Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador finally have a gaming site to call their own.
In a landmark decision, the NL government has announced that online casino games are now available in the province through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation‘s website.
Famously, at least in the Canadian gaming sphere, Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province without physical, retail casinos. While that didn’t change with Monday’s ruling, Newfoundlanders now have a one-stop shop for everything casino games and sports betting.
Newfoundland becomes third Atlantic province to allow online gaming
Following in the footsteps of its maritime mates, Newfoundland became the third Atlantic province to green-light online gaming.
Originally, New Brunswick led the charge in 2020, launching its online casino through the ALC. In its first year of operation, that casino generated about $7.3 million in revenue.
Two years later, in July 2022, Nova Scotia quietly joined the party, also going live through the ALC. However, unlike the NL government, Nova Scotia chose not to announce the arrival of online gaming. This, according to the province’s Finance Minister Allan MacMaster, was because “we’re [the Nova Scotian government] not trying to really promote it.”
Interestingly, the fourth Atlantic province, Prince Edward Island, approved its online casino platform in 2021, but still has yet to launch.
Responsible gambling a point of emphasis with the ALC
Serving as the exclusive regulatory provider in the region, the ALC is responsible for providing safe gaming options and resources.
As part of its commitment to player safety, the regulator currently owns a Level IV World Lottery Association certification, the highest of its kind.
For this reason, the Newfoundland government viewed the ALC as the only realistic option to best serve its consumer base.
“As a government, we wish to ensure the safety of residents who engage in online gaming,” said Hon. Siobhan Coady, Newfoundland and Labrador’s deputy premier and minister of finance. “Atlantic Lottery’s platform provides a responsible alternative for residents who currently have access to hundreds of online gaming sites, none of which are legal or regulated.”
Through its homegrown responsible gambling program, PlayWise, the ALC provides players with relevant information and actionable resources.
And much like other RG programs, for example Ontario’s PlaySmart or British Columbia’s GameSense, PlayWise helps bettors make more informed decisions. As part of this process, PlayWise helps players:
- Learn about chance- and skill-based games
- Discover key gambling facts
- Understand the odds
- Dispel common gambling myths
- Find tips for playing responsibly
Together, these lessons help the ALC strive toward its goal of empowering informed players, because “informed players know the facts, they play for fun, not for money.”
