The Alberta Court of Appeal has affirmed that this online gambling platform was set up in line with Canadian legislation. Upon its launch in October 2020, local indigenous groups such as the Tsuut'ina and Stoney Nakoda First Nations were displeased, leading to a lawsuit filed in April 2021 seeking its shutdown.PlayAlberta The local tribal groups claimed that the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) overstepped its legal boundaries by operating PlayAlberta. They stated that while the AGLC governs gaming, cannabis, and alcohol, it has no mandate to manage iGaming ventures.
Critics within the Canadian jurisdiction pointed out that some gaming regulators double as operators. The tribes argued that this conflicts with federal law, with Alberta being a notable example. Opponents express concern over potential conflicts of interest with this setup.Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission In their legal challenge, the tribes claimed that the AGLC was either running the casino unlawfully without a proper license or was self-awarding a gambling license, thereby contradicting its own regulations.
Legal Outcome of the Tribal Lawsuit
According to reports from the Calgary Herald, the case was initially dismissed by a lower court in February, a decision upheld by the appellate court recently.
While Canada's Criminal Code generally prohibits games of chance and lotteries , the court acknowledged that exceptions exist for provincial authorities wanting to oversee legitimate lottery schemes.
The judiciary also clarified that while other entities must secure provincial licences to operate a lottery, the provincial bodies might not require similar authorization.
Compounding their challenges, the tribes’ casinos were shut down during the lawsuit due to pandemic measures, rendering PlayAlberta the sole gaming provider in the area.
featuring games like Big Piggy Bonus, Book of the Sphinx, and Cash Eruption. There is also a range of instant-win lottery games and table games for Canadian enthusiasts.
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