British Columbia curbs money laundering with new Gaming Control Act

British Columbia has announced a new Gaming Control Act of 2026 that seeks to curb money laundering and fraud.

Coming into force on April 13, 2026, the British Columbia Gaming Control Act will update the existing regulatory framework and introduce new regulations for the gambling industry, with a special focus on illegal activities such as money laundering and fraud. The law was passed in 2022, prompted by the need to tackle money laundering more effectively and amid two recommendations from independent reviews.

These recommendations, coming from the German report and the Cullen Commission, include creating an independent gambling regulator, clarifying the separate roles of the regulator and the BC Lottery Corporation, creating standards-based regulations, placing money laundering under the regulator’s responsibility, and giving the regulator the power to issue directives without the minister’s consent.

« Money laundering is a serious problem 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 law creates a strong regulatory framework so that the Independent Gambling Regulatory Authority, our new independent regulator, can more effectively tackle criminal activity and protect the people of British Columbia. »

Building on the recommendations and modern guidelines for gambling regulation, the Gambling Control Act includes policies designed to deter money laundering, promote responsible gambling and ensure that the gambling sector complies with both new and old regulations.

First Steps to Addressing Money Laundering in British Columbia

In addition to the steps outlined above, the Gambling Policy and Enforcement Division (GPEB) will transition to an independent gambling enforcement office. The new office will be responsible for the regulatory oversight of gambling conducted and managed by the BCLC, charity gambling and the horse racing industry.

Specifically, the office will introduce new requirements to help detect and prevent problem gambling and illegal activities such as money laundering in the industry.

ReadWrite has contacted the BC Ministry of Public Safety and the Attorney General for comment.

Featured image: Flickr, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

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