Latest news with #AlbertaGaming
Epoch Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Alberta Pauses US Procurement Policy Tied to Tariff Dispute, Citing Diplomacy
Alberta says it's pausing its new U.S. procurements policy that prevents government departments, agencies, school boards, municipalities, and Crown corporations from purchasing goods and services from U.S. companies. In March, the province said it was asking the organizations not to purchase from the United States following U.S. tariff announcements on Canadian products, which Premier Danielle Smith Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said U.S. President Donald Trump has since put a hold on further tariffs and the province has decided to pause its procurement prohibition to pursue diplomacy until the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement (USMCA) is renegotiated. 'In the spirit of diplomacy Alberta has decided to also pause any further escalations,' Nally said in a statement to The Epoch Times. Nally also said the government would continue with its existing ban on new purchases of U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals (VLTs) through the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC). Alberta Opposition NDP critic for jobs, economy and trade, Rhiannon Hoylehas said the government's decision to pause the procurement policy won't help local businesses and demonstrated a lack of leadership. Related Stories 4/10/2025 3/5/2025 'They should be supporting Albertans, supporting Team Canada. Instead, we have this government supporting Team Trump,' she said. The announcement comes after the province launched a buy local campaign to encourage residents to support Alberta-made goods. 'Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products,' Minister of Agriculture R.J. Sigurdson said in an April 14 'The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don't impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.' U.S. tariffs of 25 percent are currently in place on Canadian steel, aluminum, and auto manufacturers, and 10 percent tariffs on energy. Tariffs are not imposed on Canadian imports that are covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement (USMCA). Alberta Tariff Response Alberta announced its response to U.S. tariffs on March 5, saying it was taking U.S. liquor off shelves, following a similar move by other provinces. Smith said she supported the federal government's measures, which put retaliatory tariffs of 25 percent on $30 billion worth of U.S. good, including steel and aluminum. Canada has also announced a 25 percent tariff on non-USMCA compliant vehicles. However, Smith said she was opposed to Ottawa potentially putting tariffs on oil and gas exports to the United States. She citing it as a reason for not signing a joint statement between the federal government and premiers in January on a united response to tariffs. Carolina Avendano and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
CBC
26-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Alberta sets stage for private online gambling companies to operate legally
The Alberta government is preparing to open the province's online gambling market to private companies like Bet365 in a bid to regulate more of the industry and capture revenue currently headed elsewhere. Up until now, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC)-run Play Alberta was the only regulated online gambling website in Alberta. But players could still gamble on the so-called "grey market" — referring to offshore gambling websites like Bet365 and Bodog, that aren't officially licensed by the province but are still accessible to Alberta residents. Proposed legislation tabled today, called the iGaming Alberta Act, would create a new Crown corporation, the Alberta iGaming Corporation, to oversee the new market and put the AGLC in charge of regulation. The goal is to bring more players into a legal system, add consumer protections like self-exclusion tools, and keep gambling revenue in the province rather than lose it to unregulated or offshore sites, according to Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally. The province has said it took inspiration from a model already in place in Ontario. Ontario was the first province to allow a regulated sports betting program in 2022, allowing multiple operators to provide gambling services. "Albertans have said to us, why don't you do the same here? Why don't you put in place safety measures? Why don't you stop the money from leaving the province, and keep some of it in Alberta?" Nally said in an interview. In addition to the "grey market," there's also the "black market," which Nally said includes those websites with no intention of ever becoming legal that will sometimes continue to market to players even should they indicate they have developed an addiction. "To be clear, gambling is never safe, but you can make it safer. And that's what we're going to do," Nally said. The Alberta government had previously passed legislation and held consultations opening the door to the possibility of regulating and overseeing iGaming activities. Player protection and addiction In Ontario, online gaming platforms generated $2.2 billion in total gaming revenue in the second year the market was in operation, according to iGaming Ontario's 2023-2024 annual report. It has also kicked off a debate in that province around whether increased levels of advertising have led to an increase in gambling addictions. "There has been an explosion of … in our view, unregulated ads, which have led to a huge increase in gambling, sports betting and related addictions," Bruce Kidd, co-chair of the Ban Ads for Gambling campaign, told CBC Toronto earlier this month. The province says it can set rules for how registered gambling companies advertise in Alberta, like limiting certain types of promotions. But it's a different matter for ads from companies based in other provinces or countries, especially those shown on national TV or online. "We don't control the advertising, the CRTC does. And so that's part of the challenge that we have, is that iGaming is alive and well," Nally said. Despite its success, some say Ontario's online gambling industry is spiking betting addictions 5 days ago Duration 2:18 In the three years since it's been legalized, Ontario's online gambling industry has "surpassed" expectations, generating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue. But as CBC's Tyler Cheese explains, some experts say the sector is putting the public at risk. Last fall, when Alberta announced it was considering this expansion, David Hodgins, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Calgary and research director with the Alberta Gaming Research Institute, emphasized the need for clear guardrails and policies, particularly around advertising and player protection. Researchers like Hodgins say the whole picture around the implications of Ontario's expansion are still unclear. "We know that the number of calls to the helpline and the number of people who are seeking treatment has increased. So those are indirect ways that we know that there is something to be concerned about," he said in September. "But for something like gambling, it's incredible that we don't have a really good surveillance methodology and ongoing surveillance across the country." Hodgins had identified several ways Alberta could implement stronger guardrails around its online gambling landscape. That would include mandatory pre-commitment limits — requiring players to set a maximum amount of money they're willing to spend before they start gambling. He also called for universal self-exclusion tools that would apply across all gambling platforms. Those tools would allow players to block themselves from all gambling sites and venues at once, not just one. The province said that should the iGaming Alberta Act pass, a central self-exclusion system would be implemented. That would allow Albertans to restrict their participation across all regulated sites, as well as land-based casinos and horse racing facilities with casino elements. Other details around additional guardrails and what revenue splits with operators will be set at will be detailed in the coming months, Nally said. Charities had voiced concern After Alberta initially outlined its plans last year, local charities and traditional casinos voiced concern about a new landscape dominated by iGaming websites. "We think the Ontario model will be very damaging to casinos in Alberta and charities will lose out significantly as a result. We think that's going to be a disaster and they need to take the time to get it right," Michael Thompson, executive director of the Alberta Charitable Casino Operators, said in November. From 2023 to 2024, the province gave $409 million to charities, with $79 million raised by host First Nation charities, according to the AGLC. "I've heard comments that online gaming is going to cannibalize the charities. The fact is, they already are," Nally said. "That money is leaving the province. We're saying, since it's happening, let's have it happen in a safer format than it currently is. And let's keep some of the revenues to stay in the province." The province has estimated that, at present, its Play Alberta website captures around 45 per cent of the market share. In 2023-2024, $235 million was generated through Play Alberta, an increase of $42 million from the year prior.
CBC
14-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
AGLC pauses storage fees for Alberta vendors with U.S. liquor stuck in warehouse
Social Sharing Alberta liquor agencies whose purchased U.S. products are stuck in a warehouse will not be charged storage fees for up to three months, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis said in a bulletin all agents Thursday. Last week, as part of its response to U.S. tariffs, the Alberta government banned imports of American alcohol through AGLC, the Crown corporation that regulates the province's alcohol industry, until further notice. Christopher Walker, owner of Liquid Assets Imports in Calgary, which distributes alcohol to restaurants and retailers, told CBC News on Thursday that U.S. products already purchased by vendors are being held up in a warehouse. The storage comes at a cost, on top of the revenue vendors can't earn while U.S. liquor imports are under a ban, Walker said. "There are millions of dollars that have been seized by the government, of product that belongs to import agencies. It's not the government's money, it's our money," Walker told CBC News before the AGLC issued its bulletin. "It's impossible to make a pivot, in order to reinvest money into other products from other countries, if we can't gain access to it." Later Thursday, AGLC said it is pausing the storage charges for U.S. liquor products that have built up since March 6. The pause will last until June 7, unless the province's restriction on U.S. purchases lifts before then. "During this period, liquor agencies are encouraged to review their U.S. inventory in storage. There are options to remove products from the warehouse, including returns to the liquor supplier," said the bulletin from the AGLC's liquor services administration. CBC News has obtained a copy of the bulletin. For months, U.S. President Donald Trump has been threatening stiff tariffs on Canadian imports — 10 per cent on energy products and 25 per cent on everything else. WATCH | How Alberta is responding to U.S. tariffs: How Alberta is responding to U.S. tariffs 8 days ago Duration 2:07 Trump paused the tariffs until April 2, but only for Canadian goods that comply with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the free trade agreement between the three North American neighbours. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced the ban on imports of American liquor last week as part of the provincial response to Trump's tariff threats. "We'll just have to drink a bit more B.C. wine and Alberta craft beer and spirits — and that's just fine with us," Smith said in announcing the measure at a March 5 news conference. Liquor sales in Alberta are private. Companies buy product from AGLC, and the product is stored in a warehouse until it is delivered to those vendors and distributors. AGLC oversees importation, and pays suppliers for their products after the product is sold to retailers and other licensees. WATCH | Why American booze is still on Alberta shelves: Why American booze is still on Alberta shelves 7 days ago Duration 1:51 Some provinces have pulled American liquor off shelves in response to U.S. tariffs, but Alberta's stock is still on display despite a similar retaliatory measure. The province's system is set up differently than other jurisdictions with Alberta, Liquor Gaming and Cannabis and privately owned liquor stores. As CBC's Travis McEwan reports, consumers will still have the power to choose — for now. AGLC and Connect Logistics Services, a company the Crown corporation contracts to warehouse and distribute alcohol products, are working to implement the change as soon as possible, the bulletin said. Any charges businesses accumulated since March 6 will be credited, it added. An AGLC spokesperson confirmed it sent the bulletin, but directed questions from CBC to Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, the ministry responsible for provincial Crown corporations. In a statement, Brandon Aboultaif, press secretary to Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally, said Trump's latest executive order, which paused the tariffs another month, is unclear about which goods will be tariffed and "what legal forms and requirements will be needed to qualify." Because of that, the province is moving ahead with its tariff response, Aboultaif said. The government recognizes that liquor businesses are facing challenges, and is "continually assessing impacts and exploring solutions" to mitigate impacts on businesses, he said. Aboultaif said affected liquor importers should stay in touch with AGLC. In the meantime, the government will deliver updates as the situation develops, he added. Walker, meanwhile, described the current situation as "a great opportunity" to buy domestic products, or those made in countries other than the U.S. He also said he believes the government should not get to dictate what can or cannot be bought.
CBC
08-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Calgary to consider allowing legal cannabis sales at adults-only events
Social Sharing Cannabis retailers may soon be more common at Calgary events, as city council will soon consider allowing the sale of marijuana products at adults-only events. Ward 11 Coun. Kourtney Penner revealed a notice of motion this week that she'll bring to the city's executive committee on Tuesday, calling on council to allow cannabis to be sold at events where minors aren't allowed. Penner cited events like Badlands Music Festival, Chasing Summer and the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival as examples that could benefit from the decision. On Thursday, Penner told reporters the decision would align Calgary policy with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis rules that were updated a year ago to permit licensed cannabis retailers to set up temporary sales at adults-only events. "What this does is level the playing field between cannabis and alcohol, which are both legal substances," Penner said. "This is really just about enabling business and creating opportunity for businesses that are legally permissible." After a technical review next week, the motion will be debated by city councillors on Feb. 25. Omar Khan, chief communications and public affairs officer for cannabis company High Tide Inc., welcomed the news about Penner's notice of motion. High Tide, which operates 191 stores under the Canna Cabana brand across Canada, has more than 30 locations of the store in Calgary. Opening up legal sales at local festivals would also help the cannabis industry compete with the illicit market, which Khan identifies as a growing problem for the industry. "We know that when you move a legal cannabis store into a neighbourhood that hasn't previously been served, illicit market activity does go down, because most people want to follow the law," Khan said. Some Calgary festivals have already hosted cannabis consumption spaces. Chinook Cannabis organized a place for cannabis to be delivered and consumed at the Badlands Music Festival last year. Meanwhile, the Calgary Folk Music Festival opened its first legal cannabis-consumption area in 2019. Diplomat Consulting president Nathan Mison, who has advocated for legal cannabis sales at Alberta events for years, argues that cannabis sales should be as ubiquitous at such events as alcohol. Even though Alberta changed its provincial policy on the matter a year ago, Mison said he understands the delay for Calgary to catch up is partly due to more pressing matters for a local government to deal with. But the resulting year-long gap meant Calgary could see how cannabis sales worked at events in Edmonton last year. Plantlife Cannabis, for instance, sold its products at Edmonton's own Great Outdoors Comedy Festival last summer. "Sometimes the best thing that can happen when you're looking for big regulatory changes is a sister city like Edmonton went first and it wasn't a disaster. It was pretty much a moot issue that it happened," Mison said. Looking ahead, Mison added that cannabis hospitality overall is an untapped market in Alberta. He imagines future opportunities for restaurants, bars and cafes to offer cannabis products for chefs and mixologists to use either as an inebriant or as a relaxing agent. In the meantime, Mison noted cannabis sales at music and comedy festivals makes sense when it's not uncommon to encounter the substance in these spaces already. "Let's be a little honest with ourselves as well, it's not like cannabis isn't being consumed at events during legalization or previous to legalization," Mison said. "All you're doing is taking this out of the backrooms and back hallways, and putting it right out in front."
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Calgary to consider allowing legal cannabis sales at adults-only events
Cannabis retailers may soon be more common at Calgary events, as city council will soon consider allowing the sale of marijuana products at adults-only events. Ward 11 Coun. Kourtney Penner revealed a notice of motion this week that she'll bring to the city's executive committee on Tuesday, calling on council to allow cannabis to be sold at events where minors aren't allowed. Penner cited events like Badlands Music Festival, Chasing Summer and the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival as examples that could benefit from the decision. On Thursday, Penner told reporters the decision would align Calgary policy with Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis rules that were updated a year ago to permit licensed cannabis retailers to set up temporary sales at adults-only events. "What this does is level the playing field between cannabis and alcohol, which are both legal substances," Penner said. "This is really just about enabling business and creating opportunity for businesses that are legally permissible." After a technical review next week, the motion will be debated by city councillors on Feb. 25. Omar Khan, chief communications and public affairs officer for cannabis company High Tide Inc., welcomed the news about Penner's notice of motion. High Tide, which operates 191 stores under the Canna Cabana brand across Canada, has more than 30 locations of the store in Calgary. Opening up legal sales at local festivals would also help the cannabis industry compete with the illicit market, which Khan identifies as a growing problem for the industry. "We know that when you move a legal cannabis store into a neighbourhood that hasn't previously been served, illicit market activity does go down, because most people want to follow the law," Khan said. Some Calgary festivals have already hosted cannabis consumption spaces. Chinook Cannabis organized a place for cannabis to be delivered and consumed at the Badlands Music Festival last year. Meanwhile, the Calgary Folk Music Festival opened its first legal cannabis-consumption area in 2019. Diplomat Consulting president Nathan Mison, who has advocated for legal cannabis sales at Alberta events for years, argues that cannabis sales should be as ubiquitous at such events as alcohol. Even though Alberta changed its provincial policy on the matter a year ago, Mison said he understands the delay for Calgary to catch up is partly due to more pressing matters for a local government to deal with. But the resulting year-long gap meant Calgary could see how cannabis sales worked at events in Edmonton last year. Plantlife Cannabis, for instance, sold its products at Edmonton's own Great Outdoors Comedy Festival last summer. "Sometimes the best thing that can happen when you're looking for big regulatory changes is a sister city like Edmonton went first and it wasn't a disaster. It was pretty much a moot issue that it happened," Mison said. Looking ahead, Mison added that cannabis hospitality overall is an untapped market in Alberta. He imagines future opportunities for restaurants, bars and cafes to offer cannabis products for chefs and mixologists to use either as an inebriant or as a relaxing agent. In the meantime, Mison noted cannabis sales at music and comedy festivals makes sense when it's not uncommon to encounter the substance in these spaces already. "Let's be a little honest with ourselves as well, it's not like cannabis isn't being consumed at events during legalization or previous to legalization," Mison said. "All you're doing is taking this out of the backrooms and back hallways, and putting it right out in front."
