| 1967 |
Alberta’s first charitable casino opens at Edmonton’s annual fair (Klondike Days). |
| 1969 |
Alberta’s second charitable casino opens at Calgary’s annual fair (Calgary Stampede). Amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada authorize lotteries and sweepstakes. Provinces now have the authority to licence and operate lotteries and casinos. |
| 1975 |
An Edmonton Kinsmen Club establishes Alberta’s first not-for-profit casino. |
| 1978 |
Laycraft public inquiry reports that corrupt carnival gaming activities were entrenched in Alberta. |
| 1980 |
Alberta’s first permanent, privately operated charitable casino (Cash Casino) opens in Calgary. |
| 1981 |
Alberta’s second permanent, privately operated charitable casino (Casino ABS) opens in Edmonton. |
| 1985 |
Criminal Code amended, granting authority to the provinces to conduct and manage mechanical and electronic gaming devices. |
| 1986 |
Casino ABS South opens in Edmonton (now Casino Edmonton). |
| 1988 |
Frontier Casino opens a permanent facility in Calgary (now Stampede Casino). |
| 1989 |
Province’s first purpose-built casino opens in Calgary (now Elbow River Casino). |
| 1990 |
Sandman Inn Casino (Edmonton) opens but closes after only seven months of operation. Palace Casino (Edmonton) opens. |
| 1991 |
Video lottery terminals (VLTs) are tested at summer fairs in Edmonton and Calgary. Casino opened in the base of the Calgary Tower. It closes several years later. |
| 1992 |
The VLT program is officially introduced. |
| 1993 |
Slot machines were tested at the Calgary Stampede, during the Edmonton Klondike Days, and rural fairs. Casino ABS opens permanent casino facility in Lethbridge. |
| 1994 |
Gold Dust Casino opens in St. Albert. The Fort McMurray casino begins as a small temporary operation. |
| 1995 |
Cash Casino (Red Deer) opens permanent facility. |
| 1996 |
Slot machines are introduced into Alberta’s charitable casinos. Slot machines are introduced at Edmonton Northlands as part of an initiative to revitalize the horse racing industry. The Baccarat Casino opens in Edmonton. Frank Sisson’s Silver Dollar Casino opens in Calgary. Casino opens in Medicine Hat. |
| 1997 |
Casino Calgary opens. Jackpot Casino opens in Red Deer. Slots installed in a racetrack facility in Lethbridge. |
| 1999 |
Cash Casino (Lethbridge) closes. It had operated for approximately 5 years. |
| 2000 |
Casino Yellowhead (Edmonton) opens and becomes Alberta’s largest facility at 75,000-square-feet. |
| 2001 |
The Alberta government introduces a new First Nations Gaming Policy, based on Alberta’s unique charitable gaming model. First Nation casinos will be located on reserve land, will be regulated by the AGLC and operate under similar terms and conditions as off-reserve casinos. |
| 2002 |
Moratorium restricting new casinos is removed. |
| 2003 |
Province’s third Racing Entertainment Centre opens in Grande Prairie. |
| 2005 |
Deerfoot Inn & Casino (Calgary) opens. |
| 2006 |
River Cree Resort and Casino opens on the Enoch Reserve adjacent to the City of Edmonton. It is the first casino to open under the province’s First Nations Gaming Policy. Alberta government modifies policies to allowing First Nation charities more flexibility to spend charitable gaming proceeds. Century Casino & Hotel opens in Edmonton. |
| 2007 |
Casino Camrose opens. Casino Dene on the Cold Lake First Nation opens. Grey Eagle Casino on the Tsuu T'ina First Nation west of the City of Calgary opens. |
| 2008 |
Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino opens on First Nation lands in Kananaskis. Eagle River Casino and Travel Plaza in Whitecourt opens on First Nation lands. |
| 2009 |
Calgary West Hospitality, operator of the Stampede Casino is placed into voluntary receivership. Alberta gambling revenues decline for a second straight year. |
| 2010 |
Silver Dollar Casino in Calgary placed into receivership by owner Evergreen Gaming Corp. asks for creditor protection. |
