General
AGLC offices holiday closure

While AGLC offices will be closed from December 24, 2024 to January 1, 2025, a number of services remain available. More information on how to contact us over the holidays is available here.

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Casino

Steps in this section
  1. Eligibility
  2. Applying for a casino licence

  1. Eligibility

    Application process

    Find out:

    • if your group is eligible to apply for casino licensing
    • how to apply for eligibility for casino licensing
    • what happens after you submit an application
    • how long it takes

    Who can apply?

    Charitable groups can apply if their structure and programs follow AGLC policy.

    Things to know before you apply

    An eligible charitable or religious group must:

    • have volunteers from Alberta who create, control and deliver a charitable program
    • have an elected executive chosen from the volunteer members
    • have no paid members
    • have charitable programs that are available to all members of the public who wish to take part
    • be incorporated in a form acceptable to AGLC
    • have bylaws that follow AGLC policy

    These four criteria determine charitable purpose:

    1. relief of poverty
    2. advancement of education
    3. advancement of religion
    4. other purposes beneficial to the community

    For more information on eligibility refer to the Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook.

    Apply

    If your group has not had a casino license before, you must complete this application:

    Documents you will need (this checklist is on the application form to guide you):

    • copy of meeting minutes authorizing the application
    • copy of Incorporation Certificate
    • copy of group's operating bylaws
    • current List of Elected Executive, including addresses and telephone numbers
    • current membership list, including addresses and telephone numbers
    • copy of the last 12 month of financial statements
    • budget for the current year or proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year
    • land title certificate or lease/rental agreement, if you own or rent a facility for your programs

    Fees

    There is no cost to submit an Eligibility for Gaming Licence application.

    How long it takes after you apply

    A complete application for casino licensing will take approximately six weeks to review. If there is any missing information, we will contact you by letter, email or phone call.

    The decision

    AGLC will provide the eligibility decision to you in writing.

    Questions

    Call AGLC to speak to an Eligibility Analyst:

    • 780-447-8600 or toll-free at 1-800-272-8876

    Policies

    The Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook has more information on:

    • legislation and policies
    • general eligibility
    • types of groups that may be eligible
    • using gaming proceeds

  2. Applying for a casino licence

    Casino event: a long way out

    AGLC sends information about casino events to:

    • new groups that AGLC has found eligible
    • groups that have already had a casino event and have requested another event

    AGLC mails information to the casino chairperson about the casino event, including:

    • the quarter and year the casino event will occur
    • the month and year when the schedule for specific casino dates is available
    • instructions about the casino facility/facilities and contact information

    Casino regions

    AGLC assigns groups to casino events within one of 10 designated regions in Alberta. Only licensed groups based in Edmonton or Calgary may have casino events in those cities. AGLC assigns other groups to a different region or specific casino facility.

    Casino event wait times

    Wait times among the 10 casino regions vary from approximately one and a half years to more than three years.

    Casino event: getting closer

    AGLC sends information and instructions:

    • to the casino chairperson
    • five months before the quarter that the group has its event. For example, AGLC sends the information in August for the event in January - March the following year

    Groups must complete these forms and return them to AGLC at least 60 days before the casino event:

    Groups that have a casino event must follow:

    Casino advisors

    Each licensed group pays a casino advisor(s) to help the group with the casino event. The group needs one or two advisors, depending on the location. AGLC registers advisors who make sure the group follows the rules for the event. AGLC gives each group a list of registered advisors. The group selects the advisor(s) it wishes to hire for the event.

    Requesting another casino event

    Not until a group completes a casino event, may it request another event. If the group chooses to continue, the group must complete this application:

    Casino proceeds

    • Groups that had a casino event in the same region and quarter receive an equal share of proceeds.
    • The amount of proceeds varies among regions and quarters.
    • AGLC provides casino proceeds by electronic funds transfer.
    • Groups receive proceeds about six to eight weeks after the end of the quarter that the group had its event. For example, a group that had an event in February will receive money in its casino bank account by mid to late May.
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