US President Donald Trump has kickstarted a trade war with multiple countries, including China, Mexico, and the US. He has done so with a plan to add tariffs to products imported from these nations, but those countries are fighting back with tariffs of their own.
Canada, in particular, has taken issue with the new policy of its neighbor. As of March 4, the country is imposing a 25% tariff on $30bn worth of goods coming from the US. Canada says these tariffs will remain in place until the US eliminates its tariffs on Canadian goods.
the government will only purchase gaming equipment from countries that “share a free trade agreement with Canada”
As part of this trade war, Alberta has taken the decision to ban gaming equipment imported from the US. The Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Commission made the announcement on Thursday, claiming that the government will only purchase gaming equipment from countries that “share a free trade agreement with Canada.”
Notably, all in-person casino and online gaming offerings in Alberta and the rest of Canada are run through the government. PlayAlberta is the only regulated online gambling website in the province, while there are multiple retail casinos, including the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino.
The ban raised concerns in Nevada and elsewhere that other provinces would follow Alberta’s lead. Speaking with The Nevada Independent, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming analyst Phil Bernard said other provinces are “likely to follow Alberta, negatively impacting slot vendor sales in the near term.”
Alberta supposedly accounts for around 4% of sales for major US gaming manufacturers, such as Light & Wonder and Aristocrat Gaming. The province purchases an estimated 4,000 slot machines and lottery terminals per year.
