A bill has been introduced to the New Brunswick legislative assembly aimed at establishing authority to make regulations around live online casino events. A live casino is an interactive gaming platform where people can play a mix of online table games on a computer or mobile device. The games go on in real time with human dealers and other online players. “As gaming continues to evolve, legislation must keep pace to ensure games continue to be regulated and responsible, and that rules are effective and clear,” says Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin in a news release. Current legislation under the Gaming Control Act does not give the government regulation-making authority over live casino events, a concept proposed by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. The Government of Canada points to new apps and online sites as a reason behind increasing availability for gambling opportunities. “The introduction of new gambling technologies, such as online poker and sports betting, has amplified the importance of more regular and detailed monitoring,” the government states. This month, the Atlantic Lottery said it’s facing new challenges due to the rapid growth of illegal online gambling. The Atlantic Lottery has also expressed desires to increase its market share of total online betting over five years to reach 50 per cent of the regional gaming market. New Brunswick’s Finance and Treasury Board Minister René Legacy says modernizing the Gaming Control Act is about keeping up with how gaming is changing. “These updates will ensure that new gaming options are developed responsibly and continue to meet the needs of players in a safe and regulated way,” he says. The province says regulations will be introduced at a later date. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
