Legislation

Government had authority to set up online gambling site, Alberta top court rules

Monday 24 de April 2023 / 12:00

⏱ 1 min read

(Alberta).- The province’s gaming authority had the right to set up an online gambling site, Alberta’s top court ruled Friday in upholding a lower court decision.

Government had authority to set up online gambling site, Alberta top court rules

A three-member Alberta Court of Appeal panel dismissed a challenge by Tsuu T’ina Gaming and others to the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission’s decision to create PlayAlberta in 2020.

The appellants had argued Justice Robert Armstrong erred in his Feb. 24, 2022, decision upholding the commission’s approval of the online gambling site.

Among the arguments raised by the gambling entities on the Tsuut’ina Nation on Calgary’s southwest edge, was that Armstrong erred in finding the commission had the statutory authority under the gaming act to operate an online casino accessible by desktop and mobile devices throughout the province.

The appeal judges noted that the Criminal Code says all lotteries and games of chance are illegal, but sets out exceptions which include provincial governments conducting and managing authorized lottery schemes.

“Importantly, within (the Criminal Code) is a distinction between a provincial government, which may operate and manage a provincially authorized lottery scheme, and others, who require provincial approval and licencing,” they said.

The Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act says the commission “may conduct and manage provincial lotteries on behalf of the Government of Alberta,” the appeal judges noted in their written ruling.

Categoría:Legislation

Tags: Sin tags

País: Canada

Región: North America