gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge

Some of these sentiments tend to support fairly well established facts (e.g., gambling’s benefit
to charity, issues with problem gambling, potential for economic leakage, regressivity of
gambling, low-skilled nature of casino employment). However other opinions are reflective of
more ‘popular’ or ‘stereotypic’ notions of gambling that tend to lack an evidentiary base (e.g.,
VLTs much worse than slot machines, government ‘addicted to gambling’, gambling as an
economic catalyst, strong association of gambling with crime). Yet other opinions were simply
incorrect (e.g., lack of transparency concerning how government gambling revenue is
distributed).
Even though these sentiments do not perfectly align with the evidence, they are very valuable
for 3 reasons. First, they illustrate the main beliefs of the primary community representatives.
Second, they provide clearer support of some impacts that were not clearly established in the
aggregate statistical data (e.g., more visitors are stopping in Whitecourt, Camrose, Red Deer;
the casino is the cornerstone of economic expansion in Camrose). Third, they identify issues
that would not have been otherwise identified (e.g., casino fundraising negatively impacting the
community presence of charities; good relations and communication between police and casino
security; the minimal impact on infrastructure in most cases).
Impacts of Legal Gambling on First Nations
First Nations casinos have generated significant revenue for First Nations communities
beginning in 2006. Aggregate revenue from ‘charity hosting’ and First Nation Development
Fund grants has been over $20 million in 2006/2007, $85 million in 2007/2008, $153 million in
2008/2009, and $158 million in 2009/2010. These are necessarily low estimates - the exact
figures are unknown due to the unidentified amounts retained in the casino ownership
partnerships First Nations have with private companies. The largest single source of gambling
revenue derives from the First Nation Development Fund.
The vast majority of this revenue comes from non-Aboriginal people, primarily residents of
Calgary and Edmonton. This represents a reversal of a historic trend whereby a
disproportionate amount of money from Aboriginal communities was being spent in the
neighbouring non-Aboriginal municipalities.
Gambling revenue represents a significant influx of new money for Alberta First Nations.
However, it is not equally distributed. The 5 First Nations that host a casino have received the
large majority of this revenue. Within these 5 communities the Enoch Cree and Tsuu T’ina First
Nations have benefited considerably more than the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Cold Lake First
Nations, and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations due to the fact that their casinos are proximate to
Edmonton and Calgary respectively. Non-host First Nations have received relatively little
benefits, with gambling revenue from the FNDF only adding 2.3% above average First Nation
band budgets. Urban Aboriginals have a limited share in these benefits.
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