- New Gaming Control Act comes into force April 2026
- Province will set new policies to deter money laundering, encourage responsible gambling
- Provincial government creating a new independent gambling control office to regulate gambling in B.C.
The B.C. provincial government survived a confidence vote over its changes to the Mental Health Act last night, and through the process was also able to push through multiple pieces of legislation before the fall session closes out, including the new Gaming Control Act.
The new Act will address recommendations tackling fraud and money laundering from two high-profile investigations – the Dirty Money report by Peter German in 2018 and the Cullen Commission of inquiry into money laundering in 2022.
The Gaming Control Act will include the creation of an independent gambling regulator, according to a statement from B.C.’s Public Safety and Solicitor General. The regulator will in part have the ability to issue orders to BC Lottery Corporation without ministry consent.
German Report and Cullen Commission Recommendations
The new Gaming Control Act will be coming in effect April 13, 2026. The province’s new Independent Gambling Control Office will have the power to go after criminal activity. This new entity is being transitioned from the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, and will have regulatory oversight over charitable gambling and horse racing as well.
“Money laundering is a serious issue in our province and across the country, and strong oversight is needed to prevent it,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “The new act creates a strong regulatory framework so that the Independent Gambling Control Office, our new independent regulator, can more effectively address criminal activity and protect people in B.C.”
The Cullen Commission wrapped up in 2022 issuing a bombshell report on money laundering in B.C., billions flowing through casinos, real estate, luxury cars and luxury goods, often from drug sales. Weak government oversight was highlighted as something that needed to get corrected, among a list of recommendations.
New Gaming Regulator Set Up
The Act was originally passed in 2022, and the new one accounts for online gambling and fast evolving technologies in that industry. Recommendations from the Cullen Commission and the German Report included creating an independent gambling regulator, and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the BC Lottery Corporation and the regulator. It included establishing a standards-based regulatory model, making the money laundering the responsibility of the regulator, and allowing the regulator to issue directives to BCLC.
The independent gambling control office will have a general manager who makes and enforces regulations in gambling and horse racing. That person will oversee new requirements that will help prevent and detect problem gambling and unlawful activity. That will include money laundering, in casinos and online.
Right now, BCLC’s PlayNow.com online platform is the only place B.C. residents can go gamble legally online.
New Fee Structure
The new Act also calls for a change in the gambling’s industry’s fee structure, to align with increased costs in regulating it. There will be an increase in fees for registration and licensing, including around administrative costs for things like background checks, monitoring compliance and taking enforcement actions.
New fees for gaming facilities and charitable gaming events will be based on revenue, instead of a flat fee. Organizations that bring in less money will get a break, paying less. New fee categories will also be added to PlayNow.com, reflecting its expansion in recent years.
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