Jul 20, 2026 | 5:27 am
Quebec’s election has created a potential path toward opening its online gambling market to private operators, with the Parti Québécois (PQ) and Quebec Liberal Party supporting regulatory reform. The change could give players access to more provincially authorized betting and casino platforms, ending Loto-Québec’s current monopoly.
The PQ emerged as the leading party after Monday’s election, while the Liberals are positioned to become the official opposition. The likely minority government may need support from other parties to pass legislation, creating an opportunity for cooperation on gambling reform.
PQ and Liberals Support Market Competition
During the campaign, Liberal leader Charles Milliard proposed licensing private gambling companies and assigning provincial watchdogs responsibility for addressing regulatory gaps around prediction markets. PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said he would adopt Milliard’s proposal.
"Mr. Milliard says—and he’s right, I’ve looked into it—that online sports betting in Quebec is like the Wild West,” Plamondon said in an interview. “American companies come in, run ads, and operate without regulation.”
St-Pierre Plamondon also pointed to Ontario, which opened its online gambling market to competition in 2022. He said the province had “decided to clean up the sector” and was seeing increased tax revenue.
Loto-Québec currently holds authorization as Quebec’s sole online sports betting and internet casino provider. Reform could allow private brands such as BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel to enter, subject to provincial authorization.
The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition, whose members include BET99, DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment, has campaigned for a competitive framework. Spokesperson Ariane Gauthier said the election results reflected “a large consensus” in favour of regulating private operators.
Grey-Market Activity and Tax Revenue
Loto-Québec reportedly captures around 17% of Quebec’s online gambling market, suggesting substantial activity occurs outside its platform. Offshore and other unauthorized operators serve players under the current single-provider system.
Alberta and Ontario offer examples of competitive regulation. Alberta began regulating online gambling earlier in 2026 and, by July, had received 50 operator registrations, 58 critical gaming systems providers and 14 platform providers.
Under Alberta’s model, 2% of gross gaming revenue goes to First Nations and 1% supports social responsibility initiatives. The remaining net iGaming revenue is split, with 80% allocated to operators and 20% to the provincial government. Before regulation, the Alberta iGaming Corporation estimated about 70% of gambling activity involved unregulated operators.
Ontario’s regulated market reached a reported channelization rate of 91.1% in 2026, up from 83.7% the previous year. The Quebec coalition estimates the province loses more than $300 million in annual tax revenue by maintaining its monopoly model.
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Political Support Could Determine Timing
The Quebec Conservatives may also influence the debate. Although the party has not formally endorsed iGaming reform, Gauthier said its response to the coalition’s campaign questions indicated opposition to government-owned monopolies.
Legislative changes and a regulatory framework would still be required, so reform could take time. The PQ also wants Quebec to become independent, with St-Pierre Plamondon delaying a potential referendum until 2029 or 2030.
The minority government may need cross-party cooperation to avoid another costly election. Shared support for gambling reform and the prospect of additional tax revenue could help keep the issue on the political agenda.
Source:
“iGaming regulation expected after Parti Québécois election win”, globalgaminginsider.com, October 6, 2026