Gaming in Canada is governed by the Criminal Code of Canada. Under that statute, generally speaking, gambling is unlawful unless it is conducted and managed by the province (or a body authorized by the province to license gaming on its behalf) or licensed by a provincial government.
Gaming in New Brunswick
Specifically, section 207 allows:
- The government of a province to conduct and manage lottery schemes in accordance with any law enacted by the legislature of that province. [paragraph 207(1)(a)]
- A licensed charitable or religious organization to conduct and manage a lottery scheme in that province if the proceeds from the lottery scheme are used for a charitable or religious object or purpose. [paragraph 207(1)(b)]
- A licensed board of a fair or of an exhibition, or an operator of a concession leased by that board, to conduct and manage a lottery scheme in that province. [paragraph 207(1)(c)]
Under the Gaming Control Act, the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC) is responsible for the conduct and management of all provincial gaming as required by paragraph 207(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada. The Gaming, Liquor and Security Licensing Branch, of the Department of Public Safety, is responsible for the regulation and control of provincial gaming as well as the regulation, control and licensing of charitable gaming in the province.
Types of Gaming
There are two casinos in New Brunswick.
Casino New Brunswick is located in the city of Moncton and offers slots, poker and other table games. Casino New Brunswick is operated by a private operator, the Great Canadian Gaming (New Brunswick) Ltd. on behalf of NBLGC. Casino New Brunswick opened in May of 2010.
Grey Rock Casino is located on the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation (Edmundston) and offers slots, electronic table games and Poker. Grey Rock Casino is operated by a private operator, the Grey Rock Entertainment Centre Inc.on behalf of NBLGC. Grey Rock Casino opened in March of 2015
Quick Facts:
- The NBLGC is responsible for managing service provider agreements with casino operators.
- The Gaming Control Branch with the Department of Justice and Public Safety is responsible for the regulation of casino gaming, which includes the registration requirements of gaming suppliers and gaming assistants.
Video Lottery provides an interactive way to play games of chance and win small cash prizes. You can find Video Lottery terminals (VLTs) in licensed liquor establishments like restaurants and bars across New Brunswick. The ALC is owned by the four Atlantic Provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island), operates the video lottery program on behalf of the Province.
Quick Facts:
- VLTs were introduced in New Brunswick in 1990.
- The maximum number of VLTs permitted in the province is 2,000 and the maximum number of VLT sites in the province is 300.
- The Department of Justice and Public Safety, is responsible for the regulation of video lottery, which includes the registration requirements of video lottery siteholders.
Lottery gaming (e.g. Scratch’N Win tickets, 6/49, Lotto Max, etc.) is operated by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC). The ALC is a crown corporation owned by the four Atlantic provinces, which include New Brunswick (represented by the NBLGC), Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island.
In addition to being a shareholder in the ALC, the NBLGC is also a shareholder in the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC). The ALC handles and markets the products of the ILC. The ILC is a jointly owned corporation of the 10 Canadian provinces. Its products include “Lotto Max” and “Lotto 6/49” – both of which are national lottery games.
Quick Facts:
- Lottery gaming has been authorized in New Brunswick since 1976.
- The NBLGC does not directly operate ticket lotteries. The ALC operates provincial lottery schemes on behalf of the Province, which include the traditional lottery programs, breakopen games, sports betting products and instant win scratch tickets.
Atlantic Lottery Corporation currently offers online digital gaming experiences through its iGaming platform. Some of the available offerings include the Digital Instants, iBingo and most recently, iCasino.
Quick Fact:
- ALC.ca is the only legal and regulated online gambling platform in New Brunswick.
Charitable gaming has long been an important source of revenue for many charities and religious organizations. Eligible charitable and religious organizations are able to obtain a license to conduct events such as bingos, bingo event breakopen ticket sales, raffles, breakopen ticket sales, Monte Carlo events and Texas Hold 'em Poker tournaments. Proceeds from charitable gaming must be used for the relief of poverty, education, advancement of religion or a purpose beneficial to the community.
The Department of Justice and Public Safety is responsible for the regulation, control and licensing of charitable gaming in the Province.
Quick Facts:
- A provincial licensing program for charitable gaming (Bingos, raffles, draws, etc.) was introduced in fiscal 1980-1981.
- Charitable Texas Hold'em Poker tournaments were introduced in May 2008.
Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing in Canada is regulated and supervised by the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada). The NBLGC is not directly involved in this form of gaming.
Quick Facts:
- Horse racing in New Brunswick dates back to the early 1830's.
- The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency regulates and supervises pari-mutuel betting on horse racing at racetracks across Canada.
- The Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission is responsible for governing, regulating and supervising harness racing in all its forms relevant and related to pari-mutuel betting in the Maritime Provinces.