Summary of 8-Step Licensing Process for New Casinos

The approval process for new casino facilities consists of eight steps:

Step one… An interested group or individual expresses formal interest to develop a casino in a community.

Step two… The AGLC issues a notice of expressed interest for a traditional casino facility or First Nation casino facility, as the case may be, determined by the location of the community where a formal interest has been expressed to develop a casino facility. The AGLC will place an advertisement in a local newspaper advising interested parties that the AGLC will accept expressions of interest from other groups or individuals for this casino facility licence. This process allows all interested parties in a specified market area an opportunity to make an application for a casino facility licence in that particular area and be considered at the same time as the original applicant. The AGLC will advise all municipal and band councils in the surrounding community of the interest in the proposed casino facility.

Step three… The AGLC will conduct an initial assessment to determine if the responses have merit and meet basic criteria related to market demand and benefit to charitable groups. At this stage in the process, the AGLC does not require municipal land use, zoning and development approval for an expression of interest to be deemed valid. Applicants are expected to defer seeking appropriate municipal approvals until advised in writing by the AGLC.

Step four… The Board of the AGLC will consider community support, or the lack thereof, as expressed through the municipal or band council and may conclude the process if in the Board’s view the council does not support the concept of a new casino facility in the community. If the council is silent and there is no demonstrated opposition to the concept of a new casino in the community, the Board at its discretion may decide to continue the application process.

Step five… The AGLC will accept detailed proposals from applicants who have expressed interest in the development of a new casino facility in the community under consideration. The proposals must include a business plan and the applicant must demonstrate to the Commission that the proposal has taken into consideration factors that may impact the community and adjacent communities. The applicants are also required to issue a public notice of their application for a casino facility licence. The AGLC will advise all councils in the surrounding community of any proposals received from applicants.

Step six… Proposals will be evaluated by a selection committee using stringent criteria and the best proposal will be selected.

Step seven… A thorough due diligence investigation is conducted into the proponents and other key persons associated with the selected proposal.

Step eight… If all requirements for a gaming facility are met (federal and provincial legislation, regulation, and policies, and municipal requirements, permits, licences or authorizations) the AGLC will make a recommendation to the Board respecting the issuance of a casino facility licence to the successful applicant.