Nova Scotia Finance Minister John Lohr has said discussions are "underway right now" about potentially expanding online casino and sports betting in the province, following the examples of Ontario and Alberta.
He noted that Nova Scotians are already gambling on websites regulated in Ontario or operated offshore, meaning the province could be missing out on potential tax revenue.
However, Lohr acknowledged that the accessibility of online gambling presents challenges, including concerns about advertisements reaching minors.
He emphasized that Nova Scotia has not yet committed to an expansion.
Opposition leaders have raised concerns about the proposal, urging the Government to proceed cautiously and conduct a thorough assessment of the potential social and public health risks before expanding online gambling.
New Brunswick also explores private online gambling options
Nova Scotia is not the only province considering changes to its online gambling market. Alberta recently opened its market to private operators while New Brunswick is also reviewing options for regulating private online gambling operators.
New Brunswick Finance Minister René Legacy confirmed the review in a statement to Brunswick News. He said online gambling is evolving as both regulated and unregulated options continue to expand.
Government spokesperson David Kelly said the province is monitoring approaches in other jurisdictions while considering how to maintain a safe, responsible and appropriately regulated gambling market. No timeline or preferred regulatory model has been announced.
Atlantic Lottery extending online casino offering and reach
Earlier this week, New Brunswick also introduced Bill 8, legislation aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for online live casino games featuring human dealers and players participating in real time.
The proposal follows a live casino concept put forward by Atlantic Lottery, which already operates online gambling services in the province.
Online gambling offerings are also expanding elsewhere in Atlantic Canada. Over the summer, Atlantic Lottery opened its online casino platform to residents of Prince Edward Island, allowing anyone with a local phone number or address to access its online casino games.
Ontario opens Niagara casino market to new operators
Meanwhile, in the land-based sector, the Ontario Government and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) have launched a process to attract new casino operators to Niagara. The initiative marks the next stage of the province's Destination Niagara Strategy.
Initially, a maximum of three new operators will be permitted to enter the market. Further expansion could follow after a fixed 10-year period, depending on factors such as tourism indicators and operator performance.
We spoke to Canadian Gaming Association President Paul Burns about new regulatory horizons, with Burns expecting more to come after a busy few months for Canadian gaming. The full interview will feature in our December magazine
