Add StudioX as a preferred source on GoogleNew Brunswick has introduced legislation to amend its Gaming Control Act, granting provincial regulators the authority to oversee online live casino games, according to a report by Casino.org. The legislative update comes as the provincial government considers broader changes to its digital gambling framework, including the potential opening of its market to private commercial operators.
Currently, legal online gambling in New Brunswick is offered exclusively through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC). The proposal to introduce live casino games originated directly from the ALC, with detailed rules and regulations expected to be formulated at a later date. Under the province’s existing legislation, the government lacks the explicit authority required to establish regulations for live online casino events.
Enhancing Oversight for Evolving Online Games
Provincial cabinet ministers stated that modernizing the legislation is designed to ensure player safety as digital gaming formats evolve. Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin noted that reviewing and updating current laws is “an important part of keeping New Brunswickers safe,” helping to maintain clear and effective regulations across all gaming platforms.
Gauvin explained that live casino offerings—which include real-time digital versions of table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat—are expanding in popularity among players. He stressed that introducing formal provincial regulations for these games will provide residents with a safer alternative to unregulated offshore gambling platforms.
Finance and Treasury Board Minister René Legacy noted that updating the Gaming Control Act is about keeping pace with rapid shifts in how people engage with gambling. Legacy stated that the proposed updates aim to ensure that emerging online gaming choices are designed responsibly while meeting player needs within a secure environment.
Potential Shift Toward Commercial Gambling
The legislative amendment coincides with discussions about expanding New Brunswick’s broader digital gaming market. Reporting from the Telegraph-Journal cited by Casino.org indicated that on Oct. 21, the provincial government confirmed it was exploring options to legalise commercial iGaming. If implemented, New Brunswick would allow private commercial operators to compete alongside the ALC.
If New Brunswick decides to adopt a regulated commercial market, it would follow models already established in Ontario and Alberta. In Ontario, commercial online casino platforms dominate the market. Financial results released by iGaming Ontario for September showed that online casino offerings—encompassing live dealer games, table games, and online slots—generated CA$340.8 million in revenue, capturing an 82 per cent market share.
The proposed amendments to New Brunswick’s Gaming Control Act seek to establish the necessary regulatory safeguards before any new live online casino offerings are officially launched in the province.
Source: Casino.org
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