Politics · Canada · 7 hrs ago
Nova Scotia weighs online gambling expansion amid health concerns
Nova Scotia is discussing whether to expand online gambling as it watches changes in Ontario and Alberta.
The province currently has one government-authorized online gambling platform, operated by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation.
Finance Minister John Lohr says people can also access thousands of unregulated gambling sites online, and he is concerned about health harms.
A study released last month suggested gambling-related emergency visits doubled in Ontario after online gambling expanded and single-event sports betting was legalized.
An addiction scientist said young people are at particular risk; a survey found online gambling among Ontario high school students rose from about 1 per cent in 2019 to about 9 per cent now.
Nova Scotia opposition leaders urge caution, with the Liberal leader calling for a public health risk assessment before any expansion; government discussions are underway.
Nova Scotia is discussing whether to expand online gambling, while watching how other provinces have opened their markets.
The only government-authorized and regulated online gambling platform in the province is operated by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation.
Finance Minister John Lohr said Nova Scotians can access thousands of unregulated gambling sites online and warned of potential harms.
Opposition leaders called for caution, with the interim Liberal leader saying a public health risk assessment should come first.
A study released last month suggested gambling-disorder emergency department visits in Ontario had doubled since online gambling expanded and single-event sports betting was legalized.
- Who
- The Nova Scotia government, including Finance Minister John Lohr, is discussing expansion. Opposition leaders Claudia Chender and Iain Rankin urged caution.
- What
- The province is considering expanding online gambling services.
- When
- The discussions are underway as of October 30, 2026.
- Where
- Nova Scotia, Canada.
- Why
- The government is watching developments in other provinces and is aware that residents use unregulated gambling sites. Lohr also cited potential health harms.
Nova Scotia government
Nova Scotia opposition leaders
Expansion
Nova Scotia government
The government says discussions are underway and is watching how Ontario and Alberta have expanded online gambling.
Nova Scotia opposition leaders
Claudia Chender urged the government to tread carefully before becoming more involved.
Public health
Nova Scotia government
Lohr said unregulated gambling access is a significant issue and acknowledged potential harms.
Nova Scotia opposition leaders
Iain Rankin said a public health risk assessment should happen before any expansion.
Ontario expanded its online gambling markets.
Alberta expanded its online gambling market.
A study suggested gambling-disorder emergency department visits had doubled in Ontario since online gambling expanded and single-event sports betting was legalized.
Nova Scotia said discussions about opening up its online gambling market were underway.
- Authorized platform
- Atlantic Lottery Corporation
- Ontario expansion
- 2022
- Alberta expansion
- July
- Study finding
- Emergency department visits for gambling disorders in Ontario had doubled
- Online gambling among Ontario high school students
- About 1% in 2019; about 9% now
What people are saying
We’re watching what’s happening in Ontario and Alberta, in particular, very carefully. And obviously, those are conversations that are underway right now
We don’t feel like we have any handle on it at all as a province. And I don’t know if anybody does. It’s just available on the internet and there are significant harms for people who become addicted to gambling through it
I think that we should tread very, very carefully before we get more into that business as a government
the first thing that should happen