Amid a consolidation and reshuffle of numerous Crown corporations, the Nova Scotia government is dissolving the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation and merging it with the Nova Scotia Municipal Finance Corporation, with the two organizations becoming the Department of Finance and Treasury Board.

Premier Tim Houston said that legislation will be introduced this fall to reflect the changes to the boards and agencies.

A Department of Finance spokesperson says the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation will continue work as normal through the transition.

“The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation and its staff do important work to ensure Nova Scotia has a well-regulated, socially responsible gaming industry,” Gary Andrea told PlayCanada.

“As part of the government’s review of crown corporations, the Gaming Corporation’s operations and staff will integrate into the Department of Finance and Treasury Board. This change will address duplication, improve efficiency, and bring Nova Scotia in line with other Atlantic provinces.”

Nova Scotia is the only Atlantic province that assigns regulating gaming to an agency separate from government.

“Integrating Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation’s operations and staff into the Department of Finance and Treasury Board will be a transition, with legislative changes to take place this Fall and the transition to be completed by the end of 2022,” added Andrea. “The work of Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, including responsible gaming initiatives and community support programs like Support4Sport and Support4Culture, will continue to be delivered as they have been.”

Governed by the provincial Gaming Control Act, ​​​Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation has focused on building an economically sustainable and socially responsible gambling industry, regulating and overseeing all forms of gambling, including lotteries, casinos and sports betting.

The day-to-day operations are handled by Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) and Great Canadian Gaming Corporation. ALC is responsible for ticket and video lottery and online gaming (including sports betting), while Great Canadian owns and operates Casino Nova Scotia’s locations in Halifax and Sydney.

ALC recently launched online casino gaming in Nova Scotia without fanfare after months of discussion. There are no imminent plans to open the market to private operators, as has occurred with the Ontario online market.