Continuous Alcohol Service Available Round-the-Clock at Alberta Casinos under New Trial Scheme
A new pilot program has been launched by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), allowing certain casinos to serve alcohol around the clock. This change aims to align liquor service hours with the operational hours of slot machines, providing casinos with increased flexibility to offer continuous hospitality services.
The pilot program, which began on July 1, 2023, is not a novel concept in Alberta, as the province already allows 24-hour liquor service in licensed airport restaurants and lounges. To participate, casinos typically need to offer 24-hour slot machine gaming. As such, not all casinos can extend their liquor service to 24 hours.
Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, one of the participating casinos, has seen the program run smoothly without disruption, according to its director of marketing, Chelsie Whitney. The extended service offers guests some added flexibility, especially during late-night entertainment or early-morning visits.
The casinos involved in the pilot must adhere to conditions such as limiting liquor service to areas where gaming activity is taking place, maintaining incident logs between midnight and 9 a.m., and prohibiting off-sales during the extended hours. Operators are required to have ProServe, ProTect, and DealUsIn staff on site during the extended hours to ensure responsible service.
Guest safety remains a top priority for Grey Eagle Casino during the pilot program. The casino is closely monitoring the program to ensure that it is being implemented responsibly. So far, Grey Eagle Casino hasn't seen any major impact on operations, staffing, or supply.
The pilot program is part of broader efforts by the Alberta government to modernize and expand liquor regulations, though those broader changes primarily focus on retail settings rather than casino operations. AGLC will evaluate the results and reports from participants before making any lasting changes.
The casinos participating in the pilot include PURE Casino Calgary, Deerfoot Inn & Casino Calgary, Ace Casino Blackfoot Calgary, Ace Casinos Airport Calgary, Grey Eagle Casino Calgary area, PURE Casino Lethbridge, Cash Casino Red Deer, River Cree Edmonton area, PURE Casino Edmonton, PURE Casino Yellowhead Edmonton, Century Casino Edmonton, Great Northern Casino Grande Prairie, and Rivers Casino Fort McMurray.
The Alberta government will closely monitor the pilot program's impact on casino operations, guest behaviour, and responsible service. If successful, this could pave the way for permanent changes to liquor service hours in Alberta's casino industry.
The pilot program, initiated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), includes various casinos offering extended news and entertainment, as casinos like Grey Eagle Resort and Casino provide 24-hour casino-and-gambling services with the new program. Moreover, casino-culture in Alberta continues to evolve as the pilot program may lead to permanent changes, influencing the way casinos offer hospitality and casino-games.
