NCJ Number
126301
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Canadian gaming industry has developed a conservative style, yet both geographic as well as demographic factors may impact it. Public opinion supports a government-controlled lottery industry and regulation of other types of gambling. As a result, the approach taken by the provincial government of New Brunswick has much in common with other provincial licensing authorities.
Abstract
Observations about the Canadian gaming industry in general point to a 4-way division: pari-mutuel gambling, government lotteries, licensing gaming, and carnivals and midways. Lotteries have become an integral part of government budgets as well as an accept way for charitable organizations to raise funds. New Brunswick, one of the more conservative provinces when it comes to gambling, has the least developed charitable gambling sector; it is the only province to prohibit breakopen tickets and limits casino activities to purely recreational endeavors. The four basic principles guiding provincial policy are that the licensees must be the primary beneficiaries of gambling, that gambling fundraising should not be dominated by only a few groups, that as many legitimate groups as possible should have access to this form of fundraising, and that government regulation is intended to maintain public confidence in the licensed fundraising industry. The regulatory function of government should be extended to include supporting the economic health of the gaming industry.