Gambling in New Brunswick
Legal changes can have a lot of ramifications in any place. Not so long ago, all forms of gambling were illegal in New Brunswick and, to a large extent, the whole of Canada. The ban was effective for almost a century, with laws banning the practice at a national level with the changes in consumer sentiments. Few gambling activities were legal in New Brunswick except for the provincial government-run parlays.
All forms of gambling in Canada had been illegal till 1969 when the criminal code was adjusted to allow the legality of gambling in New Brunswick. The law allowed the province and charitable organisations to run specific games in land-based casinos. New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC) was established during this period to help manage and run casinos in New Brunswick province. When online casinos started sprouting, the province and other Atlantic provinces formed the Atlantic Lottery Corporation to run online games.
Top 5 Offshore Online Casino New Brunswick
Gambling law in New Brunswick
Like all provinces, New Brunswick has been offering very few online and physical casinos since the national government banned many gambling activities or limited the games you could play in the criminal code. The ALC was the only legal way the citizens of New Brunswick could access online gaming, with a few land-based casinos available from the 80 offering minimal gaming options.
Latest Legal update: December, 2024
New Brunswick gambling activities are regulated by the Gaming Control Act, SNB 2008, and the Casino Regulation, NB Reg 2009-24, subject to the Canadian gambling laws. The two laws and regulations define the functions of the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC) and the Gaming Control Authority. The legal gambling age is 19, higher than Quebec's 18. You can find all the Authorized lottery schemes, the people allowed to engage in gambling, equipment verification, certification procedures, etc.
In 2021 a bill was passed at the national level expanding the provinces' control of gambling and lifting all restrictions. Bill C-218 of 2021 legalized gambling in Canada, which the national laws had prohibited. All the gambling activities in the state are controlled by the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation (NBLGC).
Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC)
The regulatory authority also operates video lottery and ticket products to the public through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC). This body was designed to help gamblers across the province make wagers over the internet. It has a wide selection of games, including Scratch'n win, lotto, iBingo, video lotteries, casino, and instant wins. Though many games are on the site, the selection isn't large enough.
The offline casino in the province provides pre-approved casino games in the province. Some physical casinos are owned by the NBLGC. Lifting all restrictions on gambling in late 2021 has made the popular entertainment activity available to residents and visitors over the city.
New Brunswick has been reluctant to enact any new law regulating or enabling gambling since they received the powers from the national government. The regulation's success in Ontario will likely inform New Brunswick's direction in enacting or updating its gambling laws. For now, all types of gambling activities are legal in the province. You can access international gambling sites legally and enjoy your favourite gambling activities.
Legal betting on Sports
Sports betting has been legal in Canada since the 1990s. However, it was only in 2004 that online sports betting was available to the provincial residents. The gaming was limited, with only parlays and horse racing as the most viable sports betting options.
Additionally, only the province, through NBC's ALC, has a stranglehold on the available casino games in New Brunswick. The passing of Bill C-218 in late 2021 signalled a new dawn for the industry as it lifted all restrictions on sports betting, allowing the provinces to legislate on the types of games in their jurisdiction and lifting all gambling bans had held sports betting back.
Many offshore sportsbooks have welcomed the move, allowing their services to be widely available in New Brunswick and the rest of Canada. Punters and visitors in New Brunswick can now enjoy world-class entertainment and bet on all types of games they like on the provincial-owned ALC, offline sites, and offshore betting sites.
Does the law permit online gambling in New Brunswick?
Online gambling has always been legal in New Brunswick since 2004. However, Atlantic Lottery Corporation was the province's only legal and regulated online gambling platform. Things have changed with the new law that allows single bets and opens the market for new players to give the ALC some competition and provide variety for the punters. There is a bit of regulation on who can gamble, but it's a bit lax, making it easy for residents to bet online on different games.
Who regulates New Brunswick's online gambling?
Gambling was heavily regulated in Canada before 2021, with the national and provincial governments responsible for regulating the activity. The province regulated gambling through the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation.
The regulator inspects physical casinos and approves licenses and the games they can offer. Since the national government recused itself from gambling activities, everything is now in the hands of NBLGC. The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick has the final say in gambling in the province, as it can enact new laws and disband the NBLGC.
Casinos, lotteries, and sports betting
The betting culture in Canada goes a long way; however, the Atlantic province of New Brunswick was slow to take up the practice. The 2008 Gaming Control Act helped legalise casino gaming, video lottery, lottery, charitable gaming, harness racing, and other gaming activities in the province. The provincial regulator provides one of the most well-known casino and sports betting operators through the ALC. There are also overseas operators and physical casinos you can start betting in today.
Taxes on winnings
There are no taxes on winning in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, save for professional gamblers. That means, irrespective of the winnings, you are not required by law to pay any national taxes. However, since the law grants the province the power to levy taxes, there may be new taxes instituted by the province. Many are watching to see the taxes the province could impose with its new powers.
Four Best Casinos to visit in New Brunswick
Gambling is a fun activity you can enjoy together with your friends. However, if you need to experience the best gambling it can offer in Canada, you have to make your way to New Brunswick. Here are the best casinos you should visit in the province:
Casino New Brunswick
Casino Brunswick is a relatively new casino built after New Brunswick was legalised. The casino was built in partnership with NBLGC, and the complex contains a hotel, entertainment centre and dining centre. The casino is owned by Great Canadian Gaming and has been in operation since 2010.
There are a lot of games available in the casino, including slots, poker, table games, tournaments and the like. You can enjoy the food at the casino and enjoy your games with a host of residents who flock to the facility. Punters highly rate it.
Location: 21 Casino Dr, Moncton, NB E1G 0R7, Canada
Phone Number: +1 877-859-7775
Open Hours: 10 am–3 am
Grey Rock Casino
Grey Rock Casino is the place for you if you have an appetite for varied casino games. It offers over 200 slot machines, live poker, bingo and electronic table games in a large bingo hall.
The casino is also a pretty big hotel with two restaurants. The casino has been on the frontline in following the public safety guidelines, especially in light of the Covid 19 pandemic. The bingo halls and live poker games were closed to follow the social distancing measures.
Location: Maliseet First Nation, 100 Chief Joanna Blvd, Saint-Basile, NB E7C 0C1, Canada
Phone Number: +1 506-735-2820
Open Hours: 12 pm–2:30 am
Eagles Nest
Eagles nest is one of the very few casinos on an Indian reservation. The casino allows you to enjoy Indian hospitality and play your favourite games. Eagles Nest casino offers Bingo, VLTs and Texas Holdem so that you can play slots and some of your favourite table games.
The casino has a no-smoking policy to let the player experience a non-smoking environment. They also have a nighthawks bar, smoke shop and a snack bar.
Location: 17 Muwin Lane, Woodstock First Nation, NB E7M 0B1, Canada
Phone Numbers: +1 506-328-1600
Open Hours: 10am–2:30am
Hotel Casino New Brunswick
Hotel Casino New Brunswick is a state-of-the-art facility with a live entertainment convention and many amenities. It covers 24,000 square feet of slot machines, table games and poker with a good view of the city and mountains.
There is also a gym, spa shower and bathroom in the facility. It is popular with 9.7 out of 10 ratings and is generally gambling-friendly.
Location: 21 Casino Dr, Moncton, NB E1G 0R7, Canada
Phone Numbers: +1 506-861-4661
Open Hours: Open 24/7
