Alberta’s Track On 2 is now applying its last finishing touches on its gaming expansion. The Horse Racing and Event Centre is now one step closer to having 80 slot machines and eight VLTs installed. First, the new devices will be tested and they should be ready for gamblers by October 28, 2022, said on Friday co-owner Kurt Belich.
The Track On 2 Horse Racing & Event Centre is located at Highway 2 and Highway 12 just outside of Lacombe. It is owned and run by Mr. Belich his wife Kyle Belich and their business partner Ross Morrison. It boasts a mile dirt track and the only 7/8 tuft track in Western Canada. In addition to its gaming and horse racing options, it also offers premium dining amenities.
Renovations are Almost Done
On Friday, October 14, 2022, Mr. Belich shared that 50 оf the new slot machines have already been installed by the staff of the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis with the rest 30 coming this week. Тhen, the machines will be tested for a few days, before the facility is ready to open to the public. It should be October 28, 2022, at the latest.
And in order to make move for the new gaming centre, the establishment’s popular Funky Monkey Kitchen and Bar has been relocated upstairs. The expansion of the track was green-lit in May when an Alberta Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Commission panel reversed a previous turndown of the track’s plans. Thus, allowing it to offer a broader range of gaming options to its patrons.
After the recent upgrades, gamblers will be allowed to transfer winnings from one slot machine to another and now some of the machines will have progressive jackpot games. Here, the jackpots are shared between slot machines at multiple locations, thus securing much bigger prize pools. According to Mr. Belich, this makes playing more exciting for players.
Previously the expansion was further boosted when the AGLC changed its mind on a requirement that of the gaming machines must be connected via Telus’s fibre optic network. This was going to cost around CA$400,000 and was on track to be split between the Crown and the track. However, it later allowed the gaming centre to use the existing Shaw network.
New Market Delayed?
Meanwhile, the AGLC is working on enhancing the gaming sector for the industry as it wants to introduce a private sports betting market. Initially, the new sector was on schedule to launch before the end of 2022, however, it does not seem very likely as there have been no updates from the Crown after the Request for Proposals.
Unlike Ontario’s unlimited market model of endless operators, Alberta has opted for a limited model of just two operators. Many leading brands have expressed interest in the local model, however, there’s nothing concrete year. PointsBet Canada is one of the rumoured favourites as the company previously eyed Calgary-Edmonton Corridor as a potential expansion.
Source: Cowley, Paul “Track On 2 getting ready to showcase new slot machines”, Red Deer Advocate, October 14, 2022
