The Canadian province of Alberta has banned the purchase of slot machines and video lottery terminals (VLTs) from U.S.-based suppliers, citing retaliatory measures against new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.
The directive, issued by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) on March 6, restricts gaming equipment procurement to companies that either have support services in Alberta or are based in countries with a free trade agreement with Canada.
The move could cost major Las Vegas-based gaming manufacturers millions of dollars in lost sales and has sparked concerns that other Canadian provinces may follow suit.
Alberta, one of Canada’s top three gaming markets, accounts for approximately 4% of total sales by leading slot machine manufacturers including International Game Technology (IGT), Light & Wonder, Aristocrat Gaming, and Konami Gaming.
Analysts warn that similar restrictions in other Canadian provinces, such as British Columbia and Ontario, could further impact U.S. gaming manufacturers.
“Clearly, this directive is in response to the U.S. administration’s tariff policy, and we believe other Canadian provinces are likely to follow Alberta, negatively impacting slot vendor sales in the near term,” said Phil Bernard, an analyst at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming.
The gaming equipment sector is assessing the implications of Alberta’s decision.
“These policy decisions and responses affect many industries beyond gaming for both the near and longer term,” said Daron Dorsey, executive director of the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM), as reported by The Nevada Independent. “Our gaming suppliers will manage and adjust to this new normal as best they can.”
IGT, one of the world’s largest gaming suppliers, highlighted its existing presence in Canada.
“We have more than 400 employees in Canada. We produce Canadian VLT content in Canada, and our VLT cabinets can be manufactured in locations outside of the U.S.,” said Phil O’Shaughnessy, an IGT spokesperson.
According to the AGLC’s 2024 annual report, Alberta’s 14,400 slot machines in casinos generated CA$1.3 billion ($900 million) in revenue, while more than 6,000 lottery terminals contributed CA$557 million ($384.90 million)
Eilers & Krejcik estimates that IGT, Light & Wonder, and Aristocrat control 83% of gaming equipment sales in Canada, with total annual sales of approximately 15,000 slot machines and VLTs nationwide.
Confusion remains over whether the directive applies to companies headquartered outside the U.S. but with significant American operations. For instance, IGT is based in Italy but has major manufacturing in the U.S., while Australia-based Aristocrat Gaming also has U.S. production sites.
Analysts predict Alberta may delay new game purchases for an extended period due to the less competitive nature of the Canadian gaming market compared to the U.S.
“The policy is likely to remain in place until the U.S. and Canada are able to reach a new trade agreement,” Bernard wrote in a research note.
The Alberta government, which also suspended the import and sale of U.S. liquor last week, has not provided a timeline for revisiting the gaming equipment directive.
“Intergovernmental relations and agreements, including Alberta’s response to the U.S. tariffs, are the responsibility of the Alberta government,” said Lynden McBeth, an AGLC spokesperson.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/03/11/97837-canadian-province-of-alberta-bans-usmade-gaming-equipment-amid-trade-dispute
