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gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge

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<strong>of</strong>ficials even struck a deal with a new corporate partner (Edmonton Journal, 2000). However,<br />

very little action on this front occurred.<br />

In 1999 it appeared that the First Nations cas<strong>in</strong>o process would be <strong>in</strong>def<strong>in</strong>itely stalled with a<br />

moratorium on all prov<strong>in</strong>cial cas<strong>in</strong>o construction. A 20-month review <strong>of</strong> licens<strong>in</strong>g policies<br />

followed <strong>in</strong> response to concerns about unsusta<strong>in</strong>able <strong>in</strong>dustry growth and lobby<strong>in</strong>g by<br />

prov<strong>in</strong>cial groups demand<strong>in</strong>g greater government accountability <strong>of</strong> <strong>gambl<strong>in</strong>g</strong>’s social impact. In<br />

2001, a report conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g 61 recommendations led to the creation <strong>of</strong> new prov<strong>in</strong>cial gam<strong>in</strong>g<br />

policies <strong>in</strong>tended to based on the exist<strong>in</strong>g charitable gam<strong>in</strong>g model.<br />

As part <strong>of</strong> this <strong>in</strong>itiative, prov<strong>in</strong>cial <strong>of</strong>ficials announced a revised First Nations Gam<strong>in</strong>g Policy,<br />

with a different pattern <strong>of</strong> revenue distribution more favourable to First Nations. Under the<br />

new policy, 15% <strong>of</strong> slot-mach<strong>in</strong>e revenue was to be given to the cas<strong>in</strong>o owner, 15% to the host<br />

First Nation (which needed to register as a charitable entity), 30% to the Alberta Lottery Fund,<br />

and 40% to a new First Nation Development Fund (FNDF) that was to be used for the benefit <strong>of</strong><br />

all prov<strong>in</strong>cial First Nations. Table game revenue would be divided between the cas<strong>in</strong>o owner<br />

and the host First Nation charity. The f<strong>in</strong>al Agreement with Alberta First Nations groups was<br />

signed <strong>in</strong> 2004 follow<strong>in</strong>g Alberta/First Nations consensus concern<strong>in</strong>g how the FNDF should<br />

operate. A s<strong>in</strong>gle agreement template was then negotiated and signed by each First Nation.<br />

On 1 March 2002, the cas<strong>in</strong>o build<strong>in</strong>g moratorium was lifted, open<strong>in</strong>g the door to First Nations<br />

applications. A systematic 8-step application process was established for cas<strong>in</strong>o approval<br />

(Appendix G). By 2006 AGLC had received cas<strong>in</strong>o applications from 7 First Nations. The first to<br />

be approved and the first to open was the River Cree Cas<strong>in</strong>o located on the Enoch Cree Nation<br />

(just west <strong>of</strong> Edmonton) on October 26, 2006. This was followed by Cas<strong>in</strong>o Dene on the Cold<br />

Lake First Nation (near Cold Lake) on September 26, 2007, the Grey Eagle Cas<strong>in</strong>o on the Tsuu<br />

T’<strong>in</strong>a First Nation (west side <strong>of</strong> Calgary) on December 19, 2007, the Eagle River Cas<strong>in</strong>o and<br />

Travel Plaza on the Alexis Nakota First Nation (near Whitecourt) on January 31, 2008, and the<br />

Stoney Nakoda Enterta<strong>in</strong>ment Resort on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation (near Morley) on June<br />

10, 2008. Paragon Gam<strong>in</strong>g was a partner <strong>in</strong> the development <strong>of</strong> the River Cree Cas<strong>in</strong>o and the<br />

Eagle River Cas<strong>in</strong>o. Sonco Gam<strong>in</strong>g was a partner <strong>in</strong> the development <strong>of</strong> the Grey Eagle Cas<strong>in</strong>o.<br />

74

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