Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) has launched a new pilot program at several casinos in the province that in some cases allows casino guests to order alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The AGLC shared the opportunity to extend liquor service directly with facility operators. An AGLC spokesperson told Canadian Gaming Business that an aim of the change is to allow casinos to extend their liquor service hours to match the hours of their slot operations, giving casino and racing entertainment centres increased flexibility to provide players with the chance to enjoy continued hospitality service as they play.
So, some facilities may be able to offer 24-hour liquor service if they also offer 24-hour slot machine gaming.
The trial began on July 1 and will run for six months at 13 casinos:
- Ace Casinos Airport Calgary
- Ace Casino Blackfoot Calgary
- Cash Casino Red Deer
- Century Casino Edmonton
- Deerfoot Inn & Casino Calgary
- Great Northern Casino Grande Prairie
- Grey Eagle Casino Calgary area
- PURE Casino Calgary
- PURE Casino Edmonton
- PURE Casino Lethbridge
- PURE Casino Yellowhead Edmonton
- River Cree Edmonton area
- Rivers Casino Fort McMurray
AGLC will assess the results of the pilot program once it ends and decide whether or not to further implement 24/7 alcohol service in casinos on an extended basis.
The casinos involved must take measures to help ensure patron safety, including limiting liquor service only to areas where gaming activity is taking place, keeping incident logs between midnight and 9 a.m and prohibiting off-sales during the extended hours.
Operators are required to uphold strong responsible consumption and gambling policies, with ProServe, ProTect and DealUsIn staff all on site during hours of service.
“Extended liquor service hours is not new in Alberta,” the spokesperson added to CGB. “AGLC regularly considers extended service hours for major international sporting events or for major community events. Alberta also allows 24-hour liquor service in licensed airport restaurants and lounges.”
Alberta allows casinos to buy American again
In other recent Alberta casino news, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Dale Nally announced on June 6 that the provincial government was ending the prohibition on purchasing U.S. gaming equipment, as well as alcohol.
Alberta and other provinces halted the purchase of some American-made casino equipment in March amid the tariff war between the U.S. and Canada.
AGLC lifted the suspension on the purchase of all gaming terminals, including both VLTs and slot machines, from U.S.-based suppliers. However, the Alberta government is still encouraging residents and businesses in the province to support local producers.
“The decision sets the stage for more constructive negotiations ahead of a Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement renewal, potentially leading to increased trade opportunities and economic growth for Alberta,” Nally told reporters at the time.
“Prime Minister Mark Carney has made a clear effort to reset the relationship with the U.S. administration, and Alberta’s government supports this approach. We are focused on highlighting Alberta’s role as a responsible and collaborative trading partner and will continue working alongside other provinces to advocate for a tariff-free relationship.”
