gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge

WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING?
The final step in determining the groups/sectors most likely impacted by gambling is to
determine the immediate recipients of gambling revenue and how this revenue is subsequently
disbursed.
Immediate Recipients
Figure 27 illustrates the magnitude of net gambling revenue received (after prizes but before
expenses) for the 3 groups that directly receive this revenue: the horse racing industry,
community groups or ‘charities’, and the provincial government. As demonstrated, charity
groups were the primary recipients of net gambling revenue until 1987, at which point
provincial government revenue started to match charity revenue due to the introduction of
provincial instant win tickets and the increased popularity of provincial lottery tickets. This
parity continued until 1993. Beginning in 1994 provincial government revenue rapidly
outpaced charity revenue due to the introduction of VLTs, and then slot machines. The
provincial government is now the direct recipient of approximately 83% of all gambling
revenue.
Figure 27: Proportion of Total Net Alberta Gambling Revenue Directly Received as a function of Year by
Major Sector (in 2010 dollars). 56
$3,000,000,000
$2,500,000,000
$2,000,000,000
$1,500,000,000
$1,000,000,000
$500,000,000
56 Note: this does not include the approximately $3 - $5 million the provincial government also receives annually
in charitable licence fees.
$0
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
Horse Racing Industry Charity Groups Provincial Government
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