gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge

1924 Criminal Code amendment to s.986 to indicate that an automated machine (‘slot machine’) that
produces uncertain outcomes is deemed to be a contrivance for playing a game of chance and
therefore the premises in which it is located is deemed to be an illegal common gaming house.
1927 Revised Criminal Code
Alberta enacts the ‘Slot Machine Act’ banning automated machines that provided potential
monetary prizes or something intended to be exchanged for money, regardless of whether the
machine also provided goods (e.g., gum) or services (e.g., music). (This latter condition was
intended to prohibit slot machines that tried to circumvent the law by also providing goods or
services). The Slot Machine Act 1924
Alberta prohibits the operation of any gambling device in areas where beer is licensed to be kept,
sold, and consumed (alcohol prohibition in Alberta is repealed in this same year). Government
Liquor Control Act of Alberta 1924
1925 Alberta prohibits anyone under age 18 from visiting any place where any gambling device exists.
The Child Welfare Act 1925
Criminal Code amended (s.236) to allow ‘lottery schemes’ (including wheel of fortune) at
agricultural fairs and exhibitions. 1927 Revised Criminal Code
1930s Gambling starts achieving a small degree of respectability due to a) bingo being regularly
offered by certain religious and charitable groups; b) ‘gambling’ now being available in the
form of various types of carnival games at midways at agricultural fairs and exhibitions (e.g.,
wheel of fortune; target games involving shooting or throwing darts, coins, balls or hoops);
and the c) increased overall participation in these religious/charitable/agricultural offered
forms of gambling, particularly by demographic groups that had relatively little previous
involvement (e.g., women). This greater tolerance led to several private bills being
introduced into the House of Commons proposing a legal lottery. However, these bills were
defeated as there was still a strong sentiment that lotteries potentially undermined work
ethic, as they were an attempt to get by chance what should be earned by hard work (a
position supported by Protestant & Anglican churches, women’s groups, employers, and
business owners (who felt that gambling diverted money from their businesses)).
Horse race betting (both legal on-site and illegal off-track) continues its popularity. ‘Social
clubs’ that provide opportunities to gamble between individuals (primarily on card games)
are common. Although more discreet, illegal slot machines are increasingly common in
some locations, as are bookies to take sports bets and/or off-track horse racing. Illegal
sweepstakes and foreign lotteries more openly thrive (e.g., Irish Sweepstakes). Across
Canada, organized crime becomes more involved in providing illegal forms of gambling
(especially following the repeal of alcohol prohibition, as alcohol provision had been an
important source of revenue for organized crime).
1938 Criminal Code amended (s.168) to clarify that a place is not a ‘common gaming house’ if:
It is ‘occasionally’ used by charitable or religious groups and the proceeds from the games go to
charitable or religious causes.
It is used by a ‘bona fide social club’ and the owner of the establishment does not financially gain
from the gambling and if the fee for participating is less than 10 cents an hour or 50 cents a day.
1940s Many trends from the 1930s continue into the 1940s. There is increased availability of legal
forms of gambling as well as participation in both legal and illegal forms. There is also
continued societal ambivalence about gambling, although polls show that most people
favour a legal lottery.
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