Bill 8 in New Brunswick opens path for regulated live casino games

The government of the Province of New Brunswick introduced Bill 8, which amends the Gaming Control Act to create a legal framework to regulate online casino games presented by live dealers. The bill received first reading in the Legislative Assembly on 27 October 2026 and, at this stage, has not come into force nor does it include the detailed regulations that would define its operation.

What Bill 8 proposes

The text introduces new definitions for "online casino lottery schemes" and "live casino lottery schemes". Under the bill, a live casino lottery scheme would cover online casino‑style games that are hosted, facilitated or presented by a person in real time — that is, table games where players interact with human dealers via a website or a mobile application.

The bill would empower the provincial government to set specific regulations that were not previously contemplated in the Gaming Control Act. Those regulatory rules have not yet been published, so the current text does not set an effective start date or concrete operational requirements for live dealer games.

Authority to operate through a provincial agency

Bill 8 would allow the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation, with government approval, to enter an agreement to designate a qualified corporate body as an agency of the provincial government responsible for operating an online casino scheme, including the live casino games modality. The bill does not create a general licensing regime for private commercial operators.

New Brunswick currently identifies ALC.ca as its legal, regulated online gaming platform, and Bill 8 extends government authority within that framework rather than opening a private commercial market.

Provincial positioning and official statements

The Minister of Public Safety, Robert Gauvin, justified the legislative update from a consumer‑protection perspective. > "Reviewing and updating legislation is an important part of keeping New Brunswickers safe," said Robert Gauvin. "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."

The Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, René Legacy, said modernization aims to respond to the evolution of gaming products. > "Modernizing the Gaming Control Act is about keeping up with how gaming is changing," René Legacy said. "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."

Operational context and scope

Atlantic Lottery Corporation already offers digital gaming products in New Brunswick and was the proponent of the live casino concept that prompted the legislative change. Atlantic Lottery Corporation provides digital instant games, iBingo and online casino products in the province. The regional corporation is co‑owned by New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island.

The government links the initiative to greater availability of online alternatives outside the provincial regulated system. Gauvin said that with a more varied online offering, live casinos are gaining popularity and that regulating these games would "provide a safer alternative to unregulated offerings in the province." The bill also contemplates expanded powers to make regulations for online casino schemes operated through a government agency and adjustments to how certain licence fees might be calculated and imposed, without the text determining a final fee structure.

Next steps and commencement

Bill 8 remains at an early stage of the legislative process. It must continue through the Legislative Assembly to become law. Provisions on commencement would allow enacted sections to come into force on dates set by proclamation, while regulations governing the operation of live casino games would be made separately when the government publishes them.

For earlier reporting on the Atlantic Lottery Corporation’s digital expansion and its operations in New Brunswick, see related items in the site’s [regulation](/regulation) and [news](/news) sections.