Alberta Directs CA$2.4 Million to Brick House Recovery Centre for Gambling Treatment as iGaming Market Operates with 33 Licensed Sites
Alberta committed CA$2.4 million ($1.7 million) to Brick House Recovery Centre for outpatient gambling treatment. The four-week program plus eight weeks of aftercare is funded by 1% of iGaming gross gaming revenue from 33 licensed sites that launched July 13. This links operator revenues directly to harm reduction services.
SCCG Take — The operator-funded model assigns treatment costs to the industry generating the activity, creating a self-sustaining mechanism that other jurisdictions may replicate as they regulate online gaming.
The Alberta government announced a CA$2.4 million ($1.7 million) investment in the Brick House Recovery Centre to expand gambling treatment and recovery services for those experiencing gambling-related harm. This allocation occurs as the province’s regulated iGaming market, which launched on July 13, continues to develop.
Under Alberta’s new iGaming regulatory regime, 1% of gross gaming revenue will fund social responsibility programs that include education, research, and treatment. As reported by Casino.org News, iGaming operators will cover these costs.
Treatment and Aftercare Program Structure
The funding supports a publicly funded, flexible, person-centered outpatient program of four weeks of treatment followed by up to eight weeks of individualized aftercare. Services will be offered in Edmonton and Calgary, with virtual services available province-wide.
Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, said funding for programs addressing problematic gambling will be paid for by iGaming operators. Brick House Recovery Centre is the first organization selected through an open competition held earlier this year, with additional recipients to be named late this fall.
Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, stated that gambling can have devastating consequences for individuals and families, harming mental health, eroding relationships and losing financial security. Wilson added that the government is ensuring access to recovery-focused supports that help restore stability, build resilience and achieve long-term recovery.
Sustainable Funding Tied to Market Activity
Alberta’s iGaming market went live on July 13. Currently, 33 licensed sites accept wagers, according to the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC).
Nally previously said Albertans were already gambling and that the regulated market puts player safety and player responsibility first. This approach ensures those struggling with problematic gambling behaviours have access to treatment funded by the operator. The model ties treatment capacity directly to market revenues, providing a dedicated stream that scales with licensed activity rather than general appropriations. Additional funding rounds this fall will test whether the 1% mechanism delivers sufficient resources as participation grows.
Reporting: Casino.org News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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