11/27/2020
As you are likely aware, on November 24, 2020, the Premier and Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) provided a provincial update on the status of the province’s response to COVID-19. During the update, the Premier declared that the Alberta government has issued a State of Public Health Emergency to effectively manage the province’s response to COVID-19, as well as additional measures that will limit the amount of contact between people in the community, while still allowing businesses to offer services.
Starting November 27, all casinos, racing entertainment centres and bingo venues in regions under government’s enhanced status may remain open with capacity limited to 25 per cent of the occupancy set under the Alberta Fire Code. In addition to changes in occupancy limits, casinos within these enhanced regions will not be authorized to operate table games and only slot games may continue. As a result, table games must close no later than 11:59 p.m. on November 26, 2020.
As table games will be closed in impacted casinos, charitable casino events will be rescheduled at the next available opportunity once table games resume. AGLC will confirm charity attendance with licensed charitable organizations in advance of their scheduled event dates.
Only groups that conducted a casino event in the October – December 2020 quarter prior to table game closures will receive a full pool pay out, including groups that conducted an event on November 26.
Advisor contracts are between the advisor and the charity; however, AGLC supports the payment of advisors for the full two-day event – November 26 and 27, 2020.
Casinos, racing entertainment centres and bingo venues not located within a region under government’s enhanced status may continue regular operations in accordance with Alberta Health guidance. As a result, table games outside of the enhanced status regions will not be impacted. At this time, Stoney Nakoda and Eagle River Casinos are the only two casinos located outside of the enhanced status regions, which is subject to change.
