AGLC Rules Update: What Alberta Nonprofits Need to Know (April 2025)

Synopsis

This AGLC rules update, effective April 1, 2025, marks the biggest shift in charitable gaming compliance in a decade and introduces a substantial overhaul to its Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook.

The update raises funding thresholds, scraps some pre-approval steps, and widens the list of eligible expenses. Here’s a concise briefing so boards, executives, and treasurers can use the new flexibility without risking compliance. (aglc.ca)

What actually changed?

Area	Old rule	New rule (Apr 1 2025)	Source
Retaining proceeds	Charities needed AGLC approval to hold more than $10 k at any time.	Can now retain up to $50 k before approval is required.	(aglc.ca)
Community events	Pre-approval for most event costs.	Spend up to $100 k on community events without AGLC approval.	(aglc.ca)
Travel	All travel required prior approval.	Approval step removed; travel costs fall under routine program expenses.	(aglc.ca)
Administrative cap	Max 20 % of proceeds on admin.	Cap lifted to 30 %.	(aglc.ca)
Library & “Friends-of” groups	Capital projects largely ineligible.	Capital + operating costs now eligible when no other funding exists.	(aglc.ca)

What This AGLC Rules Update Means for Alberta Nonprofits

• Less red tape – Higher money ceilings and fewer approval letters accelerate program launches.

• Broader expense menu – Travel, food for community events, small capital upgrades, and larger admin allowances are now explicitly green-lit.

• Small-shop advantage – Lean rural or volunteer-run groups stand to gain the most time savings and cash-flow breathing room, though every licensed charity benefits.

Spotlight on Agricultural Societies

Alberta is home to 292 agricultural societies, the largest network of its kind in Canada. In April 2025 the province also announced over $7.4 million in one-time funding to bolster these regional hubs.

By pairing the new AGLC flexibility (e.g., larger event budgets and easier capital spending) with this grant stream, ag societies can upgrade facilities, host signature events, and broaden programming without wading through the old layers of approvals.

Staying compliant — five quick habits

1. Bookmark the April 1 2025 edition of the Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook and share it with all finance and program leads.

2. Map every planned expense to a handbook clause before spending; when in doubt, file a Use-of-Proceeds request.

3. Track your un-approved balance so it never exceeds the new $50 k limit.

4. Educate your board annually and document attendance; auditors ask.

5. Keep receipts and bank statements for at least six years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 Does the update change our reporting deadlines? 

No. Quarterly and annual AGLC financial reports remain unchanged.

Q2 Can we spend gaming money on capital projects now? 

Yes—up to the new dollar limits (e.g., $100 k for facility renovations) without approval. Larger projects still need AGLC sign-off.

Q3 What happens if our retained proceeds exceed $50 k? 

File a quick amendment request detailing why you need to hold the extra funds and how you’ll spend them. Approval is usually fast if plans align with eligible uses.