Nova Scotia continues to operate through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC), a shared model that centralizes all online gambling under one publicly owned system. Because ALC revenue supports provincial programs, the structure plays an important role in government planning.

How Ontario’s iGaming model works

Ontario uses an open-market approach that allows multiple private online casino and sports betting operators to participate once they are registered with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and enter an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario. This system establishes clear responsibilities for each party, including reporting requirements, game integrity standards, data handling rules, and responsible-gambling obligations. iGaming Ontario oversees operator performance, audits financial and technical data, and ensures that all platforms meet provincial security controls.

Unlike with a single-provider model, Ontario’s structure requires continuous monitoring of dozens of operators, which has led to the development of standardized compliance processes and shared technical frameworks. One of the model’s key goals is to shift activity from offshore sites to platforms that meet Canadian regulatory expectations.

The expanded market also means that operators may offer a wider range of digital products, including Canada slot games, which must meet provincial testing and certification requirements before they can be made available to players. To support this, the province prioritizes transparency in player safeguards, age verification, and advertising standards, which are enforced consistently across all operators. The result is a system built to balance consumer access with strong oversight.

How Nova Scotia’s Current ALC System Operates

Nova Scotia participates in a closed model through ALC, which serves all four Atlantic provinces. ALC runs the single legal online gambling platform, and profits are allocated back to each province.

This structure allows governments to retain direct control over both the platform and the revenue it generates. It also avoids the need for multiple operator licences or large regulatory teams.

Why Governments Rely on ALC Revenue

Because ALC returns earnings directly to the provinces, the model contributes to public programs and community funding. The predictability of this system is one reason Atlantic governments often favour a cautious approach to gambling expansion.

Any new structure would need to demonstrate similar or greater reliability before policymakers would consider changes.

What Ontario Has Seen So Far

Ontario’s market has shown strong early participation. Many residents have shifted from offshore sites to licensed operators, increasing regulatory visibility and compliance. Other provinces are monitoring these results, though none have announced plans to mirror the system.

Long-term financial and social outcomes are still emerging, so most jurisdictions are evaluating the model gradually.

Why Nova Scotia Faces Different Conditions

Nova Scotia’s smaller population and market size significantly affect the practicality of adopting an open-market structure. While Ontario can support dozens of private operators due to scale and volume, Nova Scotia would likely see far fewer entrants, which in turn reduces potential licensing revenue and spreads regulatory oversight costs across a much smaller base. Establishing a dedicated regulatory body similar to iGaming Ontario would require new staffing, technology systems, compliance programs, and enforcement processes, all of which carry ongoing operational expenses.

In addition, Nova Scotia is part of the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, and any shift away from the current shared model would require agreement from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Renegotiating ALC participation could involve restructuring profit-sharing formulas, redefining governance roles, or reassessing existing digital gaming contracts.

These layers of interprovincial coordination add complexity that does not exist in Ontario, which operates independently. Combined with longstanding responsible-gambling expectations in Atlantic Canada, these conditions make major structural changes slower and more resource-intensive.

Regulatory Considerations for a Future Model

If Nova Scotia explored an open-market system, the regulatory framework would need to expand far beyond what exists today under the ALC model. The province would be responsible for approving operators individually, reviewing game systems, enforcing technical standards, and ensuring that each operator meets strict consumer-protection rules. This includes real-time monitoring of advertising practices, compliance reporting, security protocols, and dispute-resolution procedures. A new licensing system would also need to outline criteria for background checks, financial suitability reviews, and ongoing audits.

Smaller provinces often face higher costs per operator because they must maintain the same regulatory functions as larger jurisdictions but with fewer participants. Dedicated systems for data storage, fraud detection, and risk assessment would need to be built or procured. Additional resources would be required to manage player-safety tools, such as self-exclusion databases and harm-reduction monitoring.

Implementing these responsibilities at scale demands sustained funding, technical expertise, and the ability to maintain consistent oversight as regulations evolve.

Community Impact and Public Interest

Atlantic provinces have historically placed strong emphasis on limiting gambling-related harm. Increased access, advertising, and product variety are key concerns if any new model were considered. Effective safeguards would need to be in place from the outset, with resources to enforce them.

In addition, residents often want to understand whether policy changes could influence provincial budgets, public services, or community wellbeing. Because the ALC structure is familiar and predictable, any alternative would require clear evidence of stable revenue and strong oversight.

Ontario’s Model Is One To Watch

Ontario’s system offers useful lessons, but its population scale and regulatory capacity differ significantly from Nova Scotia’s. Ontario’s iGaming model provides a detailed example of how an open, regulated market can operate. For Nova Scotia, future discussions will need to weigh population size, administrative capacity, interprovincial agreements, and public-health considerations. Any potential change would require careful evaluation to ensure alignment with community interests and provincial responsibilities.