Share 
Bonus TL;DR
- Opposition parties in Quebec support replacing Loto-Québec’s monopoly with a competitive, licensed online gambling framework.
- Industry advocates estimate a regulated market could generate $300 million for Quebec while channelling residents away from grey-market sites.
Online gambling has become a live election issue in Quebec ahead of the province’s 5 October general election, with opposition parties arguing the market should open beyond Loto-Québec’s current monopoly. Whether choosing a state-run platform or an online casino in Canada operating from another jurisdiction, residents have diverse choices, leading critics to question the efficacy of a single provincial system.
According to TheLines, the Quebec Liberal Party and Parti Québécois have both expressed support for liberalizing the province’s iGaming framework, while the governing Coalition Avenir Québec has said it has no plans to expand online gaming.
Quebec currently runs online gambling through Loto-Québec, the province’s sole licensed operator. Its Espacejeux platform launched in 2010, with an online sportsbook added in 2012.
Opposition parties argue the current model is outdated
The Quebec Liberal Party’s Charles Milliard supports opening the market, while Parti Québécois has also backed expansion of the iGaming industry. The Liberals argue Loto-Québec’s monopoly is outdated and does not prevent residents from gambling on other sites.
Parti Québécois leader Paul St. Pierre Plamondon has previously described unregulated sports betting in Quebec as the “Wild West.”
Industry-backed advocacy groups are also pressing for change. The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition says 73% of Quebecers gamble online and that two-thirds of gamblers support regulation. The coalition says a licensing model could generate CA$300 million for the province.
Ariane Gauthier said the election campaign is “providing an opportunity to discuss the modernization of the regulatory framework for online gaming.”
Ontario and Alberta remain the main provincial comparisons
The Quebec debate comes as other provinces continue to provide reference points for a more open model. The source article points to Ontario and Alberta as examples of provinces that have moved beyond a state-only framework.
Ontario iGaming recorded CA$1 billion in total wagering for June, while Ontario casino wagers reached CA$51.7 billion in 2023–2024, up 88% from the previous 12 months.
Alberta opened its online gambling industry in 2026 and has 49 operators, according to the source. The province has projected around CA$76 million in additional revenue in its first 12 months of operation.
What to watch before the vote
The key question is whether Quebec’s election result will create a path to a new licensing model or preserve Loto-Québec’s existing monopoly. The source does not specify what regulatory framework would be adopted if the market opens, or how private operators would be admitted.
As policy debate continues, players should stick to legal and regulated options available in their province and gamble responsibly.
Source: As reported by thelines.com.
