New Brunswick has introduced legislation that would establish a framework for online live casino games in the Canadian province. Bill 8, an amendment to the Gaming Control Act, received first reading on 27 October. It remains a proposal and has not yet changed the rules governing those games.
The bill defines a live casino lottery scheme as an online casino scheme in which casino-style games are hosted, facilitated or presented by a live person.
A separate definition covers online casino schemes conducted and managed by the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation through an online platform.
Subject to cabinet approval, the corporation would be able to enter an agreement designating a qualifying corporate body as a provincial government agency to operate an online casino scheme, including live casino.
The bill also expands regulation-making powers to cover schemes operated by a government agency and proposes changes to how certain licence fees may be calculated and paid.
The provincial government said the legislation responds to a live casino concept proposed by Atlantic Lottery. The operator already offers digital instant games, iBingo and online casino products in New Brunswick.
The government says the existing Act does not provide authority to establish regulations specifically for live casino games, which would feature human dealers and other players in real time.
Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin said the proposed authority would allow the province to develop safeguards for the format. Finance and Treasury Board Minister René Legacy said the updates would support the responsible development of new gaming options.
Detailed regulations have not yet been published and would be introduced later.
New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation oversees provincial gaming, while Atlantic Lottery operates online gaming on its behalf.
The province says ALC.ca is currently its only legal and regulated online gambling platform. Bill 8 does not itself open a licensing route for private online operators.
The legislative timetable remains open. The Assembly lists the bill at first reading, and its commencement clause says any enacted provisions would come into force on dates set by proclamation. That leaves the eventual rules for live casino operation, including their timing, to later legislative and regulatory steps.
The bill follows New Brunswick's wider examination of online gambling regulation. Earlier this month, the province said it was reviewing options for private operators, without announcing a preferred model or timetable.
Atlantic Lottery is jointly owned by New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island
