Alberta awards funding for gambling recovery centre
Minister Dale Nally says the one per cent revenue commitment isn’t fixed and could rise if treatment needs demand it.
Key Takeaways
- Alberta’s government has awarded CA$2.4m for Brick House Recovery Centre to expand problem gambling treatment and recovery programmes.
- The money will support the centre’s Edmonton and Calgary locations and virtual services available across Alberta.
- The grant is part of a commitment to direct one per cent of regulated igaming revenue to gambling addiction treatment upfront so services start before the province collects operators’ contributions.r.
Canada.- Alberta’s government has committed CA$2.4 m to Brick House Recovery Centre to expand gambling addiction treatment in Edmonton, Calgary and online. It will pay the grant before the province starts collecting operators’ contributions from the new regulated igaming market in order to allow services to get underway.
The province has a pledge to direct one per cent of regulated igaming revenues to treatment. Minister Dale Nally said the contribution should be enough to cover the intensive outpatient treatment required by people experiencing problematic gambling behaviour, but stressed that the percentage is not fixed. “If we have to raise the one per cent, we’re prepared to do that,” he said.
Dr. Lovneet Hayer, co-founder of Brick House Recovery Centre, said the organisation aims to provide recovery-focused support to people affected by gambling addiction. “Our goal is to offer hope, practical support and a path towards lasting recovery,” Hayer said.
Launch of regulated market in Alberta
Alberta followed Ontario to become the second Canadian province with a regulated online gambling market. The market launched in July, allowing private operators to offer sports betting and casino products under a provincial licensing system. Some 50 operators have registered with Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis, including DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, bet365 and BetRivers, while the Alberta igaming Corporation oversees the regulated market.
The model is largely based on Ontario’s regulated framework, which launched in 2022. Authorities estimate that around 70 per cent of gambling activity had been conducted through foreign-licensed operators up until now. They forecast around CA$ 1bn in gambling revenue during the first year.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- How much is Alberta spending on problem gambling treatment? Alberta has announced a CA$2.4 million grant to Brick House Recovery Centre, which runs services in Edmonton and Calgary and online.
- Where does Alberta’s gambling treatment funding come from? The grant is part of a commitment to direct one per cent of regulated igaming revenues to treatment. The government paid upfront so Albertans wouldn’t have to wait for that revenue, and Minister Dale Nally said the percentage could rise if needed.
- How much of Alberta’s gambling happens offshore? Authorities estimate about 70 per cent of gambling activity previously went through foreign-licensed operators.
