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Canada’s financial intelligence agency has fined two provincial gaming corporations for failing to meet anti‑money laundering obligations.
The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) confirmed on Thursday that the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation was ordered to pay C$231,826 following a compliance review in July. The examination found breaches of Part 1 of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and its regulations.
The same day, the New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation was hit with a larger penalty of C$399,712.50 after its own compliance check revealed similar failures.
The combined penalties total more than C$632,000, and FINTRAC confirmed that each corporation has paid the fines in full, closing the cases. “Canada’s Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Regime is in place to protect the safety of Canadians, the security of Canadian businesses and the integrity of Canada’s financial system,” stated Stéphane Sirard, Acting Director and CEO of FINTRAC.
“We will take firm action, when it is required, to ensure that businesses do their part and fulfill these obligations.”
Both regulators failed to report multiple suspicious transactions
FINTRAC’s examinations showed that both provincial gaming corporations missed filing suspicious transaction reports despite clear warning signs.
In New Brunswick, three reports went unsubmitted even though investigators found multiple red flags. These included players using the same credit card across different accounts, shared identifiers like addresses and phone numbers among unrelated individuals, and links to parties flagged in adverse media.
Other indicators pointed to false or altered identification, excessive deposits through prepaid cards, and chargebacks suggesting unauthorized use. The regulator classified this as a Very Serious violation under the Act.
Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation also failed to submit two suspicious transaction reports where attempted activity carried similar risks. The unreported cases involved players providing false or stolen information, difficulties in confirming identities, and chargebacks on deposits.
Beyond that, FINTRAC found broader compliance gaps. Policies and procedures were incomplete, with ministerial directives not properly documented or applied. The corporation also failed to carry out an enterprise‑level risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing threats. These breaches were labeled Serious violations.
Another gaming body sees caution from FINTRAC, third this year
The fines against Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are not the first time FINTRAC has acted against provincial gaming operators in 2026.
Earlier in July, the agency announced a penalty against Atlantic Lottery Corporation Inc. Following a compliance review, Atlantic Lottery was fined C$212,025 for failing to submit a suspicious transaction report, for not maintaining proper compliance policies, and for neglecting to carry out a risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing threats.
Both Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation and New Brunswick Lotteries and Gaming Corporation are shareholders in Atlantic Lottery, making this the third case in the region this year
The actions also follow last year’s penalty against British Columbia Lottery Corporation, which was fined more than C$1 million in August 2025.
FINTRAC has said that across 2025–26 it issued 35 notices of violation in all sectors, with penalties exceeding C$247 million, a record level of enforcement.
