The
Manitoba Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) was established in 1923 via the
Liquor Control Act to control the sale of
alcoholic beverages in Manitoba. The Act empowered the commission to buy, import, and sell liquor; control the possession, sale and transportation of liquor; and to establish liquor outlets throughout the province. In 1982, MLCC opened the first
duty-free liquor store in Canada, outside of an airport in
Emerson. In 1984, responsibility over the operation of all casinos and distribution of
lottery tickets and
bingo paper was assumed by Manitoba Lotteries Foundation, who acquired 3 full-time
bingo halls in Winnipeg (including Bonanza Bingo and Pot O’Gold Bingo Hall). Five years later, in 1989,
Crystal Casino opened in the
Hotel Fort Garry, becoming the first continental-style casino in North America and the first year-round government-operated casino in Canada. The Manitoba Lotteries Foundation became a crown corporation in 1993, re-establishing itself as the
Manitoba Lotteries Corporation (MLC), with responsibility over regulating all gambling in the province, as well as operating the
McPhillips Station Casino and
Club Regent Casino in Winnipeg. In 1999, Crystal Casino closed while the two remaining casinos were renovated and expanded in time for the
13th Pan-Am Games in Winnipeg. In 2001,
The Liquor Control Act was amended to allow for the sale of liquor on Sundays. On 15 February 2002, the
Aseneskak Casino officially opened, on
Opaskwayak Cree Nation near
The Pas. The second
First Nations casino in Manitoba followed on 28 May 2005 with the
South Beach Casino. In 2013, partnering with
True North Sports & Entertainment, MLC opened the Shark Club Gaming Centre—a
sports bar, grill and gaming centre—in
Cityplace mall. On 22 June 2014 came the opening of
Sand Hills Casino, the third First Nations casino in Manitoba. On 1 April 2014, the
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation Act and the
Manitoba Liquor and Gaming Control Act came into effect, wherein most of the powers of both MLCC and MLC were assumed by the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corporation. More specifically, the acts transferred regulatory oversight for liquor from the MLCC to the new Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba, while combining the sale and distribution of liquor and gambling products under MBLL. == Services ==