Quebec Election Could End Loto-Québec's Gambling Monopoly

Quebec's Oct. 5 provincial election could open the door to regulated online gambling. Two parties best placed to form the next government have both promised to end Loto-Québec's online monopoly. The Quebec Liberal Party and the Parti Québécois back licensing private operators for casino, poker, and sports betting. Liberal leader Charles Milliard wants to expand a provincial regulator's mandate to oversee the sector. Quebec's ruling Coalition Avenir Québec remains opposed to opening the market to competition. The result could make Quebec the third Canadian province with a regulated private market.

Liberals and PQ Both Vow to End Betting Monopoly

Milliard unveiled his gambling proposal on Sept. 9, midway through the campaign. He wants the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (Quebec's alcohol, racing, and gaming regulator) to oversee the sector. The regulator would license and monitor all online gambling platforms in the province. Operators would face rules on advertising, addiction prevention, and protecting minors.

The Parti Québécois has separately pledged to end Loto-Québec's exclusive online mandate. Both parties have polled ahead of the governing CAQ throughout the campaign. The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition welcomed the positions from both parties. In a statement, the coalition said: "It is high time for the government to bring order to the situation." The group argues Loto-Québec's monopoly no longer reflects the actual market.

Unregulated Market Costs Quebec Billions in Revenue

Quebec currently limits legal online gambling to Loto-Québec's Espacejeux and Mise-o-jeu platforms. Industry research suggests the monopoly captures only a fraction of actual play.

Market research firm Blask found that Loto-Québec channels just 17% of online gambling activity. Separate data presented at SBC Summit Canada put the figure closer to 27%. Research from TRM Public Affairs estimated that 73% of market activity flows to unregulated sites.

That gap represents roughly CAD $2.3 billion in gross gaming revenue each year.

Quebec is also losing an estimated CAD $563.3 million in annual tax revenue. Ontario now channels about 90% of play through its regulated market. Alberta launched its own regulated iGaming market on July 13 and is targeting 75% channelization by 2028.

Loto-Québec and CAQ Defend Online Gambling Monopoly

Loto-Québec and the CAQ government oppose ending the Crown corporation's online monopoly. Spokesperson Renaud-Philippe Dugas dismissed the push for private competition. "This is an insult to Quebecers' intelligence," Dugas said. He argued the effort would legalize illegal activity for foreign companies, not for players.

Dugas noted that all of Loto-Québec's gaming proceeds stay within the province. That argument has anchored the CAQ's resistance to a private iGaming model. Polls show the CAQ trailing both the Liberals and the Parti Québécois. The outcome of the Oct. 5 vote could still decide Quebec's regulatory path.