Alberta’s privacy watchdog has raised concerns over a recent legislation that allows a government-owned corporation to potentially sell personal information of users to a private entity, setting a worrying precedent for data protection in the province. The newly passed Bill 31, The Red Tape Reduction Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, could permit Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) to sell its online gambling platform, Play Alberta, along with customers’ personal data.
While the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) in Alberta, implemented in June 2025, prohibits public bodies from selling personal information, the red tape bill includes a narrow exemption that would enable AGLC to sell personal data if certain protective measures are in place, as approved by the cabinet.
Privacy Commissioner Diane McLeod expressed concerns about this development, highlighting that this could be the first instance under POPA where personal information collected by a public body is sold to a private sector organization, raising questions about the legislation’s implications.
McLeod also emphasized the potential risks associated with the transaction, pointing out that Play Alberta likely stores sensitive information such as demographics, geolocation data, and behavioral records of online gambling activities without clear disclosure to customers. As of October 2025, the platform had 434,000 registered accounts.
In response to these concerns, Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally assured that AGLC currently has no immediate plans to sell Play Alberta. However, if a sale were to proceed, customers would be notified and given the option to opt out and have their personal information deleted before the transaction. Nally emphasized the importance of customer choice and compared the situation to past privatization instances like Air Canada, stressing the necessity of including customer data in such transitions.
Nally dismissed fears that this change could pave the way for broader selling of personal information, stating that the exception granted in this case is specific and narrow, focusing on government business enterprises. The Play Alberta website generated $267 million in net sales in the 2024-25 fiscal year, and with the upcoming opening of Alberta’s regulated online gambling market to private entities on July 13, the provincial government stands to receive a portion of the private sites’ revenue.
AGLC spokesperson Karin Campbell deferred questions regarding privacy protection and legislation back to the provincial government, as the province prepares for shifts in the iGaming sector. As of late April, 49 operators have shown interest in running 56 gambling sites, with 28 companies already applying to operate 36 sites, indicating a growing market interest in Alberta’s online gambling industry.