British Columbia to establish independent gambling regulator

The British Columbia government has revealed plans to transition the powers of the Canadian province’s gambling regulator, the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB), to a new body. Through amendments to the province’s Gaming Control Act, the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO) will focus on regulatory policy matters related to gambling, horse racing and responsible gambling programs. Set to be overseen by a general manager appointed by a fixed term, the IGCO will report publicly on its operations to the legislative assembly each year and have power to independently manage its public communications. “The IGCO will have the mandate, authority and independence to ensure the overall integrity of gambling in British Columbia,” Attorney General David Eby explained. “This change will make it far easier to keep dirty money out of our province. It is one of many concrete measures we are taking to disrupt money laundering, which has impacted British Columbians in so many ways.”