Quebec Digital Gaming Alliance Marks Two Years with Volley Against Loto Quebec
Title: Quebec Gaming Coalition's Second Anniversary Amidst Northern Online Gambling Monopoly Battle
Published: May 9, 2025 | Last Updated: May 9, 2025
Mark Keast | Canadian Gaming | iGaming | Las Vegas | Sports Betting | NFL | Boxing | UFC
The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC) is marking its second anniversary with little progress in their mission to dismantle the online gaming monopoly under Quebec's Loto-Québec.
Launched in May 2023, the QOGC came together with global players like Betway, Bet99, DraftKings, Entain, Flutter, Games Global, Rush Street Interactive, and Apricot Investments, aiming to work alongside the Quebec government and local stakeholders to foster a new gaming landscape[1]. The coalition envisioned a regulatory framework mimicking Ontario's iGaming market, where multiple operators can operate, reaching the audience beyond the grasp of the one-size-fits-all Loto-Québec[2].
Next-door neighbor Ontario, which unveiled its regulated iGaming market in April 2022, and Alberta, on the verge of passing the iGaming Alberta Act, seem stuck in their pursuits of similar models. Despite speculations of a market launch in early 2026 in Alberta, minimal strides toward a similar model have been observed since the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition's inception.
This week, a review of Loto-Québec's budget estimate by the crown corporation's president, Jean-Francois Bergeron, revealed that Loto-Québec captures only 50% of the province's online gamers[3].
Gaming Industry Players Slam Loto-Québec's Stranglehold
A spokesperson from the QOGC questions the provincial government's commitment to protecting only half of online gamblers while Ontario's market opening to private operators has resulted in over 83% of online gaming activities being within a regulated framework[1].
"With such facts, one must question the government's resolve in preserving Loto-Québec's monopoly - a failing model," said Ariane Gauthier, QOGC spokesperson.
The lingering concerns about the government's stance have been echoed by Finance Minister Eric Girard, whose statement indicates that the legal mechanisms to enforce Loto-Québec's monopoly are questionable[3].
Meanwhile, local newspaper La Tribune reported that the Quebec government, similar to Ontario's resistance towards private sector competition, is reluctant to follow a path that may encourage the trivialization of gambling[4].
On the other hand, Loto-Québec appears interested in joining forces with other Canadian provinces for a potential national sports betting solution under the "Proline" banner[5].
"Instead of consolidating public monopolies, it's time for Quebec's government to modernize its regulatory framework to adapt to this evolving gaming landscape," Gauthier concludes.
- Quebec Online Gaming Coalition
- Loto-Québec's Online Gambling Monopoly Under Threat
- Why Loto-Québec Reaches Only Half of Quebec's Online Players
- Quebec won't be following Ontario's iGaming model
- Loto-Québec Announces Involvement in National Sports Betting Platform
- The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC), comprising Betway, Bet99, DraftKings, Entain, Flutter, Games Global, Rush Street Interactive, and Apricot Investments, is in its second year with minimal progress in challenging Loto-Québec's online gaming monopoly in Quebec.
- Launched in 2023, the QOGC aims to work collaboratively with the Quebec government and local stakeholders, envisioning a regulatory environment similar to Ontario's iGaming market, where multiple operators can thrive.
- Despite pursuits to replicate Ontario's iGaming market, neighboring Alberta has made little progress since the QOGC's inception, slowing efforts towards a similar model.
- A review of Loto-Québec's budget estimate by its president, Jean-Francois Bergeron, shows that Loto-Québec captures only 50% of the province's online gamers.
- QOGC spokesperson Ariane Gauthier questions the government's resolve in preserving Loto-Québec's monopoly, which has been echoed by Finance Minister Eric Girard, who doubts the legal mechanisms enforcing the monopoly.
- While Loto-Québec is considering collaboration with other Canadian provinces for a potential national sports betting solution, Гauthier calls for modernization of the regulatory framework to adapt to the evolving gaming landscape.
