The First Nations' Contribution to Alberta's Charitable Gaming Model: Assessing the Impacts

The province of Alberta implemented the First Nations Gaming Policy in 2001, permitting First Nations to construct reserve casinos. A policy provision insisted that First Nations turn over 30 percent of casino gambling revenues to Alberta for use by provincial charities. In the six years since the first reserve casino opened its doors, almost all provincial First Nations continue to lag behind mainstream Alberta society from a socio-economic perspective, while provincial charitable organizations have increasingly come to depend on reserve casino gambling revenues. This research examines the impact of the five provincial First Nations casinos in First Nation communities and the revenues these purported beneficiaries are losing annually through the 30 percent provincial allocation.