18-Mar-09. Alberta Downs set to open. Red Deer Advocate, A1.

The new Alberta Downs horse racetrack outside of Lacombe will open on April 18. There will be on-site betting on race days and technical issues are being worked out in setting up off-track betting and broadcasting races to the public. The races are expected to draw 400 to 500 horses and at least double that number of people, counting owners, handlers and others.

6-Jan-09. Smoking legislation hurting businesses. Red Deer Advocate, B2.

This article reports that the Alberta government’s non-smoking legislation has impacted the profits of Red Deer bars and bingo halls. Ray Malo, manager of the Red Deer Bingo Association, said that the bingo hall has lost at least 30 per cent of its business since the provincial government’s non-smoking rules have taken effect. Malo said the game of bingo isn’t conducive to people heading outside for a cigarette as they may miss an essential number while preoccupied.

10-Oct-08. Race track deal still underway. Red Deer Advocate, A10.

Lacombe County officials and the backers of the proposed Alberta Downs race track and entertainment centre are still working to put together a development agreement. Plans for the facility near Highway 2 and Highway 12 include a track, enclosed grandstand and an entertainment centre with up to a maximum of 150 slot machines. Lacombe County coucil gave second reading in April to a pair of bylaws laying the regulatory groundwork for the facility.

11-Jun-08. Casino sought. Red Deer Advocate, A1.

Plans for a new casino, hotel and convention centre at the south entry to Liberty Crossing and Gasoline Alley in Red Deer have been made public for the first time. Details of the proposal remain sketchy but materials submitted in support of te application contained the name Cash Casino. A spokesperson with the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission said no application for a new casino licence or for the transfer of an existing one has been received by her office.

21-Mar-08. Both sides state cases. Red Deer Advocate, A1.

Thursday’s public meeting on a horse racing proposal to be located just outside of Lacombe heard from those in support of the project as well as people who are opposed. Alberta Downs is being proposed by land owner Robert Allen and the Rocky Mountain Turf Club. The most contentious issue is the plan to place 120 slot machines in the licensed lounge that has been included as part of the development.

21-Mar-08. Red Deer bingo hall owner sees alcohol, VLTs as necessary addition. Edmonton Journal, B6.

The manager of the Red Deer Bingo Association has plans to start serving alcohol in the bingo hall and open a small adjacent lounge that will feature video lottery terminals (VLTs). Ray Malo said his establishment’s profits have been halved since a provincial ban on smoking in public places came into effect at the start of this year.

18-Mar-08. Bingo hall approved for booze, VLTs to follow. Red Deer Advocate, A1.

The Red Deer Bingo Association wants to convert an existing bingo hall into an entertainment centre that would have a lounge and video lottery terminals (VLTs). Ray Malo, the association’s manager, said diversification is a matter of survival for the bingo hall. Since smoking in public places was banned, its gross revenues have dropped 30 per cent and its profits have been cut in half.

7-Nov-07. Casino rules shift. Red Deer Advocate, B2.

A bylaw change that makes it tougher for future casinos and bingo halls to develop in Red Deer was approved by city council on Monday. Gaming establishments are now considered a discretionary use.

22-Oct-07. Casino rules discussed. Red Deer Advocate, B1.

A proposed Red Deer bylaw change would make gaming establishments discretionary uses throughout the city. It would mean casinos, bingo halls and similar businesses wouldn’t automatically be accepted as they are now in certain areas such as downtown and major arterial commercial areas.

25-Sep-07. Casino bylaw. Red Deer Advocate.

A bylaw change that could make it tougher for future casinos and bingo halls to develop in Red Deer was given first reading by city council on Monday. The amendment means that those facilities cannot be automatically approved in certain areas and that local residents are allowed to have input on the decision.