New Brunswick Moves to Authorize Live Dealer Online Casino Games

Canada’s online gambling market is evolving rapidly. Ontario opened its regulated market to private operators in 2022, and its commercial sector now captures more than 90% of the province’s online gambling activity. Alberta followed on July 13, 2026, becoming the second province to allow private companies to offer online casino games and sports betting in Alberta. Most other provinces, including New Brunswick sports betting and casino gambling, still rely on government-run or government-authorized platforms.

The early numbers show why other provinces are watching. Ontario recorded C$9.71 billion in cash wagers and around C$416 million in gaming revenue in September 2026. Alberta generated C$122.1 million in gaming revenue between its July launch and September 30, with 24 operators active by the end of the period and 388,585 active player accounts in September. Those accounts are not unique individuals, but the figures point to rapid growth in the new market.

The booming Alberta market is drawing attention from other provinces across the country, including New Brunswick. Finance and Treasury Board Minister René Legacy introduced Bill 8, An Act to Amend the Gaming Control Act, on October 27. The bill would give the province authority to regulate live online casino games for the first time, creating a path for Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) to add live dealer tables to its New Brunswick offering. As of November 2, it was at second reading, with debate adjourned. It is not yet law.

What would Bill 8 change?

Live dealer games let customers play casino table games online in real time with a human dealer, commonly through a video stream on a website or mobile betting apps. Blackjack, roulette and poker are typical examples.

Bill 8 would add definitions for an “online casino lottery scheme” and a “live casino lottery scheme” to the Gaming Control Act. It would also let the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation, with approval from the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, enter an agreement designating an eligible corporate entity as a provincial agency to operate an online casino lottery scheme, including live games. The bill expands the government’s authority to regulate schemes operated by that agency.

The distinction matters: Bill 8 is not an open-market bill. A spokesperson for Legacy’s office told recently said that the measure is intended to let ALC offer online dealer games in New Brunswick. It does not authorize DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel or other private operators to enter the province, nor does it create a licensing system for a wider group of commercial competitors. The immediate aim is to expand the Crown-backed product, not replace the current model.

There is no launch date. The government says safeguards will be established through regulations introduced later, while the bill itself would come into force on a date fixed by proclamation. Operating standards, oversight requirements and timing therefore remain unresolved. Passing Bill 8 would create the legal route for live casino, not put live blackjack tables on ALC.ca overnight.

Why is New Brunswick making the move?

Competition is the driving force. ALC is jointly owned by New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, and it remains the region’s only authorized online gambling platform. Yet its 2025-26 annual report puts its share of Atlantic Canada’s online betting and gaming activity at just 35%, up from 34% the previous year. ALC estimates around C$250 million leaves the region annually through unregulated operators. The corporation returned C$492 million in profit to the four provinces in 2025-26, so the stakes extend beyond customer share to public revenue.

Live dealer games could help ALC close one gap with international casino sites by giving customers a more interactive table-game experience and another reason to stay on a regulated platform. But this is only one part of a larger problem. If around two-thirds of regional online gambling activity takes place outside ALC, adding live tables alone is unlikely to reverse the imbalance.

The bigger signal is that New Brunswick is considering a change to the market structure itself. A week before introducing Bill 8, Legacy said the government was “exploring options around regulating private online operators.” That review is separate from the bill and has no announced timetable. Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador say they have no immediate plans to open their markets, although they are monitoring developments. Industry lobbying for a commercial regulated market is also growing in the Maritimes.

For players, the bill’s immediate impact is limited: no new private casino brands are being approved, and no launch date has been set. If it advances, the real test will be the rules that follow. Identity checks, transparent game oversight, meaningful limits and accessible self-exclusion tools will matter more than the live-streamed tables themselves. For ALC, Bill 8 offers a chance to modernize its product before New Brunswick decides whether it needs a much broader overhaul.

Rowan Fisher-Shotton, a passionate sports fan and seasoned journalist, hails from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Graduating with honours from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Rowan has meticulously honed his skills to become an expert in the iGaming industry, specializing in sports betting analysis and professional sports coverage. Over the past several years, Rowan has developed a deep understanding of effective betting strategies and the dynamics of major leagues like the NBA, NFL, NHL, and NCAA. Now, as an expert in the field, he aims to provide insightful commentary and engaging content to help educate the casual sports bettor. In his off time, you can catch him hitting the gym, nose buried deep in a captivating read or on the hunt for that next winning parlay.