Nova Scotia is examining whether to expand its online gambling market as provincial officials assess developments in Ontario and Alberta. Finance Minister John Lohr confirmed that discussions are taking place, while opposition leaders have called for caution over the potential health consequences. The debate involves gambling activity that residents already access outside the province’s regulated system, as well as the question of how greater government involvement could affect players.
Offshore Gambling Raises Oversight Questions
Atlantic Lottery Corporation currently operates Nova Scotia’s only government-authorized online gambling platform, offering online casino games and sports betting. Residents can also access offshore websites that fall outside provincial regulation.
Lohr raised concerns about the availability of these services and the province’s limited oversight of the activity they attract. He also highlighted the potential consequences for people who develop gambling problems. The issue follows earlier concerns about online gambling marketing in Atlantic Canada.
“We’re watching what’s happening in Ontario and Alberta, in particular, very carefully. And obviously, those are conversations that are underway right now,” Lohr said.
Ontario opened its regulated online gambling market to private operators in April 2022. Alberta launched its market on July 13, 2026. Both provinces allow private companies to offer online casino games and sports betting under provincial oversight.
These markets give Nova Scotia examples to examine as officials consider possible changes to its existing framework. Lohr’s comments place access to unregulated websites and the associated health concerns within those discussions.
Opposition Calls for a Health Assessment
Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin called for a public health risk assessment before the province expands gambling services. NDP Leader Claudia Chender also expressed concern about increasing the government’s involvement in online gambling.
“I think that we should tread very, very carefully before we get more into that business as a government,” she said.
Research from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences found that Ontario emergency department visits related to gambling disorders had doubled since the expansion of regulated online gambling and the legalization of single-event sports wagering.
Dr. Peter Selby, a senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, highlighted risks affecting younger people. Ontario high school surveys showed that the proportion of students reporting online gambling increased from about 1% in 2019 to approximately 9% in 2026.
Selby raised concerns about age verification and the promotion of sports betting through public figures. Gambling advertising has also attracted regulatory attention, including Ontario’s restrictions on athletes appearing in gambling advertisements.
September Figures Show Growth in Both Markets
Ontario reported CA$9.71 billion in online wagers during September, an increase of 13.6% compared with the same month a year earlier.
Online casino games generated CA$340.8 million in revenue from CA$8.50 billion in wagers. Sports betting revenue increased 47.3% year over year to CA$69.1 million. Active player accounts reached a record 1.41 million, representing annual growth of 20.1%.
Alberta’s September figures covered a much newer regulated market. Wagers totalled CA$1.28 billion, compared with CA$1.06 billion in August. Non-adjusted gross gaming revenue rose 30.7% month over month to CA$56.6 million, with casino games accounting for CA$42.8 million..
The province completed its transition period on October 13 with 29 operators and 50 brands approved to participate. Under Alberta’s model, the provincial General Revenue Fund receives 20% of private operators’ net revenue. A further allocation earmarks 1% of gross gaming revenue for responsible gambling initiatives, alongside the province’s broader work on gambling addiction support.
Source:
Nova Scotia weighs risks of online gambling as other provinces expand access, globalnews.ca, October 30, 2026