Nova Scotia Considers Online Gambling Expansion

Nova Scotia is considering whether to open its online gambling market to private operators, following similar changes in Ontario and Alberta. Finance Minister John Lohr confirmed that discussions are underway, although the province has not announced any regulatory changes.

Good to know

• Nova Scotia is reviewing the regulated online gambling models introduced in Ontario and Alberta.
• Ontario research found that gambling-related emergency department visits nearly doubled following gambling market expansion.
• Opposition leaders want public health risks assessed before Nova Scotia allows more online casino and sports betting operators.

Gambling Addiction Data Raises Questions Over Expansion

Ontario offers a warning for provinces considering a competitive online gambling market.

A September 2026 study by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) found that emergency department visits involving gambling disorders were 99% higher than expected by the end of the study period.

The increase affected younger men most. Visits among males aged 10 to 29 were 154% above expected levels, while the figure reached 116% for men aged 30 to 44. Researchers examined 952 emergency visits involving 757 people over 14 years.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Selby from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health pointed to another concern. Ontario surveys found that online gambling participation among high school students increased from 1% in 2019 to approximately 9% in 2026.

The research adds a public health consideration to the debate over expanding regulated gambling in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia Weighs Ontario and Alberta Gambling Models

For now, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation operates the only government-authorized online gambling platform in Nova Scotia, offering online casino games and sports betting.

However, residents can also access offshore gambling websites that operate without provincial authorization. Lohr believes the availability of these platforms creates problems for consumer protection and gambling addiction prevention.

The province currently has limited control over gambling activity on those websites, including how operators handle player protection measures.

“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 introduced its competitive iGaming market in April 2022. Alberta followed in July 2026, becoming the second Canadian province to permit private operators under a provincial licensing framework.

Such a system could give Nova Scotia greater oversight of participating operators through licensing requirements, player verification, responsible gambling controls, and compliance monitoring. However, licensing would not automatically prevent residents from accessing offshore platforms.

Political opposition remains another obstacle.

New Democratic Party Leader Claudia Chender urged caution over greater government involvement in online gambling. Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin wants the government to conduct a public health risk assessment before considering any expansion.

The post Nova Scotia Considers Online Gambling Expansion appeared first on iGaming.org.