Posted on: December 3, 2025, 10:59h.
Last updated on: December 3, 2025, 11:20h.
- New Gaming Control Act comes into force in 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 BC
The British Columbia (BC) provincial government survived a confidence vote over its changes to the Mental Health Act on Tuesday 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 inquiry into money laundering in 2022.
The Gaming Control Act will include the creation of an independent gambling regulator, according to a statement from BC’s Public Safety and Solicitor General. The regulator will, in part, have the ability to issue orders to BC Lottery Corporation (BCLC) without ministry consent.
German Report and Cullen Commission Recommendations
The new Gaming Control Act will come into effect on 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 Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger. “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 BC.”
The Cullen Commission wrapped up in 2022, issuing a bombshell report on money laundering in BC, documenting the billions of dollars flowing through casinos, real estate, luxury cars, and luxury goods, often from drug sales. Weak government oversight was highlighted as something that needed correction, among a list of recommendations.
New Gaming Regulator Set Up
The act was originally passed in 2022, and 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 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.
BCLC’s PlayNow.com online platform is currently the only place BC residents can go to gamble legally online.
New Fee Structure
The new act also calls for a change in the gambling 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 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.
