Alberta Bans U.S. Slot Purchases in Response to Trump Tariff
The government of Alberta, Canada announced a ban on imports of slot machines and video lottery terminals from U.S.-based companies, in response to the pending 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The move affects the top U.S.-based slot manufacturers, Light & Wonder and IGT. The effect on other firms, such as Konami Gaming, Inc., Ainsworth Game Technology and the top slot supplier, Aristocrat Gaming, remains to be seen. While all three have U.S.-based game development studios and assembly plants, the parent companies are in Japan (Konami) and Australia (Ainsworth and Aristocrat).
In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Alberta generated close to $2 billion in gambling revenue, with slot machines contributing about 46 percent of total sales, amounting to $920 million.
According to the directive from the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission, the purchase of all gaming terminals from U.S.-based suppliers was suspended effective March 6.
“AGLC will prioritize procurement on companies that have support services in Alberta, Canada, or with countries that we share a free trade agreement with,” the directive stated.
The March 6 decision by the AGLC threatens millions in potential sales. Alberta typically buys around 4,000 new slot machines and VLTs each year, and last year, Canada accounted for 16 percent of total gaming equipment sales in North America.
