EDMONTON -- The economic downturn is hurting Alberta's gambling industry, says an executive who oversees two casinos in Edmonton.

Al Wilson, vice-president of operations for Baccarat Casino downtown and the Palace Casino in West Edmonton Mall, said business has slowed at both locations and he expects it to continue until early 2009.

"We've seen a slight downturn for sure," Wilson said. "Maybe not as much as other industries have, but it certainly has levelled off and perhaps gone down a little."

Though he is concerned by the current economic situation, Wilson said he's pretty sure all casinos in Alberta have felt the impact.

In fact, the gambling industry in North America seems to have been affected, according to Garry Smith, a gambling research specialist at the University of Alberta.

"In the bigger picture, all the publicly traded gaming companies, their stocks are down," Smith said.

The gambling mecca Las Vegas, in particular, has been hard hit because people have been travelling less and spending less. And Smith predicts business is down at all destination resorts. However, he said it's too early to see exactly what effect the economy has had on gambling in Alberta, adding that the annual report recently released by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission does not reflect what is happening right now.

The commission's spokesman, Lynn Hutchings-Mah, agreed it's too early to see the impact, adding she didn't want to speculate.

Smith said he's seen a decline of the gambling industry in the province for a long time, but it may be due to factors other than the economy.

Bingo and horse racing have both dropped off because of dwindling interest. Casino-going as a whole has dropped because, with Edmonton now at seven casinos, the city has reached a saturation point.

But machine gambling, particularly slot machines, are going strong.

"Many people with gambling problems are addicted to the machines. And they're still pouring a lot of money into them," Smith said.

Those with addiction problems will continue to gamble, whether the economy is good or bad, said Ray Reshke, executive director of the Problem Gambling Resources Network.

"People who have issues with gambling will try to chase their losses. That's the characteristic of a problem gambler."