Nova Scotia Reviews Ontario and Alberta Models

Nova Scotia is reviewing the regulatory models used by Ontario and Alberta while it considers expanding its online gambling framework. Finance Minister John Lohr confirmed that discussions on the matter are ongoing.

Lohr described offshore operators and the province's limited capacity to monitor their activities as a serious problem. The accessibility of unregulated platforms also stands out as one of the government's main challenges.

Regulated online gambling began in Ontario in April 2022. Alberta moved to this model in July 2026. Nova Scotia currently has one government-approved platform in operation. It is run by Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) and offers online casino games and sports betting.

New Democratic Party leader Claudia Chender urged the government to proceed with caution, pointing to the consequences of a growing public sector role in this industry. Interim Liberal leader Iain Rankin called for a public health risk assessment before the market is expanded.