Host First Nation casinos

Host First Nation casinos are on reserve land and use their gaming proceeds for charitable and religious programs that benefit their community.

Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC) licenses Host First Nation charities to conduct casino events within designated First Nation casinos. Charities then use the gaming proceeds on charitable and religious activities, in accordance with the Host First Nation Charitable Casino Policies Handbook that has been developed to meet their unique community needs.

Who are the Host First Nations

There are currently five Host First Nations casinos operating in Alberta on reserve land:

Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino (Stoney Nakoda First Nation, Morley)
Eagle River Casino & Travel Plaza (Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Whitecourt)
Grey Eagle Resort & Casino (Tsuut’ina First Nation, Calgary)
Casino Dene (Cold Lake First Nation, Cold Lake)
River Cree Resort & Casino (Enoch Cree Nation, Enoch)

Each casino has a designated licensed charity:

Mini Thni Foundation for Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino
Northern Isga Foundation for Eagle River Casino & Travel Plaza
Dit’onik’odza Charities Ltd. for Grey Eagle Resort & Casino
Dene Ts’edi Society for Casino Dene
Me’chet Charities Ltd. for River Cree Resort & Casino

Host First Nation casino funds

Casino funds are used for charitable and religious programs that directly benefit the Host First Nation’s community, such as:

Community safety programs
Cultural events
Education
Elders/seniors support
Medical/health aid
Life skills training
Housing and infrastructure
Other available funding includes:
- Alberta Lottery Fund and Culture grants
- Host First Nation Development Fund