Quebec Gaming Online Alliance Advocates for Province to Follow Suit of Ontario and Alberta

The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC) is urging the Quebec government to establish a competitive, regulated online gambling market, citing examples of success in other jurisdictions such as Ontario and Alberta. The coalition, formed in 2023, includes DraftKings, Flutter, Entain, Rush Street Interactive, Betway, Bet99, a Canadian brand, alongside SoftSwiss, Relax Gaming, and BtoBet.

According to a recent study, nearly 90% of Alberta's online gambling activity is currently on unregulated sites, highlighting the need for operators to respond to the same rules and an independent regulator. In contrast, Alberta will keep its current Crown corporation, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), in a dual role as both regulator and operator through its Play Alberta platform.

Loto-Quebec, a crown corporation, maintains a monopoly in the province's online gambling market through its platform, Espacejeux. However, the regulated operator captures about 23% of online play revenue, leaving about three-quarters to offshore or unregulated sites. Espacejeux has a market share of about 44%.

The QOGC claims that Quebec is losing almost $2 billion a year to unregulated online operators. Gauthier, a representative from the QOGC, argued that Loto-Quebec is not presenting a fair perspective of the success of the Ontario model and its ability to channel the grey market and improve the responsible gaming environment.

Panelists at the 2025 Canadian Gaming Summit cited Ontario's online gambling market as an example of a successful, competitive, regulated market, with regulated platforms accounting for over 86% of online gambling activity. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) is growing year-over-year and is doing well at matching gains.

The QOGC is calling for a closer look at the Ontario model for online gaming. Once Alberta launches its regulated market, data on how much play shifts from offshore platforms will help the case for Quebec to open up its market. Gauthier believes that showing how the current situation in Quebec does not respond to the current challenge and providing examples of success in other jurisdictions will help make the case for a change in the province's online gambling model.

Many Quebec residents view crown corporations as protectors of culture and local economic levers, which may contribute to public and political resistance to opening the market. However, the QOGC suggests that a competitive, licensed framework could channel more play into the regulated market and recover revenue now going offshore.

Loto-Quebec's 2024-25 fiscal year results show it generated roughly $3 billion in total revenue and a consolidated net income of over $1.5 billion, with no significant progress from the previous year. The panel discussion took place during the 2025 Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto. Alberta's move to a regulated online gambling market, planned for as early as 2026, will add fuel to the fire for change in Quebec.

Quebec Gaming Online Alliance Advocates for Province to Follow Suit of Ontario and Alberta