Modernising Gambling Control
The British Columbia government is preparing a major overhaul of gambling oversight by creating a new independent regulator. The new regulator is designed to strengthen controls on money laundering and related criminal activity.
The changes follow recent updates to the Gaming Control Act and are intended to modernise how gambling is governed across the province. The move is a shift in responsibilities away from the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch.
The Ministry confirmed that the revised Gaming Control Act will establish the Independent Gambling Control Office. It will operate separately from the government branch that previously handled enforcement. The office will oversee a standards-based regulatory model covering all forms of gambling in the province. This includes the operations of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC), charitable gambling activities, and horse racing. The change will take effect on April 13, 2026.
Minister and Solicitor General Nina Krieger said the new framework grants the regulator additional powers. These are intended to help address criminal activity more effectively. The act is built largely on findings from two major investigations. These include the Dirty Money report released in 2018 and the Cullen Commission’s inquiry into money laundering in 2022. Both reports identified weaknesses that hindered British Columbia’s response to illegal gambling-related activity.
Combatting Crime And Tackling Problem Gambling
The government stated that the updated act aims to enhance the province’s ability to detect and prevent money laundering in casinos and online environments. The legislation also seeks to address issues such as problem gambling and the rapid expansion of online gambling options in recent years.
The reports recommended establishing an independent regulator and clarifying the relationship between the regulator and the lottery corporation. Under the new system, money laundering oversight will fall to the regulator and its general manager. The Independent Gambling Control Office will also be able to issue directives to the BCLC without seeking approval from the ministry. The lottery corporation said it is reviewing the regulations and will work with the government as they are implemented.
The Gaming Control Act also introduces new fees for gambling in British Columbia. It will cost more to gamble in the province. Fees for gaming facilities and charitable gambling events will be based on revenue instead of the current flat fee. The flat fee is currently based on the number of slot machines in a venue. Service providers will also face higher costs. The government said the increased fees are in line with inflation and that industry stakeholders were consulted before the fees were introduced.
