The debate over liberalizing Quebec’s online gambling market has surfaced as a central issue in the provincial election campaign leading up to the October 5 vote. Both the Quebec Liberal Party and the Parti Québécois (PQ) have voiced support for transitioning away from Loto-Québec’s state monopoly toward a regulated commercial model, mirroring frameworks established in Ontario and Alberta.

Bipartisan Support for Market Liberalization

Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard outlined a proposal that would transfer licensing and oversight responsibilities for all online gaming to the provincial regulator, the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ). The framework mandates provincial licensing, strict advertising standards, addiction prevention measures, and the establishment of an independent, industry-funded harm prevention organization. Milliard estimated that modernizing the market could yield approximately CAD 1.7 billion ($1.22 billion) in recurring financial savings alongside heightened consumer protections.

Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon echoed support for opening the market, pointing to Ontario’s open commercial framework as an effective model for capturing tax revenue and strengthening operator oversight. The proposals align closely with recommendations from the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC), which represents major international operators including DraftKings, FanDuel, Entain, Flutter, Betway, Bet99, and Rush Street Interactive. Conversely, the ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) continues to defend Loto-Québec’s monopoly, arguing that private market expansion primarily benefits offshore entities and diverts revenue away from public coffers.

Channelization Gaps and Emerging Prediction Market Oversight

Advocates for reform point to significant discrepancies in player channelization under the current monopoly. QOGC estimates indicate that Loto-Québec captures between 17% and 27% of provincial online gambling activity, while over 2,000 unlicensed platforms continue to service Quebec residents. By contrast, Ontario achieves an estimated 90% channelization rate, and Alberta is targeting 75% following its commercial iGaming market launch.

Beyond traditional casino games and sports betting, the election discourse has expanded to include prediction markets. Liberal leader Milliard recommended joint oversight between the RACJ and the Autorité des marchés financiers to address regulatory gaps surrounding event-contract platforms. The call follows recent actions by platforms such as Polymarket to restrict user access across Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia in response to federal regulatory guidance.

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