Alberta Legislature Building as Edmonton City Council debates casino relocation amid traffic and charity revenue concerns. (Image: Vadim Gouida / Alamy)

Edmonton city council voted 10-3 this week to oppose Capital City Casino's proposal to relocate its Camrose business to a new casino site in Edmonton, just north of Ellerslie Road and Parsons Road. 

Council officials cite concerns over increased traffic, which would necessitate costly road upgrades that the city cannot afford due to limited municipal funding. 

Warning on Charities Seeing Decline in Revenues 

Gemma Dunn, executive director of the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations (ECVO), reiterated the organization’s opposition to the move, emphasising its potential negative effects on local charities. 

She said: “Without further changes to AGLC’s policies, the relocation of the Camrose casino will result in a five percent decline in revenues to Edmonton charities, at a time when those services are in high demand."

"We strongly opposed the relocation in 2022, and our position stands in 2024.” 

Casino Could Generate Revenue of $19M

A notice on AGLC’s website about the proposed relocation says, if approved, the casino would provide a massive 88,000-square-foot facility with 498 slots and 25 game tables generating about $19 million in new gaming revenue and “will cause significant realignment in the Edmonton gaming market.”  

Mayor Voices Concern  

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi voiced his concerns about gambling addiction and the inability of local infrastructure to handle the expected traffic surge, noting that expanding Parsons Road would require $13 million, which the city simply doesn’t have. 

The letter opposing the relocation was sent to Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis (AGLC), urging them to reject the proposal due to the adverse impacts on the community and lack of public consultation. 

“It is unfair that the local city of Edmonton charities would get less revenue at a time when we have so many social pressures in our community,” Sohi told the Edmonton Journal, adding he also fears another casino may fuel gambling addictions. 

While some councillors, like Ward Pihêsiwin’s Tim Cartmell, expressed reservations about the letter’s emphasis on municipal funding issues, the council ultimately decided to make their position public.