According to the Alberta Court of Appeal, PlayAlberta the online gambling platform was established in alignment with Canadian legal standards. Local tribal entities, such as the Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda First Nations , expressed dissatisfaction when the site launched in October 2020, leading to a lawsuit aimed at shutting it down in April 2021.
Local tribal organizations contested the legality of the Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission (AGLC) , claiming it lacked the authority to operate PlayAlberta. They positioned that AGLC's jurisdiction rights pertain solely to the regulation of gaming, cannabis, and alcohol industries, arguing that the regulatory agency should not engage in the online gaming industry.
There are instances of gaming regulators in Canada also functioning as operators, and the tribal organizations claimed this dual role violates federal Canadian law. Critics also voice concerns that this could result in conflicting interests.
In their legal challenge, the tribes maintained that the AGLC was either running the casino unlawfully without a license or self-issuing a gambling license, thereby breaching its own regulations.
Outcome of the Tribal Lawsuit
The Calgary Herald mentioned that a lower court dismissed the case in February, and the appellate court recently confirmed this ruling.
Although the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits games of chance and lotteries , the appellate judges recognized a potential exception for provincial authorities that want to manage legalized lottery activities.
The judges stated that any other agencies would have to secure provincial licenses and approvals before conducting authorized lottery activities, whereas the provincial government itself might not need such permissions.
Additionally, the tribal casinos were closed while they were pursuing their legal action, a measure taken to manage the pandemic, which left PlayAlberta as the only casino operator in the province.
Games Available on PlayAlberta
PlayAlberta offers online slots including games such as Big Piggy Bonus, Bok of the Sphinx, and Cash Eruption. Instant-win lottery games and table games are also available. Players in Canada who enjoy Live Dealer titles will find Live Blackjack , Live Roulette, Live Poker and a dedicated Game show lobby.
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