Policy Amendment – Host First Nation – Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook Alignment

November 22, 2022

This bulletin is to advise all Host First Nation facility licensees, charities and registered gaming workers of IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS to the Host First Nation Charitable Casino Policies Handbook. The following policies are effective November 22, 2022.

• In keeping with Government of Alberta red tape reduction initiatives, these amended policies include changes that provide industry stakeholders with increased flexibility and efficiency in running their operations:
  • Section 1 – Definitions: The addition of definitions to provide for more clarity for HFN charities. Examples include definitions of “scholarship” and “bursary”.
  • Section 2 – Eligibility: Changes include minor wording changes also seen in the CGPH. These amendments include:
    • clarifying that a charity’s use of proceeds must comply with the specific use of proceeds policy; and
    • simplifying the wording where charities must notify AGLC when it comes to changes to a charity’s structure or operations.
  • Section 3 – Charity Workers: Changes include the following:
    • combining positions in the count room to reflect changes that are being made in the CTCOG that will provide greater flexibility to combine positions in the count room.
    • removing the two year expiry for charity worker registrations to align with Casino Terms & Conditions and Operating Guidelines (CTCOG) policy which does not specify a term limit for registrations; and
  • Section 6 – General Use of Proceeds: Proposed changes would provide more clarity and reflect current financial procedures by:
    • clarifying what cost-recovery means for charitable programs that generate or received revenue;
    • simplifying policy to reflect current procedures regarding deposited proceeds; and
    • adding policy regarding related party transactions (e.g., fair market value, full disclosure to membership).
  • Section 7 – Specific Use of Proceeds: The proposed changes in this section include the following:
    • increasing the percentage of gaming proceeds that can be spent on administrative expenses to 20 per cent from 10;
    • removing the requirement for charities to submit a Statutory Declaration form for donations;
    • increasing the maximum contribution to an endowment fund to 50 per cent from 10; and
    • updating wording pertaining to endowment funds, lobbying, promotional activities and senior’s programs and activities to streamline and enhance clarity.

The amended Host First Nation Charitable Casino Policies Handbook may be accessed on AGLC’s website at aglc.ca. Additional information regarding AGLC’s commitment to a modern regulatory environment that supports consumer choice, innovation and economic growth can be found on AGLC’s website at aglc.ca/modernization.

Please familiarize yourself with the amended policies, update your Host First Nation Charitable Casino Policies Handbook as required, and ensure all affected staff are notified of the new requirement(s).

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact AGLC’s Regulatory Services Division or call AGLC Hotline at 1-800-561-4415.