Alberta Adds Digital Dimension to Lottery by Launching Online Ticket Sales

  • Lottery games available online include Daily Grand, Lotto Max, and Western Max
  • AGLC said digital lottery ticket sales “brings Alberta in line with most other provinces”
  • AGLC’s Play Alberta platform also has plans to add sports wagering later in 2021 
  • Over the last two decades the AGLC has helped Albertan organizations raise over US$23bn

 

Alberta highway sign with the Rocky Mountains in the background
Albertans no longer have to leave home to play the lottery after the province’s sole gambling website launched online ticket sales for national and local lottery draws. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Albertans can enter draws online

Alberta’s sole legal online gambling website, PlayAlberta.ca, has launched online lottery ticket sales, giving Albertans the digital means to enter national and local draws.

Play Alberta’s parent organization, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), shared the news via Twitter on Friday, saying it would continue to offer adult Albertans “more entertainment options.”

Starting May 21, Albertans can head online to buy lottery tickets instead of going the usual route of traditional brick-and-mortar outlets.

The launch follows the October debut of the Neo-Pollard Interactive-powered Play Alberta platform, the regulated online casino that Albertans can access for real money betting via desktop or mobile. Since its launch last year, Play Alberta has added live dealer titles to its platform, including Evolution’s Infinite Blackjack and Roulette.

According to a May 21 AGLC news release, games available online via Play Alberta include Daily Grand, Lotto 6/49, Western 6/49, Lotto Max, and Western Max.

AGLC expanding digital horizons

The AGLC’s acting president and CEO Kandice Machado said adding an online purchasing facet to lottery games offers participants “convenience” and also generates “revenue that benefits Albertans.”

brings Alberta in line with most other provinces”

AGLC acting VP for gaming and cannabis Steve Lautischer concurred, saying the digital lottery ticket sales “brings Alberta in line with most other provinces in offering players their favourite draw-based lotto games.”

Play Alberta also includes slots, instants, and virtual games and has plans to add sports wagering later in 2021. 

Canada’s House of Commons gave its final thumbs up to Bill C-218 — which seeks to introduce regulated single-event sports betting in the country — on April 22. A little over a week later, the Senate debate on Bill C-218 began. After adjourning on May 6, the Senate sits again from May 25, with interested parties hoping for a swift and positive resolution so Bill C-218 finally goes to the Governor-General for Royal Assent.

The online purchase option also gives Albertans and fans of The King something to potentially look forward to, via Play Alberta’s lottery games. In March, International Game Technology announced a licensing rights agreement with Authentic Brands Group to launch Elvis Presley lottery games in Canada and the US.

Responsible gambling angle

According to the AGLC press release, the advent of online lottery sales offers a window of opportunity for it to “expand its GameSense responsible gambling program.” Since its launch last year on the Play Alberta website, the program has added new features, including loss, wager, and daily session limits.

Under the auspices of the AGLC, Play Alberta is available via digital devices to Albertans over the age of 18 who are located within provincial borders. The AGLC website states that over the last 20 years it has has “helped community organizations, charitable groups and First Nations communities raise over $28 billion” (US$23bn).

According to the AGLC’s Friday press release, Alberta’s General Revenue Fund benefited from receiving more than $1.4 bn (US$1.16 bn) through net gaming income in 2019-20.

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