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- Alberta allocated $2.4 million to Brick House Recovery Centre to expand outpatient and virtual gambling addiction treatment.
- The province will fund responsible gambling programs using 1% of tax revenues generated from regulated iGaming operators.
Alberta has announced about $2.4 million in funding for Brick House Recovery Centre to expand gambling addiction treatment and aftercare services across the province.
The funding will support a flexible outpatient program that includes four weeks of treatment followed by up to eight weeks of individualized aftercare. Services will be available in person in Edmonton and Calgary, and online across Alberta.
Brick House is the first organization selected through Alberta’s new proposal process for gambling addiction services. The province said additional recipients will be chosen later this fall.
Brick House program will combine outpatient care and aftercare
According to the province, the new funding is aimed at broadening access to recovery-focused support for Albertans struggling with gambling-related harm.
Brick House Recovery Centre said the goal is to provide “high-quality, recovery-focused care” for individuals and families affected by gambling addiction. Dr. Lovneet Hayer added that the organization wants to offer “hope, practical support and a path toward lasting recovery.”
Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally said, “Gambling can ruin people’s lives and livelihoods,” adding that support needs to be available for people who are struggling.
Alberta ties long-term funding to iGaming tax revenue
The announcement also shows how Alberta plans to fund responsible gambling measures alongside its regulated iGaming market.
The province said these programs will ultimately be funded through regulated iGaming revenue. Online gambling operators in Alberta are taxed at 20% after deductions that include 2% for First Nations communities and 1% for social initiatives and responsible gambling measures. The province and Alberta iGaming Corporation have estimated $76 million in iGaming tax revenue in the market’s first year.
That makes this funding one of the clearer examples so far of Alberta linking online gambling revenue to treatment and aftercare services as its new market develops.
Albertans seeking help for gambling addiction can also access support through Recovery Alberta and 211 Alberta. More details on other funded organizations are expected later this fall.
Source: As reported by canadiangamingbusiness.com.
