COVID-19 Gaming Q & A

What are the current public health restrictions that impact gaming venues in Alberta (including casinos, bingo halls, racing entertainment centres (RECs) and gaming terminal retailers and lounges)?

The Alberta government announced that the province will progress to Step Two of its three-step approach to lifting public health restrictions on March 1, 2022. More information about the announcement, three-step approach and current public health orders is available at COVID-19 public health actions | Alberta.ca.

Effective March 1, 2022:

Alberta will enter Step Two starting on March 1. At this time, the following measures will be updated:

• Capacity limits are lifted for all venues.
• Limits on indoor and outdoor social gatherings are lifted.
• Restrictions on interactive activities, liquor service and operating hours are lifted.
• Mandatory work from home requirements are lifted.
• The provincial mask mandate is lifted except in high-risk settings, including on public transit, AHS-operated and contracted facilities and all continuing care facilities.

Municipalities may have additional requirements set out through bylaw. Please follow all restrictions that your municipality may have in place.

Step Three

The timeline for Alberta entering Step Three is to be determined and will depend on hospitalization rates continuing to trend downward.

• COVID-specific measures in continuing care will be removed.
• Mandatory isolation becomes a recommendation only.

More information and guidance for businesses and event organizers is available at COVID-19 public health actions | Alberta.ca. Additional details will be added to AGLC.ca as soon as they are available.

How will gaming venues handle patrons wearing masks?
In Step Two, the mandatory provincewide indoor masking requirement is lifted except in high-risk settings. Municipalities may have additional requirements set out through bylaw. Please follow all restrictions that your municipality may have in place. Gaming venue employees can ask patrons to remove their mask to determine age and verify identification otherwise. 

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.

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 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.

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.