COVID-19 Gaming Q & A

How do the new restrictions announced on September 3 impact gaming venues in Alberta?
Effective Saturday, September 4, at 8 a.m., there is a mandatory provincewide indoor masking requirement. This applies to locations where a business or entity operates and is applicable to employees, visitors and the general public.

Restaurants, lounges and cafés that have Class A licences within gaming facilities are required to cease liquor sales by 10 p.m. Premises may remain open however no liquor service may be provided as per public health orders.

There are no current public health restrictions on capacity or distancing and facilities may lift restrictions on capacity, distancing, barriers and entertainment (e.g., pool tables, live music, etc.) at their discretion.

Licensees must comply with AGLC liquor and gaming policies.

General information on current restrictions can be found here https://alberta.ca/covid-19-public-health-actions.aspx.

Relevant Public Health Orders (Order 40-2021) can be found here https://alberta.ca/covid-19-orders-and-legislation.aspx.

How will gaming venues handle patrons wearing masks?
Effective Saturday, September 4, at 8 a.m., there is a mandatory provincewide indoor masking requirement. This applies to locations where a business or entity operates and is applicable to employees, visitors and the general public.

Patrons can temporarily drop their mask for facial recognition for security and surveillance reasons.

Are there specific hours of operation gaming venues should follow?
Gaming venues have the flexibility to decide if they will re-establish their full operating hours or reduce their hours. Check the venue’s website for their hours of operation.

When did charitable casino events resume?
Charitable casino events were able to resume once most casino facilities and table games reopened on June 10, 2021. Please check the venue’s website for their hours of operation.

When can charities expect to be rescheduled for casino events?
AGLC Casino Licensing is rescheduling groups for casino events and will contact groups directly. Casino event inquiries may be directed to Licensing.Casino@aglc.ca.

Proceeds from events in June 2021 will be included as part of the charity pool proceeds for the next quarter (July to September 2021). There will be one pooling period from June 10 through to October 1, 2021.

Will casinos have the option to adjust handpays?
Handpay levels will remain as they have been since June 2020. However, AGLC is looking at offering an alternate set of lower thresholds and will be seeking industry feedback. Please watch for a brief survey in the coming days.

Is there financial support for gaming venues?
We recognize the impact this mandatory closure may have on businesses and their employees. As the gaming regulator, AGLC is not in a position to offer compensation; there are online resources to provincial and federal supports for employers, for which Canada’s gaming industry is eligible:    

• Provincial supports for businesses
• Federal supports for businesses: the 2021 federal budget outlines a $12 billion plan to extend key COVID-19 business programs and supports, including:
  • federal wage and rent subsidies and lockdown supports, originally set to expire in June, will now be available through September.
  • extending the EI sickness benefit from 15 to 26 weeks.
  • extending wage and rent subsidies until September 25, 2021, with potential to extend until November 20, 2021.

Can bingo halls offer remote participation for bingo events?
Yes. Streaming through YouTube, bingo halls are able to conduct real-time online bingo events. Players are able to pre-order and purchase their bingo cards by phone or in-person, and cards will be available for pick up at the hall.

Bingo operators interested in hosting media bingo events should contact AGLC’s Compliance Branch and use the standard rules of play developed between Bingo Alberta and AGLC’s Regulatory Services Division.

Is there a specific number of events a bingo hall needs to offer?
At the discretion of the bingo association, bingo halls have the flexibility to decide if they will 
re-establish their full operating hours or reduce operating hours. If hours of operation, days of operation or the number of events held in a week changes, please notify AGLC by email at Inspections.Mailbox@aglc.ca.

When did charitable casino events resume?
Charitable casino events were able to resume once most casino facilities and table games reopened on June 10, 2021. Please check the venue’s website for their hours of operation.

When can charities expect casino events to be rescheduled?
AGLC Casino Licensing is rescheduling groups for casino events and will contact groups directly. Casino event inquiries may be directed to Licensing.Casino@aglc.ca.

Proceeds from events in June 2021 will be included as part of the charity pool proceeds for the next quarter (July to September 2021). There will be one pooling period from June 10 through to October 1, 2021.

How are charitable gaming proceeds eligible to be used? 
Charitable proceeds are intended for eligible charitable purposes. AGLC works directly with charitable groups to support charitable program delivery. The Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook includes a wide range of eligible purposes for use in direct charitable program delivery, such as equipment, donations, emergencies, travel, wages, etc.

Are there any changes to how charitable gaming proceeds may be used during the COVID-19 crisis?
AGLC recognizes that charitable groups may need expanded use of proceeds temporarily in order to maintain key charitable programs while addressing impacts of the crisis. The following uses are eligible without the requirement for prior approval normally required for these requests: 

• Facility: groups that normally use a maximum 50 per cent use from gaming proceeds may use 100 per cent for operating expenses.
• Wages/Salaries: groups may use gaming proceeds for any positions that provide charitable or administrative services, even if the group is not able to carry out normal operations during the crisis.
• Charities may use gaming proceeds to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) to their members for gaming events; however, prior to purchasing PPE, charities should contact their respective bingo or casino facility to determine what equipment may be made available to them.
• Emergency Assistance: groups may use gaming proceeds to assist members or individuals who are facing serious circumstances. 
• Donations: groups may use gaming proceeds for donations to other licensed groups or non-licensed groups to assist with charitable purposes. If the donation is made outside Alberta or Canada, AGLC staff are available to provide prior approval upon submission of the Request to Donate Proceeds Outside Alberta along with the Statutory Declaration and Recipient Agreement forms. 
• Canadian Red Cross: groups may use gaming proceeds for emergency purposes relating to COVID-19 anywhere in the world if the proceeds are provided directly to the Canadian Red Cross.
• Aid of the Distressed: groups may use gaming proceeds for programs and services that address issues of social concern such as poverty, mental or physical illness, or disability. 
• Case by case: upon request, gaming proceeds may be considered for other uses not included above. Inquiries may be directed to Gaming.UseofProceeds@aglc.ca with the subject line: COVID-19 UOP Request. AGLC staff are operating remotely and responses to requests may be delayed. We thank you in advance for your patience.
   

Can our group have an online raffle?
Only eligible organizations currently registered with AGLC may obtain a raffle licence. More information can be found here.

Can we conduct the draw if there are no members of the public available to witness the draw?
Yes.  If members of the public are unavailable to attend a draw, or if the draw cannot be conducted in a public space, groups may still conduct the draw(s) with these requirements: video and voice record the draw (using a cell phone is acceptable), and document the names and contact information of the individuals present. Prior approval is not required.

Can our group cancel its raffle or extend the draw date(s)?
A group may cancel its raffle or extend its draw date by completing the Raffle Amendments Draw Date Extension Request or Changes form and submitting it to AGLC at Gaming.Licensing@aglc.ca.