Local, Online, and Booming: The Business Shift Happening Across Alberta

Central Alberta is experiencing a marked change in the way business is conducted. Many local operators are now looking beyond the storefront and are adopting digital tools to operate things more efficiently. This is not merely about following the fashions. It’s about enhancing their way of reaching customers, their operations and their services.

Small and medium businesses are using digital strategies to make smarter decisions and stay competitive. Local stories, backed by growing national data, show that online tools are no longer just an add-on, they’re now a key part of the business model.

More Efficient Workstreams

Online tools are helping businesses operate with fewer delays and less overhead. For many small companies, that means faster order management, automatic communication, and better use of space and time. A key result of this shift is better customer handling across industries, including the online gaming sector.

Even in industries with international visibility within gaming, like online casino entertainment platforms, users are becoming more selective. When people compare trusted online casinos, the decision is no longer based on flashy offers alone. They now look for consistent customer service, clear complaint resolution, and visible licensing, all signs that operations behind the scenes are run with the same care expected from any modern business.

This expectation is also being transferred to the local businesses who are learning that speedy service, legible records, and stable systems are more important than ever. The model of good digital operations established by these larger platforms is influencing customer habits all over the world.

A Larger Customer Base

As the internet has opened up e-commerce tools to more people, the concept of selling only within one’s local community is becoming obsolete. Many small businesses that used to only do business in local retail locations are now receiving orders from across the province and in some cases the country.

This change was not the result of a random change of mind, it was the result of the steady growth of sites such as eBay and Amazon over the last decade. Noting the sudden surge in online shopping brought about by a change in consumer habits, the Avanta report says more small and mid-sized businesses were able to grow quickly as a result.

Organizations have become exposed to national and international buyers and therefore, need the space and infrastructure to handle increased volumes of orders. What was previously just a pipe dream for a small Alberta-based producer is now not only possible, but expected.

Logistics: The Demand Behind the Growth

Online growth means more customers, but it is also more pressure. As businesses are expanding into digital sales, many are experiencing a sudden jump in demand for products which places stress on the way stock is stored, managed and delivered. This is particularly the case with small and mid-sized operations that previously only traded locally or in small volumes.

Once an online store is open, the potential of selling nationally or even outside the country, becomes real. But that growth doesn’t simply mean fulfilling orders. This can be affected by whether there is sufficient space to store inventory and whether staff members are able to move orders fast enough to satisfy customers’ expectations.

Businesses are also expected to control returns and complaints without any delay. This shift has caused some Alberta businesses to rethink their set up. It’s not enough to have a back room with shelves and some packing boxes anymore. Larger warehousing, improved dispatch systems and faster coordination between departments are becoming the norm.

Alberta’s Push to Make Digital Work

To help Alberta businesses keep up with these demands, the province has invested $3 million into the Digital Economy Program. Managed by Business Link in partnership with Digital Main Street, the program aims to bring more small companies online with one-on-one support. ShopHERE, a no-cost platform within the program, gives eligible businesses help with setting up and promoting online stores.

Daniel Vandal, the Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, announced the program alongside Alberta representatives. Only about one in three Alberta small businesses had the ability to sell online when the program launched. That gap left many at risk of losing ground as consumer habits shifted toward digital shopping.

The program doesn’t just provide tools, it offers real training. Through its Digital Service Squads, recent graduates across Alberta assist local businesses in learning how to use these systems effectively. With roughly 4,800 businesses expected to benefit over two years, the goal is to raise the province’s digital maturity without putting pressure on companies to figure it out alone.

This push is already being felt. From Calgary to Central Alberta, businesses are using these resources to shorten the learning curve and give their customers a better, faster, more modern experience.

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Alberta

From Underdog to Top Broodmare

Published on October 31, 2025

Todayville

WATCH From Underdog to Top Broodmare (video)

Executive Producers Jeff Robillard (Horse Racing Alberta) and Mike Little (Shinelight Entertainment)

What began as an underdog story became a legacy of excellence. Crackers Hot Shot didn’t just race — she paved the way for future generations, and in doing so became one of the most influential producers the province has known.

The extraordinary journey of Crackers Hot Shot — once overlooked, now revered — stands as one of Alberta’s finest success stories in harness racing and breeding.

Born in humble circumstances and initially considered rough around the edges, Crackers Hot Shot overcame long odds to carve out a career that would forever impact the province’s racing industry. From a “wild, unhandled filly” to Alberta’s “Horse of the Year” in 2013, to producing foals who carry her spirit and fortitude into future generations.

Her influence ripples through Alberta’s racing and breeding landscape: from how young stock are prepared, to the aspirations of local breeders who now look to “the mare that did it” as proof that world-class talent can emerge from Alberta’s paddocks.

“Crackers Hot Shot, she had a tough start. She wasn’t much to look at when we first got her” — Rod Starkewski

“Crackers Hot Shot was left on her own – Carl Archibald heard us talking, he said ‘I’ll go get her – I live by there’. I think it took him 3 days to dig her out of the snow. She was completely wild – then we just started working on her. She really needed some humans to work with her – and get to know that people are not scary.” — Jackie Starkewski

“Crackers Hot Shot would be one of the top broodmares in Albeta percentage wise if nothing else. Her foals hit the track – they’re looking for the winners circle every time.” — Connie Kolthammer

Visit thehorses.com to learn more about Alberta’s Horse Racing industry.

Also Interesting

KYC in Casino Gaming

Published on October 18, 2025

Todayville

KYC, which means “Know Your Customer,” has become one of the most important systems in casino gaming today. In the early days of online gambling, players could simply sign up, deposit money, and start playing without giving much personal information. But as online casinos grew, so did the need to confirm who was playing, how they were paying, and where their funds came from.

This change was not sudden. It came through years of regulation, fraud cases, and technological improvement. Even $3 minimum deposit casinos now use KYC to make sure their players are verified and protected.

How KYC Began in Casino Gaming

In the late 1990s the internet was still in its early days, and online casinos came into the picture with hardly any rules regarding identity verification. Security was not a primary concern for gambling platforms, which were mainly occupied with game development and player attraction.

Fraud and underage gambling activities were rampant at that time. Stolen credit cards were being used by some players while others were using fake identities to get through age restrictions.

Regulators soon pointed out that a total lack of control could lead to bigger issues like money laundering and illegal transfers. So, new rules were imposed by the government and one of them was to get the casinos to collect the most basic player information including name, address, and date of birth.

These details, however, did not do much to prove that the players were actually human beings. Nevertheless, it was still very far from what KYC would later turn into.

The Rise of KYC Laws and Regulation

As online gaming spread across Europe and other regions, regulators made stricter laws. They wanted casinos to take responsibility for who was playing on their platforms.

Around the mid-2000s, KYC laws became mandatory for any casino that held a license. This meant players had to submit documents like passports or utility bills to prove their identity and location.

It was not always smooth. Many players disliked sending personal documents online, especially when the internet still had many privacy risks. Casinos also found it challenging to process thousands of verification requests.

But as technology improved, so did trust. Encryption became stronger, and online platforms became safer. This marked the true beginning of proper KYC systems in casino gaming.

Why KYC Became So Important

The goal of KYC is simple. It makes sure gambling stays safe, legal, and fair. With KYC, casinos can stop criminals from using their platforms to clean illegal money.

It also protects players by preventing identity theft and underage gaming. Over time, players began to understand that KYC was not just about restrictions. It was about protection.

A verified account means that a casino can return funds to the rightful owner if there is any problem. It also helps regulators ensure that every transaction is transparent and traceable.

In short, KYC built the bridge of trust between casinos and their players.

Technology Transformed the KYC Process

KYC was initially a hand-operated process. Players needed to upload their document’s scanned copies. The casino personnel then manually checked them. This process could last for days and even weeks sometimes.

However, technology has completely altered that scenario. Currently, most of the casinos make use of KYC automatic verification systems powered by AI.

These systems can read and verify an ID within seconds. The system checks its authenticity and even compares the image to a selfie taken by the player.

There are also some casinos that go for biometric verification as well. Players use their fingerprints or facial recognition to verify their identity.

Moreover, blockchain technology has started to play a role in KYC. The use of blockchain ensures safe storage of identity data. Players can provide it to the casinos without having to resend the same information over and over again.

This not only saves time but also keeps user data secure.

Challenges That Still Exist

Even though KYC has come a long way, it is not perfect. Some players still struggle with the verification process, especially in countries where official identification is hard to get.

Others worry about data security and how casinos store their personal information. Casinos face the challenge of balancing speed and safety.

They need to verify players quickly without making the process so strict that it drives them away. The rise of global players also means casinos must follow different KYC laws in different countries. This can be complex to manage.

The Future of KYC in Casino Gaming

The next stage of KYC looks even more advanced. Artificial intelligence will continue to play a huge role. It will help casinos detect fake IDs and spot suspicious activity automatically.

We may also see more global identity databases. They will make cross-border verification easier and safer.

In the future, players could control their own KYC data through secure digital wallets. They can choose which casino to share their identity with. This will keep privacy fully in their hands.

With this kind of progress, both players and casinos win.

How KYC Strengthens the Trust Between Players and Casino

KYC has undergone a radical transformation from being a mere requirement to being the mainstay of trust in online gambling. It is the one that assures clean money, fairness in games, and safety for players. Online gambling would otherwise be a scene of chaos, fraud, and continuous disputes.

KYC compliance and casinos having better verification systems are proving to be very active in promoting and maintaining the integrity and transparency of the industry. KYC has transitioned from being merely a concept to being a pillar, and it continues to regulate the gaming world.

The casino gaming universe is in a state of flux and the pace is quicker than ever. KYC is among the main reasons for this. It is the backbone of a safe, fair, and responsible gambling practice. It not only protects players but also the gaming platform, thus providing a trust-building environment for the online gaming industry to expand.