The Alberta government has announced it’s cutting funding to a nonprofit organization that provides education in responsible gambling and assistance for those suffering from gambling addiction.
As CBC reported, Ray Reshke, executive director of the Edmonton-based Problem Gambling Resources Network, says his organization has been told the government is ending its three-contract a year early. As a result of that decision, the organization will have to fold.
The Alberta government is currently working on an igaming regulatory regime for an Ontario-style competitive private-operator model. In Ontario, a commitment to responsible gambling is a pillar of the licensing process. Operators must successfully achieve and maintain responsible-gambling accreditation through the Responsible Gambling Council’s RG Check program to ensure a high standard of responsible-gambling performance.
The Alberta government’s Recovery Alberta, established in July 2024, is responsible for the delivery of mental-health, addiction, and correctional-health services.
Recovery Alberta sent CDC Gaming this written response after being contacted.
“The Problem Gambling Resource Network’s (PGRN) had a grant agreement with Recovery Alberta for $129,700 annually. These funds are being reallocated to focus on frontline delivery of services to directly support Albertans in their pursuit of recovery.
“Prevention services continue to be available with an ongoing investment from Alberta’s government of $2.5 million per year. Recovery Alberta is ensuring those dealing with any form of addiction has access to care. At any time, Albertans can call the Addiction and Mental Health Helpline to connect with trained professionals for access to services.
“We also continue to operate the Residential Gambling Treatment Program in the Northern Addictions Centre and support several addiction recovery centres who offer treatment programs for gambling addiction.”
It has been anticipated that Alberta’s new igaming market will go live this fall. But there’s been no update on that from government sources.
“There will be more updates on Alberta’s igaming strategy later this year,” said Brandon Aboultaif, a spokesperson from the office of Dale Nally, Minister of Service and Red Tape Reduction, Province of Alberta, the office that was quarterbacking the due diligence on behalf of the provincial government.
In an investor conference call on Friday, PointsBet Group CEO Sam Swanell, talking about the company’s Q2 FY2025 results, was asked about Alberta. PointsBet is one of the companies expected to be among the first in once the market goes live.
“Not a whole lot of chatter, waiting for governments to come back and resume their deliberations and sessions and the like,” he said. “But the expectation [for launch] is still clearly NFL season this year. So you talk about September this year or around that timeline and that’s an important point, because Alberta will just add a material amount to the size of that [Canadian] market and it won’t come with a whole lot of additional costs. In terms of helping Canada power toward that EBITDA and profitability, the additional province coming online around that time will be very helpful.”
