New Brunswick reviews private online gambling models

The province has set no timeline and named no preferred approach, as Ontario and Alberta already license private operators.

Key takeaways

• New Brunswick is reviewing possible regulatory models for private online gambling operators, which could end Atlantic Lottery Corporation’s exclusive position in the province’s legal online market.
• Finance Minister René Legacy confirmed the review to Brunswick News; no timeline or preferred approach has been announced.
• Government spokesperson David Kelly said officials are studying other provinces and jurisdictions to keep gambling safe, responsible and appropriately regulated.
• The province has not decided whether to allow private operators.

Canada.- New Brunswick is reviewing possible regulatory models for private online gambling operators, a move that could end Atlantic Lottery Corporation’s exclusive position in the province’s legal internet gaming market. Finance Minister René Legacy confirmed the review in a statement to Brunswick News, but the government has not announced a timeline or a preferred approach.

“Online gaming is continuously evolving and the number of options, regulated and unregulated, continues to grow,” Legacy said.

Government spokesperson David Kelly said officials are examining developments in other provinces and jurisdictions to determine how gambling can remain safe, responsible and appropriately regulated. Ontario and now Alberta have markets open to licensed private companies. New Brunswick’s review has yet to establish whether the province will their steps.

Ontario opened its regulated online gambling market on April 4, 2022. Private operators must register with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and enter into an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario. Alberta launched its regulated market on July 13, 2026, initially with 22 approved sites. The number of licensed sites subsequently reached 50 around the October 13 deadline for previously unregulated operators to enter the regulated market or leave the province.

In July, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) penalised the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation and the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation for violating federal anti-money laundering and terrorist financing laws. New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation was fined CA$399,712.50 (US$289,400) for failing to report suspicious transactions that indicated possible connections to money laundering or terrorism financing. The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation was fined CA$231,826 (US$167,800) in relation to three administrative mistakes. One of these was not reporting suspicious transactions that might have been linked to money laundering or terrorist financing.