Barrhead and other rural Alberta communities are losing out because of “discriminatory” curbs on where casino fundraisers can be held.
The claims were made last week by Barrhead County councillors, who want the provincial government to ease its policy.
A letter on the issue was sent last month to Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Maureen Kubinec. Reeve Bill Lee has also expressed concerns to Finance Minister Doug Horner.
Currently, Barrhead holds casinos in St. Albert. The County council, however, argues up to $60,000 more could be raised in other places, such as Edmonton’s Century Casino.
“It is amazing to think how much money rural Alberta is losing because of this policy,” said Lee.
Coun. Bill Lane said councillors should raise the issue with Horner at every available opportunity.
The County council has long complained about casino fundraiser restrictions, describing them as discriminatory to communities like Barrhead.
“One of the most efficient and effective methods of fundraising in Alberta is for an organization to conduct and manage a casino event. Significant funding is provided to our organizations this way and this opportunity for our organizations is appreciated,” Lee said in a letter this year to Horner.
“However, it is often mentioned that there is a disparity in the province as the overall proceeds paid to organizations that conduct and manage casino events throughout Alberta are not at the same funding level.”
Lee said some organizations received substantially more revenues than others because of restrictions on where community groups can hold such fundraisers.
“This, coupled with organizations in some parts of the province having a shorter wait time than others between their casino events, contributes to the inequity of distribution of casino proceeds to eligible organizations throughout the province,” he said.
“It has to be recognized that many, many individuals in the province contribute to casino facilities which are outside of the casino region where a respective individual is located – individuals are not restricted to which casino they patronize.
“Many individuals contributing to the proceeds of a casino facility in the cities are rural residents – these are individuals that reside in communities outside of the boundaries drawn for the casino region where the cities are included.”
Lee said the current policies were discriminatory to organizations and communities in rural Alberta.
Speaking last Thursday, Lee said a fundraiser in Edmonton could raise about $78,000 – compared to $18,000 in St. Albert.
“We are talking about a difference of $60,000,” he said.
He added there was also a three-year wait time between casinos for communities like Barrhead.
A copy of Lee’s letter was sent to Kubinec.
In his reply, Horner, who is president of Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), which licenses, regulates and monitors eligible charities and religious organizations which conduct casino events, said a review of policies was under way.
Horner said AGLC policies stated that organizations should hold fundraisers at the nearest casino within their designated region.
In Barrhead’s case, this meant the Apex Casino in St. Albert.
“I recognize your concerns regarding the variations in wait times between casino events and the casino pool payouts between regions,” Horner said. “In 2010, the government conducted a review of wait times, distribution of proceeds, and volunteer requirements.
“The issues identified in the review were very complex and, as such, the AGLC was asked to conduct further analysis. The work is currently underway and views from stakeholders will be considered as part of the ongoing research.”
Horner said the AGLC and government appreciated the important role charities play in conducting and managing gaming events in the province.
“As Alberta’s charities rely on gaming revenue to support their many worthy causes, it is important that our charitable gaming model continues to serve the best interests of Albertans,” he said.
A copy of Horner’s letter was sent to Kubinec.
