Quebec’s October 5 provincial election has renewed the possibility of opening its online gambling market to private operators, following a victory by the Parti Québécois (PQ).
The party secured 59 of the National Assembly’s 127 seats, falling five short of a majority. The Quebec Liberal Party won 40 seats, while the outgoing Coalition Avenir Québec failed to win a seat. Both the PQ and Liberals expressed support during the campaign for introducing a regulated framework for commercial online gambling.
Two Major Parties Support Regulatory Change
Quebec currently relies on the government-owned Loto-Québec as its authorized online gambling operator. A shift toward a competitive market could allow private companies to obtain licences and operate under provincial oversight, following approaches adopted in Ontario and Alberta.
PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon indicated support for the proposal put forward by Liberal leader Charles Milliard, who advocated expanding the provincial regulator’s authority to license and supervise online gambling platforms.
The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition, which represents commercial gambling companies, has argued that regulating private operators could generate more than C$300 million in annual government tax revenue. The coalition also maintains that a substantial share of online gambling activity currently takes place outside the regulated market.
These figures reflect industry estimates rather than confirmed government revenue projections.
Implementation Will Require Further Work
Despite the apparent political alignment, a transition would require decisions on licensing rules, regulatory oversight and the structure of the new market.
The Canadian Gaming Association has cautioned against expecting immediate progress. Quebec would need to establish an appropriate regulatory framework and determine how private operators and Loto-Québec would be supervised.
The PQ’s minority status also means the government will need cooperation from other parties to advance its agenda.
The election has created an opportunity for reform, but the eventual model, timeline and consumer-protection requirements remain unresolved. For operators seeking access to Quebec, the next stage will depend on political negotiations and the development of a workable regulatory system.