UK
Quebec polls on Wednesday morning indicate a solid advantage (33%) for the Parti Quebecois party over the ruling Coalition Avenir Quebec party (22%), with a lengthy wait until the next provincial election (October 2026). This is significant if you are tracking the development of online gaming in Canada’s second-largest province.
The Crown corporation Loto-Québec oversees regulated iGaming in the province. Premier Francois Legault stated a year ago that they are satisfied with the Loto-Québec monopoly system.
The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC) — a group of private operators including Betway, Bet99, DraftKings, Entain, Flutter, Games Global, and Rush Street Interactive, in collaboration with Apricot Investments — is undeterred in its commitment to collaborating with the Quebec government and local stakeholders to create a new regulatory framework for the province.
As Ontario’s regulated market nears its third anniversary in April, and a similar iGaming market modeled after Ontario is set to open in Alberta, alongside the Quebec government grappling with a significant deficit and seeking new revenue streams, the QOGC is becoming more assertive in urging the province to shift its approach, according to the coalition's main spokesperson speaking to Casino.org.
Formulating Policy
Ariane Gauthier mentions that although they haven't directly met with PQ leaders, the coalition communicates with all political parties in the province, providing them with data and statistics.
"We want Quebecers and elected officials to know what is going on, to see the possibility and the opportunity for change,” Gauthier said. “So we are going to keep putting on pressure on the government, on Loto-Québec, advocating for change. For the longer game, we have been talking to all political parties, we are keeping the communication channels open there, to talk about their electoral platforms.
“They would be interested to know that the modernization of the regulatory framework for online gaming in Quebec could lead to an increase of $200-$300-million, interesting when you are building a political program and are wanting to make promises and spend money. There’s money on the table. They can do more for Quebecers and public services if you can get it.”
Élection du Québec en 2026
She adds that there hasn’t been any solid feedback from the PQ yet. Gauthier, a 20-year professional in political communications and prior public policy advisor to Premier Legault (2018-2022), commenced her role at the QOGC three months prior.
Last week, Gauthier published an article in the Montreal Journal presenting the QOGC’s viewpoint – that Loto-Québec, the sole platform available for Quebecers to legally engage in online gambling, has experienced a financial performance downturn since 2006.
Dans un rapport financier publié début décembre pour les six premiers mois de l'exercice 2024-2025, Loto-Québec a annoncé un revenu net de 771 millions de dollars (période allant du 1er avril au 30 septembre), soit une augmentation de 4,7 % par rapport à l'année précédente.
Coalition: Loto-Québec’s Decreasing Income
For the entire 2023-2024 fiscal year, the crown corporation announced net income exceeding $1.5 billion.
Gauthier stated that the $1.6 billion paid to the government in 2006 amounts to approximately $2.4 billion today when factoring in inflation, indicating a decrease.
“Premier Legault wants to boost Quebec’s financial numbers,” she said. “We’re not working against the government. We want to work with the government. A major change like this is always difficult to make. The debate should be how we make changes to create a new system. It’s obvious that online gaming is not going away. Trying to enforce a monopoly … is doomed to fail. Responsible gaming experts are asking for an independent regulator to better protect players.
Research: The majority of Quebec residents engage in gambling on private sites.
Gauthier additionally referenced survey findings from Mainstreet Research in 2023 indicating that 73% of participants in Quebec prefer private platforms to Loto-Québec. The study additionally revealed that more than two-thirds of Quebec gamers (67%) support regulated private online gaming operators by establishing a licensing and tax framework similar to Ontario's.
Gauthier mentioned that the QOGC is set to publish another study next month that revises those Mainstreet figures.
Konami Gaming Reveals Collaboration with BCLC
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Konami is set to provide the upcoming generation of BC Gold to 27 casino locations throughout BC, featuring 245 new video slot machines, tailored software, and display signage by spring 2027.
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