No online gambling for N.S.

Premier Darrell Dexter says Nova Scotia won't get into online gambling.

Dexter rejected the idea of a government-sanctioned gambling site on Thursday.

"We don't think it's consistent with our goal to try to reduce the harm that is done by gaming," he told reporters in Halifax.

Dexter said the decision was made after hearing from experts and the public.

The announcement comes two months after Finance Minister Graham Steele suggested Nova Scotia needed its own online gambling site to protect addicts from unregulated, offshore sites.

In August, Steele told CBC News a provincial site would include information to help problem gamblers.

Steele said Thursday he changed his mind. He said he read the latest research and is worried that a government site would entice people who wouldn't otherwise gamble.

British Columbia launched its own online gambling site this summer. Ontario and Quebec are also planning to jump into the web gambling business.

The Nova Scotia government has yet to release its overall gaming strategy.