Casinos in Alberta - Alberta Gambling Research Institute - University ...
Casinos in Alberta - Alberta Gambling Research Institute - University ...
Casinos in Alberta - Alberta Gambling Research Institute - University ...
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Cas<strong>in</strong>o Edmonton (Edmonton)<br />
7055 Argyll Road<br />
Edmonton, AB<br />
T6C 4A5<br />
(780) 463-9467<br />
CASINO WEBSITE:<br />
http://www.cas<strong>in</strong>oabs.com/<br />
SIZE: 60,000-square-feet<br />
(approximately)<br />
TABLE GAMES: 23*<br />
SLOT MACHINES: 761*<br />
POKER ROOM: YES (13)<br />
AMENITIES: Piano bar, d<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
room, lounges.<br />
OTHER:<br />
Cas<strong>in</strong>o ABS has approximately<br />
1800 total employees.<br />
* <strong>Alberta</strong> Gam<strong>in</strong>g and Liquor<br />
Commission figures as listed <strong>in</strong> Canadian<br />
Gam<strong>in</strong>g News, Dec. 2005 / Jan. 2006.<br />
DESCRIPTION<br />
Cas<strong>in</strong>o ABS is located on the south side of the City of Edmonton and is<br />
one of four <strong>Alberta</strong> cas<strong>in</strong>os privately owned by Cas<strong>in</strong>o ABS.<br />
HISTORY<br />
Cas<strong>in</strong>o Edmonton opened <strong>in</strong> 1986 and was previously known as Cas<strong>in</strong>o<br />
ABS South. Cas<strong>in</strong>o ABS is owned by He<strong>in</strong>z Oldach and has been<br />
runn<strong>in</strong>g charitable <strong>Cas<strong>in</strong>os</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Alberta</strong> s<strong>in</strong>ce 1973. Oldach began his<br />
bus<strong>in</strong>ess career as general manager of the carnival rides arm of Acme.<br />
When he was 28, Oldach and Acme colleague Harry Nash bought the<br />
carnival company, added new rides, and, <strong>in</strong> 1973, <strong>in</strong>corporated <strong>Alberta</strong><br />
B<strong>in</strong>go Supplies Ltd. (hence the name ABS).<br />
OWNERSHIP & MANAGEMENT<br />
Cas<strong>in</strong>o Edmonton is privately owned by He<strong>in</strong>z Oldach’s Cas<strong>in</strong>o ABS<br />
(<strong>Alberta</strong> B<strong>in</strong>go Supplies, Ltd.). ABS was <strong>in</strong>corporated 1973 and is<br />
Canada’s oldest cas<strong>in</strong>o operator and largest operator <strong>in</strong> the Prov<strong>in</strong>ce of<br />
<strong>Alberta</strong>. Cas<strong>in</strong>o ABS owns four cas<strong>in</strong>os plus a 25% share <strong>in</strong> the Royal<br />
City Star Riverboat Cas<strong>in</strong>o <strong>in</strong> New Westm<strong>in</strong>ster, B.C. SOURCE:<br />
Conversation with Barry Pritchard (October 19 th , 2004).<br />
RECENT EVENTS<br />
In October, 2006, the River Cree Resort and Cas<strong>in</strong>o opened on the<br />
Enoch reserve just west of the City of Edmonton. In November, 2006,<br />
the Century Cas<strong>in</strong>o and Hotel opened <strong>in</strong> northeast Edmonton.<br />
On July 1, 2005, a ban on smok<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> bars, cas<strong>in</strong>os and b<strong>in</strong>go halls <strong>in</strong><br />
the City of Edmonton came <strong>in</strong>to effect.<br />
COMPETITION<br />
Cas<strong>in</strong>o Edmonton operates <strong>in</strong> competition with four exist<strong>in</strong>g traditional<br />
Edmonton cas<strong>in</strong>os, one Edmonton rac<strong>in</strong>o, and a First Nation cas<strong>in</strong>o on<br />
the Enoch reserve just west of the city limits. A seventh competitor is<br />
located <strong>in</strong> St. Albert, a city adjacent to Edmonton.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to newspaper <strong>in</strong>terviews with Barry Pritchard, vicepresident<br />
of parent company ABS Cas<strong>in</strong>o is not concerned that<br />
proposals for new cas<strong>in</strong>os <strong>in</strong> north Edmonton and the Enoch reserve<br />
will take away their customers. "We're pretty established. We have<br />
been <strong>in</strong> that location for nearly 20 years as a cas<strong>in</strong>o."<br />
Cas<strong>in</strong>o ABS is at its regulated limit of four cas<strong>in</strong>os across <strong>Alberta</strong>.<br />
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:<br />
Cas<strong>in</strong>o ABS web site<br />
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