Alberta’s Gamble: Government Cuts Funding to NGOs Amid New Online Gambling Market

_{Alberta’s online gambling expansion comes at a cost to NGOs. (Image: Mario Beauregard Beaustock / Alamy)}

The Alberta gambling market has seen a policy shift towards online casinos by its government, which aims to bring private operators into the gambling market and cut funds to non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) that provide gambling addiction resources.

The move comes following progress in bringing online gambling to the Canadian province.

Funding Cuts a Shock to Executive Director of PRGN 

The cut in funding is expected to have a detrimental impact on the Problem Gambling Resources Network (PRGN), which faces a loss of over $130,000.

The government will cut over $1 million in funding. The decision will impact gambling resource networks and disability advocacy organizations, with one executive director at PRGN stating that the loss of funding might result in the non-profit organization’s closure. 

Ray Reshke, executive director of PRGN, stated, “It was a real shock; we had our rug pulled out from under us a year early. We’re not counsellors, but we do direct people to help resources such as Gamblers Anonymous and Alberta Health Services.

"Over our years of service, we have conducted approximately 10,000 gambling education presentations, reaching around 250,000 people.”

Widespread Cuts to Organisations Tackling Gambling Harms

Alberta Opening iGaming Market to Private Operators  

The Alberta government is advancing its iGaming market, having passed a bill in May 2024 that could be seen as a move to break the existing monopoly held by Play Alberta.

This change is intended to open the doors for multiple private companies, with the goal of combating illegal gambling sites and generating increased revenue for the province.

Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta, noted, “Online gambling will never be a safe activity, but there are ways to make it safer. We have a fiduciary responsibility to prioritize Albertans' safety, and we take that obligation very seriously.”