PA R T N E R C O N T E N T
GAME ON
AGLC’s unique gambling model helps
thousands of charities carry out important
work provincewide
L
IZ O’NEILL IS AWARE HOW MANY
raised $12 million, which it has directly invested
kids would have been denied vital
into programs and facilities for kids.
programs and services through the
Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters
licences issued last year across the province
of Edmonton & Area (BGCBigs) if not for the
as part of Alberta’s charitable gaming model
province’s charitable gaming model.
administered by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor
In fact, since the not-for-profit organization
ALBERTA GAMING AND LIQUOR COMMISSION
The organization received one of over 16,000
Commission (AGLC). In compliance with the
responsible for supporting 5,000 Edmonton-area
Criminal Code (Canada), the Gaming and Liquor
children through its mentoring, summer camps
Act and Regulation and AGLC policies, eligible
and in-school tutoring programs first started
religious and charitable organizations like
holding casinos 35 years ago, BGCBigs has
BGCBigs are licensed to conduct and manage
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LIZ O’NEILL
casino table games and bingo, raffle or pull ticket
assets that are needed for young people to come
events to earn revenue for their organizations.
together.”
Charities that conduct licensed gaming events
“They allow us to use the money for children’s
are allowed to keep all the proceeds they earn after
summer camps so that we can provide 9 a.m. to 5
expenses and prizes. Last year, charitable gaming
p.m. programming. They also let us use the money
revenue totalled $342 million and was used by
so that we can rent vans to transport children to
groups to support a diverse
range of community
projects and initiatives,
from medical research and
nature conservation to arts
programs.
“One of the great things about the Alberta
Gaming and Liquor Commission is that the
money is allocated directly to service for
kids,” says Liz O’Neill, of BGCBigs.
For this opportunity,
especially having the ability to hold casinos and
the campsites,” explains O’Neill. Like many other
raffles, the folks at BGCBigs are grateful. “One
Alberta groups, money raised via charitable gaming
of the great things about the Alberta Gaming and
accounts for a hefty portion of BGCBigs’ coffers –
Liquor Commission is that the money is allocated
amounting to roughly 20 per cent of its $6.4-million
directly to service for kids,” explains O’Neill, the
annual revenue. The organization, which has
agency’s executive director. “That means we are
approximately 3,200 volunteers, also holds a Dream
allowed to spend those dollars on staff who work
Home Lottery raffle every year.
directly with children and on infrastructure costs
– like buildings, lights, parking lots – the kinds of
ALBERTA GAMING AND LIQUOR COMMISSION
“I am very proud of Alberta’s charitable gaming
model,” says Bill Robinson, AGLC president and
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PA R T N E R C O N T E N T
CEO. “It’s unlike anything else offered in Canada, enabling
charitable and religious groups to benefit directly from gaming
activities. From selling 50/50 tickets at hockey games to holding
raffles for dream homes, charities dedicate countless volunteer
hours to gaming activities so that they can use the revenue to
continue doing great work in Alberta communities.”
“Whether you visit a library, attend
a cultural event or utilize seniors’
services, it is often gaming dollars at
work behind the scenes,” says AGLC
president and CEO Bill Robinson.
As a service to organizations, the AGLC offers the Gaming
Information for Charitable Groups (GAIN) Program to learn the
responsibilities and requirements of gaming licensing. The free
session can be taken in-person or online. Information includes
licensing and application processes for casinos, raffles, bingos
and pull tickets, financial reporting, and use of proceeds. Since
2003, more than 33,000 attendees from more than 10,000
charities in 126 communities have attended a GAIN session.
One thing O’Neill appreciates is the ease with which charities
can operate scheduled gaming events with support from the
AGLC. “These people have our backs,” she says. “They look
out for us and we have had a wonderful relationship with the
BILL ROBINSON
AGLC. They are open to hearing from the charitable sector.”
THE ALBERTA LOTTERY FUND IS ANOTHER WAY
20 YEARS AND COUNTING
Albertans benefit from gaming revenue. The AGLC transfers
net proceeds from video lottery terminals (vlts), slot machines,
This year marks the 20th year the Alberta Gaming and Liquor
electronic bingo and lottery tickets to the fund: in 2014-15, this
Commission (AGLC) has provided gaming and liquor choices
amounted to $1.5 billion. Alberta Lottery Fund monies are used
Albertans can trust. Proceeds from liquor and gaming revenues
by the Government of Alberta to support thousands of public,
are improving Albertans’ quality of life by funding public, cultural,
volunteer and community-based initiatives across the province
recreational and support services.
each year. Alberta Lottery Fund dollars touch every Albertan.
“The Alberta Lottery Fund is something I always like to shine
a light on. I think a lot of Albertans would be happy to hear that
SINCE THE AGLC WAS FORMED IN 1996, IT HAS:
• Generated $23.4 billion in gaming revenue for the Alberta Lottery Fund
even if they didn’t hit the big slot jackpot, the money they spent
to help support charitable and community-based initiatives across
playing is going to good use,” says Robinson. “Gaming dollars
the province, from funding public, cultural and athletic events to
from slot machines, vlts, electronic bingo and lottery tickets
building food banks, supporting library programming and
are invested back in Alberta communities. Whether you visit a
supporting seniors’ services.
library, attend a cultural event or utilize seniors’ services, it is
often gaming dollars at work behind the scenes.”
The AGLC is also responsible for overseeing the
manufacturing, importation, sale, purchase, possession,
• Generated $11.5 billion in liquor revenue for Alberta’s General Revenue
Fund to support government programs and priorities that Albertans
rely on every day.
• Supported charities and nonprofits in earning $4.7 billion through
storage, transportation and use of liquor in Alberta. Last year,
charitable gaming activities including bingos, casino events, pull
Alberta’s thriving liquor marketplace provided $766 million
tickets and raffles.
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in revenue that the AGLC transferred to
number of initiatives to promote healthy behaviours
government’s General Revenue Fund to
towards gaming and liquor, including public awareness
support important government priorities that
campaigns around Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder,
Albertans rely on every day.
moderate drinking and responsible gambling
awareness. And just like the staff of Alberta’s
THE AGLC ENSURES THAT ITS PRODUCTS
establishments with liquor licences are required
and services go hand in hand with its high
to have ProServe and ProTect training surrounding
standards of integrity, security and social
responsible liquor sales and service, gaming industry
responsibility and it responds to the social
staff are required to take responsible gambling
impacts of gaming and liquor. To help maintain
courses.
healthy gambling behaviours, the AGLC launched
its GameSense initiative in October 2015 in
For more information, visit our website: aglc.ca
casinos, racing entertainment centres and online
For responsible gambling information, visit:
(GameSenseAB.ca). It’s designed to help
GameSenseAB.ca
people gauge their own gambling habits and
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understand how the games themselves work.
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GameSense kiosks and advisors have been
added to the province’s 24 casinos and four
racing entertainment centres as a place for
patrons to understand the games they play and,
when needed, access resources for problem
gambling behaviours. The online iteration dispels
popular gambling myths, such as “if you play a
slot machine long enough, it will eventually have
a big payout.”
Throughout the year, the AGLC undertakes a
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