RMA participated in the consultation process, which included discussions on nearly all aspects of the charitable gaming model in Alberta
In early 2021, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) undertook the next phase of a multi-year stakeholder engagement process examining all aspects of Alberta’s charitable gaming system. This examination included the challenges and issues that charitable organizations have communicated to AGLC regarding charitable gaming in Alberta. The engagement process began in 2019 with an online survey and resumed in 2021 with invite-only working groups involving charitable organizations and other relevant stakeholders. RMA was represented in the working groups by District 5 Director Soren Odegard.
Recently, the AGLC released a What We Heard Report outlining the major input emerging from the engagement process. AGLC identified three over-arching themes present throughout the engagement:
- Simplify processes
- Simplify processes and reporting required by charitable organizations
- Minimize regulatory burden for charitable organizations by removing outdated policies
- Modernize technology
- Accept online submissions for applications and financial reporting
- Introduce an online profile system for licence applications and reporting, as well as live chat and FAQ resources
- Improve communication
- Improve AGLC communication with stakeholders
- Demonstrate the value of charitable gaming by reporting the impact of the charitable sector to the public
Changes to Casino Boundaries and Revenue Distribution
RMA’s advocacy priority related to charitable gaming focuses on the need for current casino boundaries and revenue distribution models to be modernized. The current distribution model is inequitable and unfair to rural-based charitable organizations. Based on resolution 13-17F: AAMDC Advisory Committee to Support the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission in Reviewing Charitable Gaming in Alberta, RMA formed a member committee on this issue in 2018, and released a report outlining the issue and providing several principles and recommendations as to how casino revenues could be more equitably distributed. This report formed the basis of RMA’s involvement in the recent AGLC review.
Unfortunately, the What We Heard Report does not focus on any significant changes to the casino boundaries and revenue distribution model, although it does include a section outlining discussions in this area (beginning on page 35).
Next Steps
Based on the engagement outcomes, AGLC plans to develop recommendations on how to improve the charitable gaming model, which will be reviewed by the AGLC Board of Directors and shared publicly. RMA plans to follow up with AGLC to emphasize the need for more detailed engagement on the specific issue of casino boundaries and revenue distribution.
Wyatt Skovron
Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com