The order, effective 6 March, barred Alberta Gaming Lottery & Cannabis (AGLC) from purchasing gaming terminals, including slot machines and video lottery terminals, from US-based suppliers.

It follows Canada rolling out various retaliatory measures against the US, after president Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on trade with its North American neighbour last month, set to be implemented in April.

The state agency said: “AGLC will prioritise procurement on companies that have support services in Alberta, Canada, or with countries that we share a free trade agreement with.

“Additionally, AGLC remains committed to our world class technical and compliance support in all gaming networks, with no interruption to service.”

Despite the ban on new units, the AGLC clarified it will for now continue to purchase spare parts and maintain its lease-hold operations.

Speaking to The Nevada Independent, Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers executive director Daron Dorsey said the trade body was assessing how best to navigate the trade directive, and that he has planned meetings with the association’s members this week.

He said: “These policy decisions and responses affect many industries beyond gaming for both the near and longer term. Our gaming suppliers will manage and adjust to this new normal as best they can.”

The newspaper also reported industry fears other Canadian provinces will follow Alberta’s lead on the measure, although none has so far indicated that they would.

According to analysts at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, Alberta accounts for approximately 4% of sales for major US suppliers, with the province purchasing 4,000 slot machines and lottery terminals per year.