Judge sets aside AGLC approval of Camrose casino's move to Edmonton
A Court of King's Bench justice found the regulator acted unfairly, leaving a south Edmonton casino under construction in limbo.
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An Alberta judge has overturned the provincial regulator's approval for a Camrose casino to relocate to south Edmonton, throwing a project already under construction into doubt.
Court of King's Bench Justice Nathan Whitling allowed a judicial review brought by Pure Canadian Entertainment LP and Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited against the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC). His decision, dated May 11, 2026, set aside the AGLC's approval, Global News reported.
The judge found the AGLC "acted unfairly" and frustrated the applicants' legitimate expectations because it did not follow its own guidelines. Both applicant companies operate casinos in Alberta.
Global News described the relocation as in flux. Setting aside the approval means the relocation no longer has the regulator's sign-off, although the court decision did not itself say what should happen to the building now going up.
A project half built
The Camrose casino applied to the AGLC in 2022 to move into Edmonton, and the commission approved the request in 2024. Ground has since been broken at 420 Parsons Road SW, on land between South Edmonton Common and the Summerside neighbourhood.
It was not clear what would happen to construction. Work was still going on more than two weeks after the ruling, according to Global News. The developer, Capital City Casinos, had not responded to the outlet by publication.
The AGLC said it had received the decision and was reviewing it. It added that no decisions had been made about next steps.
Local concerns
Ward Karhiio Coun. Keren Tang said Parsons Road, which has one lane in each direction, is among the top arterial roads the city wants to improve. She said the casino adds pressure and urgency on municipal infrastructure.
Tang also raised concerns about charitable gaming. The casino was approved to move to Edmonton but would stay in the rural pool for charitable gaming events, meaning that revenue would not stay in the city. She described that as a major blow for the city.