Legislation Introduced to Update Gaming Control Act

Government is proposing legislation to update the Gaming Control Act today, Oct. 20, and ensure timely responses to gaming licence applications.

The act says the Nova Scotia Gaming Commission issues gaming licences but the commission no longer exists. Gaming licences are now issued by the executive director of the Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco division at Service Nova Scotia. This legislation will formalize this authority.

Service Nova Scotia issues about 7,500 gaming licences each year.

"Our priority is to process our clients' applications in a timely and efficient manner," said Mark Furey, Minister of Service Nova Scotia. "To help us succeed, the authority to issue licences must be at the operational, and not the ministerial, level."

This change supports government's commitment to modernizing legislation.