Private operators push Quebec to open online betting beyond Loto-Québec's monopoly

A coalition of private betting giants wants Quebec to follow Ontario's lead. Could this mean the end of Loto-Québec's exclusive grip on the market?

, and Administrator

2026 February 11 . 1:26 AM

1 min read

The image shows an old map of Quebec City, with the port and environs of the city clearly visible.... — The image shows an old map of Quebec City, with the port and environs of the city clearly visible. The paper has text written on it, providing further details about the city.

Private operators push Quebec to open online betting beyond Loto-Québec's monopoly

A group of private gaming operators is pushing for major changes to Quebec's online betting laws. The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition, which includes major industry names like Betway, DraftKings, and Flutter, wants the province to adopt a system similar to Ontario's, where private companies can legally offer sports betting, casino games, and poker. Currently, Loto-Québec remains the only legal platform for online gambling in the province.

The Coalition launched in May 2023 with the goal of regulating around 2,000 unlicensed websites that currently operate in a legal grey area, offering betting services to Quebec players without proper oversight.

The group recently submitted a brief to Quebec's Ministry of Finance with four key recommendations. They propose setting up an independent regulator to oversee all online gaming operators, both public and private. They also want clear rules for licensing and revenue-sharing agreements with the government.

Part of the profits from private operators would go toward community support and addiction prevention programmes. The Coalition estimates that regulating the market could bring Quebec over $300 million in annual tax revenue.

If adopted, the proposed changes would mark a shift from Loto-Québec's monopoly to a more open market. The government has yet to respond to the Coalition's recommendations. For now, the province's only legal betting option remains Loto-Québec's platform.