New Brunswick lawmakers have introduced legislation to amend the Gaming Control Act, proposing the regulation of live casino games within the province. This move aims to expand online offerings provided by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation and enhance player protection, according to government officials.
What Happened
The New Brunswick government announced plans to update its gambling regulations by introducing a new bill that would specifically allow for the regulation of live casino games, according to GamblingNews. This proposed legislation, if passed, would amend the province’s Gaming Control Act, enabling the local government to oversee online live casino events. Currently, online gaming in New Brunswick is offered exclusively through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC), a multi-province, government-owned entity (GamblingNews).
Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin stated that updating the legislation is crucial for player safety, emphasizing the need for governments to adapt to the evolving gaming industry. Finance and Treasury Board Minister René Legacy added that these changes would permit the government to meet player demand in a secure manner (GamblingNews). The proposed changes come in response to a proposal from the ALC, which argued that these regulatory updates would allow the government to “maintain safeguards through regulations,” as reported by GamblingNews.
Key Details
- New Brunswick’s government has tabled a bill to amend the Gaming Control Act to permit the regulation of live casino games (GamblingNews, gnb.ca).
- The proposed changes do not introduce commercial iGaming but expand the product roster offered by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) (GamblingNews).
- Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin stated the legislation aims to improve player protection and channelize gamblers from unlicensed sites to the regulated market (GamblingNews).
- Finance and Treasury Board Minister René Legacy indicated these updates would ensure new gaming options are developed responsibly and meet player needs safely (GamblingNews).
Why It Matters
This legislative proposal signifies an adaptation by New Brunswick to the evolving landscape of online gaming, particularly the growing popularity of live casino offerings. By regulating these games, the province aims to provide a safer, regulated alternative to currently available unlicensed options, potentially improving channelization rates (GamblingNews). Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin indicated that regulating live casino games could divert players from unregulated platforms to the legal market, aligning with responsible gaming objectives (GamblingNews).
The move also reflects a broader trend among Canadian provinces, reportedly influenced by the success of Ontario’s regulated iGaming market and Alberta’s recent launch, to explore expanding their online gaming frameworks (GamblingNews). While New Brunswick maintains a monopoly model through the ALC for its current online games of chance, officials are reportedly considering commercial iGaming to potentially boost provincial revenue and replicate the success seen in other jurisdictions (GamblingNews).
Sources & References
Main source
- GamblingNewsNew Brunswick Bill Proposes Legalizing Live Casino Games (opens in a new tab)gamblingnews.com
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Additional references
- casinoreports.comBill To Set Live Dealer IGaming Rules Filed In New Brunswick (opens in a new tab)
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- igaminghouse.netProyecto de ley 8 de Nueva Brunswick abre la vía para casinos en vivo regulados (opens in a new tab)
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