A bill was introduced Tuesday to amend New Brunswick‘s Gaming Control Act and give the provincial government authority to regulate online live casino games.
The news comes one week after officials said they are exploring whether to open the province’s online gambling market to private operators.
“Reviewing and updating legislation is an important part of keeping New Brunswickers safe,” Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin said in a statement. “As gaming continues to evolve, legislation must keep pace to ensure games continue to be regulated and responsible, and that rules are effective and clear.”
Atlantic Lottery currently holds a monopoly on legal online gambling in New Brunswick. However, Finance Minister René Legacy told Brunswick News last week that the government is “exploring options around regulating private online operators.”
Two Canadian provinces have already opened their online casino and sports betting markets to private operators. Ontario launched its market in 2022, and Alberta followed this July.
Details on the proposed legislation
Current law does not give New Brunswick the authority to regulate live casino games, a concept proposed by Atlantic Lottery with regulations to come at a later date. The bill would give the government that authority.
Live casino games are online table games played in real time with human dealers and other players. Notably, the statement does not mention any other kind of game found at online casinos, like slots.
“With a greater variety of online offerings, live casinos are growing in popularity,” Gauvin said. “Regulating these types of games will provide a safer alternative to unregulated offerings in the province.”
The government said the authority would allow it to create and maintain safeguards through regulation as the gaming industry evolves.
“These updates will ensure that new gaming options are developed responsibly and continue to meet the needs of players in a safe and regulated way,” Legacy said.
Could more provinces join?
With the proposal to regulate these games coming from the Atlantic Lottery, that could lead to other provinces following suit.
The Atlantic Lottery provides lottery services to four provinces, including Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
New Brunswick losing revenue
Since Ontario and Alberta opened their markets, advertising from operators licensed in those provinces has reached New Brunswick residents, especially through national broadcasts.
Those operators cannot legally serve New Brunswick, and neither can local bookies. However, residents searching for those brands are often redirected to the companies’ international sites. It is not a crime for New Brunswickers to bet on those sites or on offshore platforms.
Atlantic Lottery estimates the province is losing C$250 million a year to illegal gambling, according to Brunswick News. Government documents show provincial lottery revenue is down C$8 million from two years ago.
“The growth of illegal online gambling has fundamentally changed the competitive landscape,” Atlantic Lottery spokesperson Greg Weston told Brunswick News.
Finance and Treasury Board spokesperson David Kelly added that the province is monitoring approaches in other markets to “maintain a safe, responsible, and appropriately regulated gaming environment for New Brunswickers.”
