Gambling revenue in Alberta, Canada increased by $4 million in 2018 after two consecutive years of declines, according to the new annual report from Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis. The increase primarily is attributed to growth in VLTs, said AGLC spokesperson Chara Goodings. She said about 900 licensed establishments offer the games, compared to casino-style slots in 28 locations. Goodings added, “VLTs do a better job of capturing the changes in the economy because they are more widespread throughout the province and more of an interest to the younger demographic.”
The report stated combined 2018 revenue from VLTs, casino slot machines and electronic bingo was $1.736 billion for the fiscal year, up from $1.732 billion in 2017, a record low for Alberta lottery revenue. VLT revenue rose 1.9 percent and electronic bingo revenue grew by 0.4 per cent; casino revenue fell by 0.6 percent. The peak high in provincial gambling revenue was $1.906 billion in 2015; that dropped for the next two years due to the economic slowdown.
Revenue from VLTs, slot machines and electronic bingo, minus related expenses, plus Alberta’s share of income from the Western Canada Lottery Corporation, is directed annually to the Alberta Lottery Fund. The 2018 total was just over $1.4 billion. The funds go to health care, schools, cultural and tourism programs, First Nations Development Fund, social services, highway maintenance, agricultural services and provincial parks.
Excluded is revenue from charitable gaming, including casino table games, bingo, pull tickets and raffles. Those proceeds totaled $331.2 million in 2018, compared to $336.2 million in 2017.
