Bill S-241: An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Indian Act

This bill primarily affects First Nations communities and their governing bodies that wish to operate or license casinos, lotteries, gaming facilities, and betting operations on reserve lands. It also impacts existing provincial gaming operators and lottery corporations, as First Nations reserves would be deemed not part of the province for gaming regulation purposes once notice is given, potentially creating new competition. Businesses that could be affected include gaming equipment suppliers, casino operators seeking licences from First Nations, charitable organizations running raffles on reserves, and fair or exhibition operators conducting lottery schemes on reserve lands. Provincial gaming monopolies (like OLG in Ontario or BCLC in British Columbia) may see their exclusive regulatory authority diminished on reserve lands, while new Indigenous-owned or Indigenous-licensed gaming businesses could emerge across Canada wherever reserves are located.