Nova Scotia weighs opening online gambling market as it studies Ontario and Alberta

Nova Scotia is considering whether to widen its regulated online gambling market, and the provincial government says it is closely monitoring the experience of Ontario and Alberta before deciding. Finance Minister John Lohr confirmed that discussions are in progress, according to Global News.

"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. He described the easy availability of platforms operating outside provincial regulation as a significant concern, particularly because of the limited ability of authorities to monitor activity and address addiction-related harm on such sites.

At present, Nova Scotia has a single government-authorized online platform, run by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, which offers casino games and sports betting. Ontario opened its regulated online market, which allows private operators, in April 2022, and Alberta followed in July 2026 with a similar private-operator framework.

Not all political figures support expansion. New Democratic Party Leader Claudia Chender has asked the government to proceed carefully and raised concerns about the consequences of deeper government involvement in online gambling. Interim Liberal Leader Iain Rankin has urged officials to carry out a public health risk assessment before considering any legislative change.

Health data from Ontario has fed the debate. A study by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences found that emergency department visits linked to gambling disorders had doubled since the province regulated online gambling and introduced single-event sports betting. Dr. Peter Selby of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health highlighted risks to young people, noting survey results showing the share of Ontario high school students reporting online gambling rose from 1% in 2019 to 9% in 2026.

Ontario's latest figures show the scale of the market Nova Scotia is looking at. iGaming Ontario reported total wagers of CAD 9.71 billion ($6.95 billion) in September 2026, up 13.6% year on year. Gross gaming revenue before adjustments rose 26.2% to CAD 416.3 million ($298 million). Online casino games generated CAD 340.8 million ($244 million), while sports betting brought in CAD 69.1 million ($49.4 million), a rise of 47.3% from September 2025. The province also recorded 1.41 million active player accounts, up 20.1% from a year earlier.