Alberta Canada Gambling New Fuel for It's Economy

Canada for the most part is pretty conservative when it come to gambling except in some  of the more far flung places such as Alberta. A recent survey on the gambling habits of Canadians has indicated that more gambling goes on in that province than anywhere else in the large country. Alberta is known for it's oil and natural gas reserves which drives it's rich economy and exploration tradition.
The National Post newspaper observed that Gambling revenues are fuelling Alberta’s economy with numbers comparable to both oil and gas. The article said that revenues from gambling ($1.3 billion Cnd. ) and alcohol ($700 million Cnd.) actually rival  income derived from energy resources.
The current budget year royalties from conventional natural gas are forecast to hit only $1.9-billion this year significantly  down from  6 billion four years ago. Estimated conventional crude oil income for the year is also projected to reach a similar number.
The Alberta Gaming Research Institute, co-ordinator,  Robert Williams, says, "It’s a reliable source of revenue and they depend on it. That’s the worrisome thing,"
He added that Albertans are already near the top of per-capita gambling in Canada, spending an average $951 per person in 2009 greater than almost every other province.
Distribution of the funds derived from gambling goes to hundreds of groups and agencies in the province. Revenues from alcohol and gambling are key to social program funding gambling funds are directed to the Alberta Lottery Fund, where as liquor revenues are placed into general revenue coffers.
Lynn Hutchings-Mah a spokesperson for the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission commented that, "You’ve got a real variety of where the money goes," adding, "The grants do go back to support a lot of volunteer and community projects and initiatives."
The University of Alberta’s Institute for Public Economics, director, Bob Ascah, commented to the paper that low natural gas revenues are part of a new reality in the province, at least for the next few years. Alberta may indeed be looking at introducing online gambling to Albertans soon should the trend continue.