Support Group Funding May Return As Alberta Rolls Ahead On Regulation Track

The Problem Gambling Resources Network refuses to go away quietly.

Reports in early February had the Alberta government planning to yank the non-profit organization’s funding, which went toward supporting people dealing with (as the name implies) problem gambling.

At the time, Recovery Alberta spokeswoman Jessica Conlin was quoted as saying “these funds are being reallocated to focus on front-line delivery of services to directly support Albertans in their pursuit of recovery. At any time, Albertans can call the Addiction and Mental Health Helpline to connect with trained professionals for access to services.”

“These funds” were apparently $130,000, and even in a province with an entire ministry devoted to the cutting of red tape, that’s not much money.

Funding Cut Was A Shock

The Problem Gambling Resources Network has been around since 1993, providing support through a phone line and a drop-in centre that hosted meetings of Gamblers Anonymous.

Last month, Ray Reshke, the network’s executive director, said the funding cut “was a real shock. We had our rug pulled out from under us a year early. We’re not counselors, but we do direct people to resources for help, like Gamblers Anonymous or Alberta Health Services.”

But then, an interview with a network spokesperson was abruptly cancelled an hour before it was scheduled to take place, and a source told Odds Shark a proposal had been put in front of the minister for a revised PGRN operation, and for funding to be reinstated.

Red Tape Cut In Half

For most people interested in the online sports gambling industry, any mention of Alberta usually leads to more speculation about when the province is going to join Ontario in being a regulated jurisdiction.

And while we’re sort of on the topic of red tape, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Corporation said it has cut it in half through the elimination of regulations found to be redundant, adding up to savings of $89.2 million CDN ($60.6 million U.S.) in the gaming, liquor and cannabis sectors.

Specific to gaming, an AGLC statement said it’s done away with almost 2,500 rules that applied to casinos, including relaxing rules on table games.

“This achievement highlights Alberta’s position as a national leader in reducing red tape and fostering a business-friendly environment,” said a statement from Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction. “By cutting unnecessary regulatory burdens, we’re empowering industries to grow, innovate, and contribute to Alberta’s economy. This is just one example of our government’s commitment to supporting businesses, creating jobs, and ensuring Alberta remains a competitive and thriving place to do business.”

Close to Joining Ontario?

Most observers feel Alberta is close to implementing a regulated igaming system that, like Ontario’s since 2022, will open the sports betting market to operators from the private sector, joining AGLC’s Play Alberta. 

Many operators are preparing for that step, and Nally has said the rollout will likely be fall 2025. 

Of course he has also said it would be spring 2025.

Recently he has not said much.

Private operators are licking their chops because of the size of the Alberta market. 

As of now, Play Alberta is the only place to make legal bets, which have totaled more than five billion dollars in less than five years, through more than 313,000 registered player accounts.

CGA Watching Closely

Among those keeping a close eye on Alberta is Paul Burns, the president and CEO of the Canadian Gaming Association.

Burns recently attended the International Casinos Exhibition (now known as ICE to reflect the fact the event has evolved to deal with issues across the world of gaming), this year held in Barcelona.

Last year, ICE was in London, and it was there that Minister Nally announced that Alberta would (some day) be open to a regulated igaming market. 

“I talked to a lot of people who are still interested in looking at supplying, even operating, in the Canadian market. There’s always interest,” Burns said during a podcast appearance. “Alberta could very likely be the only new jurisdiction in North America this year. There are some promising signs in some other parts of the U.S., but Alberta’s moving forward. So, there’s a lot of interest and I’m learning more about what it’s going to look like.

“Adding Alberta to the mix helps Ontario, and it will help other provinces get closer to making decisions, to begin to take the steps to fully regulate their market,” Burns said. “I think that’s encouraging, and that’s why we are working with the folks in Alberta to make sure that they have the information they need to market for the decisions they need to make.”