The Québec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC), a collective of leading online gaming operators, has submitted a formal brief to the Québec Ministry of Finance, urging the provincial government to transition from the current Crown monopoly model to a commercial, licensed iGaming system. The coalition argues that the existing model restricts competition and leads to significant tax revenue losses as players turn to unregulated or offshore sites.
Adopting a regulated framework, they argue, would unlock new tax income, enhance consumer protections, and modernise Québec’s online gaming environment.
Strategic Business Impact from QOGC Submission
The coalition emphasises that the current regulatory model in Québec is both economically inefficient and outdated. By maintaining online casinos in Québec under the exclusive control of Loto‑Québec, the province is not only missing out on substantial tax revenue but is also restricting consumer choice.
The coalition argues that the shift to a regulated, licensed market would bring several key benefits:
- Revenue loss: The coalition estimates Québec is losing over CAD 300 million annually due to the current Crown monopoly.
- Consumer protection gaps: Unregulated platforms lack oversight and do not implement standardised age verification or responsible gambling measures.
- Regulatory framework opportunity: An Ontario-style model, which permits private operators under a regulated framework, could bring online gaming under formal control, ensuring safer gaming practices.
- Competitive disadvantage: The current system prevents global operators from entering the Québec market, giving a significant edge to provinces like Ontario, which has a regulated system.
- Wider impact: Québec’s decision could set a precedent for other provinces, leading to broader regulatory changes in Canada.
The coalition includes major operators such as DraftKings, Bet99, Flutter (FanDuel), Entain, Betway, Games Global, and Rush Street Interactive, all of which are eager to enter the Québec market, contingent on regulatory changes.
Who Benefits?
Under the current regime, Loto‑Québec maintains exclusive control over online gambling, resulting in lost tax revenue and limited consumer choice. Moving to a licensed commercial model would:
- Benefit the provincial treasury by unlocking new tax revenues from private operators.
- Improve consumer protection through age verification, self-exclusion mechanisms, and responsible gambling standards.
- Increase competition by opening up the market to a range of operators offering more choices to players.
The expansion of online casinos in Québec would create new opportunities for both consumers and operators, fostering a competitive environment and improving the overall gaming experience.
Barriers to Reform
The primary barrier to reform is Loto‑Québec’s entrenched position as the exclusive provider of online gambling in the province. Shifting to a competitive, regulated market would require:
- Legislative changes to allow for private operator licensing.
- Creation of a regulatory body to oversee the market.
However, the success of Ontario’s regulated market, which has seen significant tax revenue gains since its launch in 2022, provides a strong argument for reform. Québec’s market remains heavily restricted, and the lack of regulation exposes consumers to risks from unlicensed and potentially unsafe gambling platforms.
Second‑Order Effects
The shift to a regulated commercial market in Québec would not only impact the provincial gambling sector but could also have wider implications for the Canadian iGaming industry:
- Interest from Alberta operators is growing, with many looking to enter provinces with fewer restrictions.
- The self-exclusion systems introduced by iGaming Ontario in 2026 could become a model for Québec to follow, ensuring that responsible gaming measures are standardised across platforms.
Both developments, the Alberta market and iGaming Ontario’s centralised self‑exclusion system, may influence Québec’s regulatory approach, creating a pan-Canadian market that promotes safer, more competitive gaming options.
Industry Insights
Ariane M. Gauthier, a spokesperson for the coalition, highlighted the economic potential of reform:
Why limit the regulation of online gaming to Loto-Québec sites alone when the offering available on the Internet is much broader? Quebec could very well apply the same rules to private online gaming platforms, whether for advertising, age verification, or accountability, for example. This would channel the vast majority of online gaming into a stable and regulated environment, which is desirable for everyone.
Her statement reflects the coalition’s core argument: that a regulated market would provide both financial benefits and enhanced public safety.
As the debate over the future of online gambling in Québec continues, the coalition’s push for a regulated market presents a pivotal opportunity for the province to align itself with the growing trend in Canada and internationally. Shifting to a more open and competitive environment could lead to both economic growth and a safer, more sustainable iGaming landscape for Québec’s players.