Two employees at a southwest Calgary casino are accused of issuing illegitimate winnings of approximately $5,000 to selected patrons over several weeks, prompting an internal probe and a police investigation. Management detected irregular payouts on card games between October 31 and November 19, then contacted the Calgary Police Service, which arrested five people and laid fraud charges over 5,000 dollars and additional breach-of-trust counts for two of the accused.
How casinos are regulated in Alberta
In Alberta, land-based casinos and most gaming activities are regulated by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), a Crown agency that oversees licensing, compliance, and enforcement. AGLC administers the Gaming and Liquor Act and related policies, ensuring casinos follow strict rules on game integrity, surveillance, cash handling, and staff conduct to protect both players and public funds.
Industry response and cooperation
Calgary Police emphasized that tackling financial crime in casinos relies on cooperation between law enforcement, regulators, and industry partners. Casino operators are expected to conduct internal investigations, maintain robust monitoring systems, and promptly report suspicious activity, which is what led to the exposure of the fake payout scheme in this caseEvolving oversight and iGaming
Alberta is also modernizing its gambling framework through legislation such as Bill 48, which confirms AGLC’s role as the primary regulator while paving the way for a dedicated Alberta iGaming Corporation to oversee private online gaming operators. This structure mirrors other Canadian provinces and is designed to keep regulatory oversight independent, enhance market integrity, and support responsible gambling measures like self-exclusion tools.
Why this matters for Canadian players
For Canadian casino patrons, both in Alberta and across the country, cases like this show that internal collusion and payout scams are actively investigated and prosecuted within a regulated environment. Strong provincial oversight, combined with casino compliance programs and police partnerships, aims to keep games fair, protect honest players, and maintain trust in Canada’s legal gambling industry.
Related Casino Fraud Cases in Canada and Beyond
This investigation follows recent reports of high-tech cheating at casinos, including a case involving a Kazakh couple arrested in Australia for using spy cameras and covert communication devices to manipulate gaming outcomes, highlighting ongoing challenges in securing fair play across the gambling industry.
