5 This conclusion was based upon the reality that First Nations comprise 3% of the Alberta’s population, contributed +25% to the ALF, but accessed just 0.12 percent of available charitable monies during the period 2006–11. Given the poor state of infrastructure and economies in First Nations communities, Belanger and Williams argued that the Province of Alberta should reconsider its 30% take from the First Nations casinos and redirect it back into the First Nations Development Fund, minus administration of the gaming legislation. The remaining 30% remains in the ALF and is spread across eleven ministries for a variety of programs benefiting everyday Albertans and supporting various community initiatives. The FNDF is an application-driven grant program that allocates the 40% of revenues to projects in First Nations communities to address chronic underfunding in areas of economic, social and community development. 2 To elaborate, gaming revenues allow Host communities to support a variety of projects ranging from long-term financing, construction, housing, recreation and economic development. Yale Belanger and Robert Williams in 2012, this proviso supports non-Indigenous programming. 1 This deal, appearing very beneficial to host communities on the surface, includes an “unexpected proviso” of allocating 30% to the Alberta Lottery Fund. The chart below describes the breakdown of the slot revenue allocation:Īs shown above, for every dollar earned, 30% is returned to Host Nations (Casino Operators), 40% is invested into the First Nations Development Fund (FNDF), and the final 30% is invested into the Alberta Lottery Fund (ALF). Revenues from table games are not subject to these splits and are allocated to the host communities charity in much lower amounts. This Brief considers the current formula, highlights some inequities, and hopefully opens the space for more critical questions.īeginning in 2006 with the opening of the Rivercree Resort and Casino located on the Enoch Cree Nation, proceeds from government-owned slot machines have been allocated in a 30/70 split, which ultimately breaks down to a 30/40/30 split. This is an important conversation, and one that requires a renewed debate on how the revenue is shared. To date, a majority of the discussions and questions revolve around the way revenue generated on-reserve through gaming is distributed.

SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT of Alberta’s First Nations Gaming Policy in 2001, Indian Gaming in the province has been a much discussed topic.

Casinos owned by tribes