Quebec Faces Growing Pressure to Reform Online Gaming Amid National Shift

Canada is rethinking how it approaches online gambling, but Quebec still clings to a government-run monopoly. It is one of the few provinces that has not changed. This stance has an impact on potential tax revenue, leading to big losses. Industry experts are taking a closer look, which puts more heat on Quebec. All of this is pushing the province to change its rules.

Quebec Loses Nearly CAD$2B Annually to Unregulated Gaming

At this year’s Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto, new data showed the province is losing almost CAD$2 billion ($1.5 billion) each year to unregulated online gaming sites. This huge number came up during a panel talk with people from the industry, including Ariane Gauthier, who speaks for the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC). Troy Ross from TRM Public Affairs and Patrick Harris of Rubicon Strategy were also on the panel. Together, they stressed how important it is to expand Canada’s rules for gaming beyond just Ontario.

Unlike Ontario, where more than 80% of online gamblers now use legal sites, Quebec is falling behind with 27% of users taking part in the regulated market. This low uptake is due to Loto-Québec’s control, as the state-run gaming operator and overseer. Gauthier, who has worked in Quebec’s political world for years, pointed out the province’s strong cultural links to its crown corporations. Many residents view these as tools to maintain Quebecois identity and boost the local economy.

Coalition Pushes for Balanced Reform as Loto-Québec Faces Growing Challenges

Nevertheless, the Coalition is not pushing to tear down the current system. Rather, it aims to collaborate with government officials to bring about a competitive, regulated landscape that boosts private sector involvement. The QOGC, which has the backing of big players like DraftKings, Flutter, and Betway, came together in 2023. Its purpose is to make Quebec’s online gaming approach match up with models that have shown success in other places.

At the summit, Gauthier pointed out that Loto-Québec’s small gains do not match inflation and economic growth, showing a slow drop in performance. The Coalition also questions misleading stories, like Loto-Québec saying Ontario’s gaming market hurts its land-based operations, by showing different data and perspectives.

Looking forward, Quebec’s October 2026 provincial election might shape gaming rules. Even though the ruling coalition Avenir Québec is behind in recent polls, Gauthier says the Coalition talks to all parties, not just those against them. She thinks that over time, change will have to happen.