Published on: March 2, 2026, at 06:55h.
Updated on: March 2, 2026, at 06:56h.
- Quebec Online Gaming Commission presents igaming insights to the Ministry of Finance
- Insight highlights necessity for updating igaming regulations and adopting an Ontario-like competitive igaming model
- Loto-Québec responds forcefully to the presented insights
A representative from the Quebec Online Gaming Commission (QOGC) revealed that their recent insights to Quebec’s Ministry of Finance, advocating for an independent igaming regulator alongside an Ontario-style competitive igaming market, have elicited a strong reaction from Loto-Québec, the provincial crown corporation.
Regulatory Concerns
“The response to our pre-budget submission indicates that Loto-Québec has weak arguments supporting the continuation of a public monopoly on online gaming. They are resorting to personal attacks on the Coalition and its members instead of addressing the core issue: the need for improved regulation of online gaming, especially concerning private operators, who play an integral role in this market,” stated Ariane Gauthier.
The QOGC is made up of private operators, including Betway, Bet99, DraftKings, Entain, Flutter, Games Global, and Rush Street Interactive, in partnership with Apricot Investments, working towards developing a progressive regulatory framework for Quebec that resonates with the successful models in place in Ontario for nearly four years.
Submission to the Ministry of Finance
Loto-Québec oversees both igaming and land-based gaming within the province.
Recently, we reported that the QOGC presented insights to the provincial government’s Ministry of Finance, emphasizing that approximately 2,000 websites of varying credibility are offering casino, sports betting, and poker services to Quebec players, putting vulnerable individuals at risk while costing the province over $300 million in annual tax revenue.
The QOGC highlighted that by focusing solely on “physical” gaming options like Loto-Québec’s gaming salons, video lottery terminals (VLTs), and bingo, Quebec is overlooking the pervasive issue of online gaming. They argued that it’s time to direct players to a newly regulated environment.
Loto-Québec’s Reaction
In response to the news surrounding the QOGC brief, Renaud Dugas, a spokesperson for Loto-Québec, issued a statement to Casino.org.
“It must be clear: the only connection to Québec from the Québec Online Gaming Coalition is its name. This coalition consists of foreign companies that do not contribute value to Québec.”
“The Coalition advocates for online gaming regulation under the guise of player protection. However, the operators they represent are sources of risk by offering their products unlawfully, violating the existing legal framework outlined in the Criminal Code of Canada. This notion is an insult to the intelligence of Quebecers.”
Loto-Québec: Ethical Concerns About the Coalition
Illegal operators are using the excuse of public protection to legitimize their practices. A Léger study indicates that 81% of online players opt for lotoquebec.com, which provides a legal, safe, and responsible gaming environment. The same study shows players tend to spend nearly double on illegal websites. These sites employ questionable tactics to maximize player spending, and their claimed intention to protect the public is highly suspect, as the issues they seek to address are ones they have created themselves.
Clearly, the objective of the Coalition is to legitimize illegal activities and foster a marketplace that primarily serves foreign companies rather than players.
If Coalition members had any ethical standards, they would adhere to the existing regulatory framework and laws, taking immediate action to stop their illegal practices.
Player Protection
It is evident that their ultimate goal is to replicate the Ontario model, which has led to skyrocketing player spending while also exposing the public excessively to online gaming. The returns to the government are minimal compared to the billions that flow out of the country.
By undermining Loto-Québec’s role, they seek to validate their actions. Although Loto-Québec acknowledges its imperfections, it emphasizes that all its operational activities are legal, and more importantly, all its earnings are reinvested in Quebec. Last year, the corporation contributed over $1.5 billion in dividends to the provincial government along with other contributions to Québec society.”
$4 Billion in GGR from Ontario
According to Gauthier, the crown corporation’s vigorous response suggests that QOGC touched a critical nerve, particularly as the Ontario market reported $4 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2025. In Ontario, the government retains 20% of igaming revenue as taxation, excluding revenues from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s Proline platform. OLG anticipates generating $1 billion in revenue through its online gaming platform by 2028.
“Their strong language was indicative,” she noted. “The discussion at hand is vital for Quebec and its residents; it should not involve outsiders. We need to stimulate an open dialogue.”
Gauthier pointed out that the QOGC has been active in the media, engaging with all provincial political parties (with elections in Quebec this October) and industry stakeholders, advocating for their cause, and reported notable progress.
The Case for an Independent Regulator
Gauthier expressed increased optimism about Quebec eventually adopting an igaming framework similar to those in Ontario and soon Alberta. In initial meetings with the Ministry of Finance, where QOGC outlined the rationale for an Ontario-inspired model, officials were receptive, engaged, and inquisitive.
The QOGC’s primary emphasis is the necessity for an independent regulator within the province. Currently, igaming regulation falls under Loto-Québec; the crown corporation serves as both regulator and operator, presenting a potential conflict of interest regarding player protections, as argued by QOGC. Gauthier also noted inconsistencies in Loto-Québec’s reporting of their market share in the province.
“This is the crux of the issue,” she remarked. “Loto-Québec perceives our efforts as a threat. They fail to provide solid data supporting their market share assertions and tend to exaggerate the truth. We find it hard to believe that Loto-Québec regulates more than 80% of the market; that’s simply unrealistic.”
QOGC released a Mainstreet Research survey in 2023 showing that 73% of players in Quebec are utilizing private online platforms.