The proposed relocation of Camrose Resort Casino by Capital City Casinos has garnered support from Westlock County in Alberta, which is urging the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) to reconsider its decision to reject the move to South Edmonton. At a recent meeting, Westlock County councillors voted unanimously to send a letter to the AGLC in advance of the May 10 appeal of the September 2021 decision. The letter will also be forwarded to Finance Minister Travis Toews, area MLAs Glenn van Dijken and Shane Getson, the Town of Westlock and municipalities within the Pembina Zone of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
During the presentation, county inter-governmental advisor Jared Shaigec highlighted the issue of wait times for funding and revenue numbers for urban charities, which the RMA and AGLC reports had found to be significantly advantageous. While CAO Tony Kulbisky acknowledged that there were many organizations in the county that relied on casino revenue, he emphasized the importance of creating an equitable provincial gaming model. Counc. Jared Stitsen echoed this sentiment, stating that the council had an obligation to address the concerns of local organizations and community halls that rely on gambling revenue.
Woodlands County also expressed its support for the relocation in February 2023, citing the impact that the AGLC’s decision would have on non-profit organizations that rely on casino revenue for funding. Community services coordinator Heather Anderson emphasized the long wait times as a reason for backing the move.
In the meantime, New Star Capital hosted a two-day open house to discuss the topic of relocation, where the company claimed that four of the five points of the AGLC’s rejection go against the regulator’s information. The operator is hopeful that it will gain more support for the relocation and plans to send letters to the regulator.