All different forms of gambling activities in Canada are heavily regulated. Under the Canadian Criminal Code, gambling is strictly forbidden unless gambling operators have valid licenses issued by provincial governments. The Canadian Criminal Code also addresses sports and horse racing betting in different sections. As detailed in this section, local governments cannot enter this specific iGaming field.
Speaking of provincial governments, gambling activities in Nova Scotia are overseen by the Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation. Sports betting in this Canadian province is perfectly legal, but there are some restrictions in place, as we discuss in the following sections.
Gambling in Nova Scotia – Laws and Regulations
Just like most other Canadian provinces, Nova Scotia has liberal iGaming laws and regulations. Essentially, residents of Nova Scotia can legally engage in online gambling activities. As detailed in this captaingambling.com, many new gambling sites that opened their doors in the US also accept Canadians residing in Nova Scotia.
Legal gambling forms are available throughout Nova Scotia, including land-based, online casinos, sports betting, and even a provincial lottery. As mentioned in the previous section, Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation have been entrusted with managing and overseeing different iGaming forms. At the same time, the Alcohol and Gaming Division (AGD) is responsible for regulating the gaming licenses. The Alcohol and Gaming Division is also responsible for monitoring the conduct of lotteries, bingo games, casinos, and other games of chance.
Essentially, the Alcohol and Gaming Division issues licenses to different organizations that operate lottery games. The Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation is the primary gambling regulator named in the Gaming Control Board. It monitors the whole gaming business within the borders of Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation are also responsible for the management and conduct of casinos and lotteries. At the same time, it also manages two different gaming operators, including the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation is responsible for managing video lotteries on behalf of the primary regulator, while the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation owns two casinos located within the province.
Who Can Gamble?
In Nova Scotia, the legal gambling age is nineteen. In all other Canadian provinces, except Quebec, nineteen is the legal gambling age. Since online gambling is perfectly legal in the region, all individuals at least nineteen years old can engage in gambling and betting activities.
There is an excellent government-owned and operated website and many international iGaming sites that residents of Nova Scotia can join. Local players and tourists visiting Nova Scotia can enter and play in the casinos.
Aside from online casino gambling and sports betting, three are many other legal gambling options, including horse racing betting, lottery games by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, poker games ad tournaments, bingo games, and charity gambling.
There are also two excellent land-based casinos owned and operated by the Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation. One is the Halifax Casino located at Upper Water St, Halifax. The Casino Nova Scotia Sydney is located at George St, Sydney.