Alberta Cuts Funding to Problem Gambling Group as Province Courts Open Market

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party (UCP) government has cancelled funding for a non-profit that provides education and resources to Albertans experiencing the impacts of gambling addiction. Without that funding, Edmonton-based Problem Gambling Resources Network (PGRN) may have to close, Ray Reshke, its executive director, told Jack Farrell of The Canadian Press (CP).

Reshke said that in January, the government informed PGRN it was cancelling its three-year contract early and pulling the nearly $130,000 in annual funding. Reshke told Farrell that the Network had received government funding since 1993. “Having the rug pulled out,” he added, was “a real shock.”

The move comes as Alberta—following Ontario’s lead—prepares to open its online gambling market to commercial operators.

Reshke said that without the government’s contribution, which comprises 95% of PGRN’s annual budget, funding will run out by the end of February.

Fundraising is a challenge for gambling-focused organizations, Reshke added, due to pre-conceived notions of gambling.

People don’t like to provide money to gamblers.

Cuts put PGRN’s problem gambling advocacy at risk

According to Reshke, PGRN—which operates a drop-in centre and helpline—is one of only a few gambling addiction-focused organizations active in the province.

Although PGRN’s support staff are not counsellors, Reshke told CP they direct those in need to support services like Gamblers Anonymous (GA) and Alberta Health. They also assist people with enrollment in the provincial voluntary exclusion program run by Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC). The drop-in centre provides meeting space for those Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

However, Reshke said PGRN’s greatest accomplishment is its education program for schools and workplaces. Notably, the program’s leaders are people with lived experience of gambling harm.

We’ve probably done around 10,000 gambling education presentations over the time that we’ve been in business, and we’ve reached probably 250,000 people.

Reshke said the government told him it cut the funding because PGRN doesn’t provide direct services. This response echoes the message delivered to four Alberta disability advocacy groups, which lost approximately $920,000 in government funding in January.

Andree Busenius, one of PGRN’s presenters, disagrees with the government’s cuts. She told CP that the demand for presentations has never been greater, particularly for school-age children.

In an effort to raise awareness, Busenius said her school presentations help students identify elements of gambling, such as video game mystery boxes.

One of the things I often hear back from students is that they can list off 10 or 15 online gambling sites. But if I ask them (to name) three places to get support for addiction in Alberta, they struggle.

She added that the response from teachers and parents has been overwhelmingly positive. Ultimately, she hopes the presentations help troubled gamblers avoid hitting rock bottom.

Government says it will reallocate funds to direct services

Jessica Conlin, a spokesperson for Recovery Alberta, confirmed to CP that the government terminated the funding early because of PGRN’s lack of direct services.

Recovery Alberta is one of four new public health agencies the UCP created to replace Alberta Health.

As Conlin explained in an email, the government would reallocate the funds to front-line delivery services directly supporting Albertans pursuing recovery. However, CP reported that Conlin did not confirm whether cuts would impact other addiction services.

At any time, Albertans can call the Addiction and Mental Health Helpline to connect with trained professionals for access to services.

NDP mental health and addictions opposition critic Janet Eremenko told CP the cut to the gambling network is irresponsible, particularly considering the province earns over $2 billion in revenue annually from gambling. She said there’s an additional concern because Alberta is moving to allow private operators access to its market, similar to Ontario.

Online gambling “is a big tidal wave on the horizon,” Eremenko said, adding that such cuts would mean the consequences would be “bigger than ever.”

They have a fundamental responsibility to step in and create a tangible way for people to point to a specific line item in the budget that says this is what they’re doing to address and prevent problematic gambling and gambling addiction when they’re making that kind of revenue from the gambling itself.

Minister says open gambling market will increase safety

For now, the provincially-run Play Alberta is the only legal online operator in the province, although offshore gray market sites also accept Alberta players.

Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally, who is responsible for regulating Alberta’s gambling industry, told CP online gambling in Alberta is like the “Wild West.” He added that following Ontario’s model would make online gamblers in Alberta safer than they are today.

Online gambling will never be a safe activity, but there are ways to make it safer. We have a fiduciary responsibility to put Albertans’ safety first, and we take that very seriously.

About the Author

Robyn Mcneil

Robyn Mcneil

Robyn McNeil (she/they) is a Nova Scotia-based writer and editor, and the lead writer at Bonus. Here she focuses on news relevant to online casinos, specializing in responsible gambling coverage, legislative developments, gambling regulations, and industry-related legal fights.
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