British Columbia clamps down on money laundering with new Gaming Control Act

British Columbia has announced a new Gaming Control Act for 2026, seeking to clamp down on money laundering and fraud.

Coming into effect on April 13, 2026, British Columbia’s Gaming Control Act will update the existing regulatory framework and introduce new regulations for the gambling industry, with a specific focus on illegal activities like money laundering and fraud. The act was passed back in 2022, sparked by a need to more effectively address money laundering and off the back of two recommendations from independent reviews.

Those recommendations, coming from the German Report and Cullen Commission, included the creation of an independent gambling regulator, clarifying the separate roles of the regulator and the BC Lottery Corporation, creating standards-based regulations, putting money laundering under the responsibility of the regulator, and giving the regulator the power to issue directives without the consent of the minister.

“Money laundering is a serious issue in our province and across the country, and strong oversight is needed to prevent it,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “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 B.C.”

Based on the recommendations and modern gambling regulation guidance, the Gaming Control Act incorporates policies designed to deter money laundering, foster responsible gambling, and ensure the gambling sector adheres to both new and old regulations.

The first steps to tackling money laundering in British Columbia

As well as the steps laid out above, the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) will transition to an independent gambling control office. The new office will have the responsibility of regulatory oversight of gambling conducted and managed by the BCLC, charitable gambling, and the horse-racing industry.

Specifically, the office will implement new requirements that will help to detect and prevent problem gambling and illegal activities like money laundering across the industry.

ReadWrite has reached out to British Columbia’s Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General for comment.

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