Nova Scotia launches online casino

Nova Scotia has launched an online casino after years of lobbying by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. According to Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia Allan MacMaster, the platform, which can be accessed via the lotto corporation’s website, went live on Thursday.

“We didn’t want to make a big announcement about this. We’re not trying to really promote it,” MacMaster said in an interview.

Even with a minimum endorsement, every year, gambling generates significant revenue for the province. A provincially operated website, according to MacMaster, could provide a new revenue source while also providing features that other gambling sites do not. But MacMaster stated that it was not the deciding factor in the platform’s approval.

“We just wanted to put it out there. It’s up and running now and it’s there for people who want to play.” the Deputy Premier said.

The former Liberal government paved the path for legalized online gambling in the province through the Atlantic Lottery Corporation in February. A similar website has already been established in New Brunswick, and the Crown corporation plans to establish sites in each of the four Atlantic provinces.

MacMaster stated that the decision for opening Nova Scotia online gambling was made recently after months of deliberation. Among those discussions were “extensive discussions” with his cabinet colleague Brian Comer, the minister in charge of addictions and mental health, as well as officials from Comer’s office.

During those discussions, MacMaster stated that it became difficult to ignore how widespread online gambling has become.

Reportedly, gambling is popular in Nova Scotia, with 87 percent of adults participating in at least one chance game per year.

According to MacMaster, having a Nova Scotia-based operation implies that people in the province who want to gamble online can do so in a secure environment. The website contains a link to “play wise tools,” which allow players to limit how much time and money they spend on the site.

The government will also keep an eye on the site. They will monitor the website’s functionality in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.