The Alberta government has confirmed plans to further enhance its gambling addiction support network, seeking proposals from the industry regarding the potential introduction of new initiatives.
Indeed, the province’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction outlined a request for expressions of interest relating to bolstering its gambling addiction services past what already exists via Recovery Alberta.
As part of its newly regulated online casino and sports betting market – which formally opened last month – Alberta's regulations demand a 20% revenue contribution from regulated operators towards ‘social responsibility initiatives.’ The introduction of these latest potential initiatives would be funded by revenue generated from the iGaming market, specifically.
Alberta’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction has stated that applications for organization’s that can provide additional support will help to protect and enhance support for individuals and families of individuals struggling with problem gambling: “Nobody should have to struggle with addiction alone, including gambling-related addiction. Gambling-related harms can affect mental health, physical health, relationships, financial stability, employment, housing and overall well-being.”
Organizations that wish to contribute to the initiative have until September 10 to apply, with more information reportedly available via 211 Alberta.
Canada has been no stranger to spearheading responsible gambling over the years, with the Responsible Gambling Council – formerly the Canadian Foundation on Compulsive Gambling – being one of the first ever RG organizations to be incepted globally in 1983.
More recently, Ontario has championed additional responsibility initiatives, becoming one of the first jurisdictions to launch a full-scale, centralized self-exclusion system for its market – which has been thriving since its regulation in 2022.
On the day of opening, Alberta’s market debuted with over 50 operator registrations for the market
