Atlantic Lottery Regulations to Better Protect Players, Retailers

Nova Scotians who play the lottery should have more confidence and be better protected by Atlantic Lottery Regulations.

The regulations will outline requirements for retailers of Atlantic Lottery Corporation products and approval of the technical requirements of the lottery games.

All games offered by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, including 6-49, scratch and breakopen tickets, online games and Keno, will be covered by these regulations. VLTs will be excluded.

The Department of Labour and Workforce Development's Alcohol and Gaming Division will oversee and enforce the regulations.

"These regulations will work to ensure player protection and the integrity of the lottery system in this province, which will benefit both players and retailers," said Dennis Kerr, executive director of safety with Labour and Workforce Development. "The department will work closely with retailers and gaming suppliers to ensure they are comfortable with these regulations and have the tools to implement them properly."

The regulations specify:

• restrictions on the sale, validation and payout of lottery tickets for retailers
• that only registered lottery equipment suppliers will be permitted to manufacture, provide, install, test, maintain or repair lottery equipment
• that all lottery products be developed according to a standard developed by the Alcohol and Gaming Division or have approval of the division's Executive Director
• reporting requirements for retailers' wins and suspected abuse and illegalities.
• that retailers must not sell lottery to anyone under the age of 19.

The Atlantic Lottery Corporation has already implemented most of the rules around the sale, validation and payout of lottery tickets, but the Department of Labour and Workforce Development said it is important to make these rules, and some others, law.

Extensive consultation was held with retailers, gaming equipment suppliers, the Atlantic Lottery Commission and the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.

Stakeholders were given an opportunity to understand and respond to the proposed amendments.

It will take up to six months to implement the regulations, develop technical standards and perform registration of lottery equipment suppliers.

The Alcohol and Gaming Division is also planning to help lottery retailers properly ID customers.

"We are anticipating the regulations will be fully effective in October, but almost all the regulations relating directly to retailers are in place and are currently in practice," said Mr. Kerr.

A list of the regulations is available on the Labour and Workforce Development website at www.gov.ns.ca/lwd/AGD .