Atlantic Lotto set for online gambling in N.B

The Atlantic Lottery Corp. is ready to expand its online gambling operations if the New Brunswick government approves the move, its chief executive officer says.

Michelle Carinci was before the committee on Crown corporations on Thursday to discuss the lottery corporation's financial situation.

Carinci said regulatory changes have already been drafted that would allow the company to expand further into online gambling.

The Atlantic corporation worked with its counterparts in British Columbia and Quebec to launch online gambling websites in those provinces, he said.

New Brunswick has internet games such as bingo but no casino-type games that are played with others, such as poker.

Carinci said the needed regulatory changes are "not big" and could be made if the provincial government approved the reforms.

"Technically, it is a very easy decision," Carinci said. "We have some quality control testing … so our due diligence would take a few months.

"So really, again, it is up to the shareholder on the timing because all of the other pieces are in place."

Carinci was responding to questions from Liberal MLA Roland Haché.

A Department of Finance official said the provincial government has been "consistent in that we have had ongoing discussions with ALC but there is no decision made either way on the matter."

Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter said in October that he didn't want his province to get involved in online gambling.

Prince Edward Island also said it would not expand further into online gambling.