First Nations Gaming
The Alberta government is committed to ensuring that the province’s
First Nations have an opportunity to participate in the gaming industry
as a means to improve economic conditions in their communities. Like
traditional casinos, all First Nations casinos are subject to the
Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission’s eight-step
application process. The policy stipulates that the First Nations
community must have a prominent role in determining whether casinos
are introduced to the community.
Alberta currently has five First Nations casinos. On June 10, 2008,
the Stoney Nakoda Casino on Stoney Nakoda First
Nation (near Morley) opened, preceded by the January 31, 2008 opening
of Eagle River Casino and Travel Plaza in Whitecourt
and the December 19, 2007 opening of Tsuu T’ina First Nations’ Grey
Eagle Casino, located just west of Calgary. Three months
prior, on September 26, 2007, Cold Lake First Nations’ Casino
Dene opened. River Cree Resort and Casino on
the Enoch Cree Nation, west of Edmonton, opened on October 26, 2006.
Pre-existing applications for two other First Nations’ casinos
are in varying stages of review, according to the AGLC’s Eight-Step
Application Process for New Licensed Casino Facilities.
For more information, visit the following links:
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