when it came to their attitude to the illegal market and the possible role they might have in growing it.

Lottery Courier Service TheLotter Exits New York

Lottery courier service TheLotter will cease operations in New York next week, describing the move as part of its ongoing efforts to streamline its business and focus on long-term growth.

The company announced it would end operations in New York on January 29.

“While we are proud to have served players in New York, this strategic shift enables us to focus on markets where we can grow more efficiently and deliver the best possible experience,” said Jessica Griggs, TheLotter’s U.S. head of marketing.

TheLotter will continue to offer lottery courier services in Arizona, Oregon, and Minnesota, while further strengthening its presence in these markets and preparing for additional state launches.

TheLotter entered New York in June 2024 after receiving approval from the state’s gaming commission. In November, the company announced its decision to leave New Jersey.

“By concentrating our efforts, we’re positioning ourselves for sustainable expansion across the county,” Griggs added.

Arkansas, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, and Oregon are the only five states that expressly permit lottery courier services. New Jersey and New York have specific rules for lottery couriers, whereas Arkansas, Colorado, and Oregon allow them to operate within their regulations for lottery retailers.

UK Court Dismisses Alexander And Feldman Civil Challenge Against Gambling Commission

The UK Royal Courts of Justice has dismissed the claims of former gaming execs Kenny Alexander and Lee Feldman in their civil legal challenge against Britain’s Gambling Commission.

The case centred on the regulator’s handling of a licence review linked to the pair’s attempted takeover of 888 Holdings in the summer of 2023.

The talks failed because the regulator informed the operator that, should it accept the pair’s offer, its UK operating licence would be reviewed.

The Gambling Commission cited issues related to the executive’s historical roles at Entain, with Alexander serving as CEO and Feldman as chair, whose activities were currently under investigation by HM Revenue and Customs for alleged bribery offences.

They do hold some stake in the company through their FS Gaming Investments business. Initially, this investment company bought a 6.57 percent stake in June 2023, but this was reduced to 4.55 percent following the breakdown in takeover talks.

The pair argued that the regulator had infringed their privacy by issuing a public statement that revealed both the existence of the licence review and its reasons.

They maintained that this publication exceeded what was necessary and damaged their reputation.

However, Justice Eady has dismissed their arguments and the claim, ordering both claimants to pay the Gambling Commission's legal costs.

The regulator has not commented on the case's outcome.

According to reports in The Guardian, the legal teams for Alexander and Feldman have confirmed they will appeal the court's decision.

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