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Quebec could become the next Canadian province to open online gambling to private operators after the Parti Québécois won the October 5 election without a majority.
The result matters for iGaming because both Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and Quebec Liberal Party leader Charles Milliard backed regulation of private online gambling during the campaign. The PQ won 59 of 127 seats, while the Liberals took 40 and will form the official opposition.
Good to Know
- The Parti Québécois won 59 seats and will form a minority government.
- Both the PQ and Quebec Liberals support licensing private online gambling operators.
- Loto Québec currently remains the only provincially authorized online casino and sportsbook operator.
Minority Government Creates Opening For Quebec iGaming
Milliard put the clearest proposal on the table during the campaign. The Liberal plan would expand the mandate of the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux so it could license and supervise private online gambling platforms.
The proposal also called for rules covering advertising, protection of minors and gambling harm prevention. Liberals also wanted Quebec regulators to address prediction markets, which currently sit outside a dedicated provincial framework.
St-Pierre Plamondon then backed the core idea. He said:
“Mr. Milliard says—and he’s right, I’ve looked into it—that online sports betting in Quebec is like the Wild West. American companies come in, run ads, and operate without regulation.”
The PQ leader also pointed to Ontario as an example of a province that brought private operators inside a regulated system while collecting tax revenue.
That agreement between the incoming government and official opposition gives online gambling reform a clearer route through a divided National Assembly. The PQ needs support from other parties to pass legislation because 64 seats are required for a majority.
Quebec Conservatives won another 19 seats. The party did not publish a detailed private iGaming framework during the campaign, although the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition said Conservative responses suggested opposition to state monopolies could make the party open to discussions.
Coalition spokesperson Ariane Gauthier said:
“Philosophically, generally, I believe [the Conservatives] will be constructive stakeholders to build this new regulatory framework around online gaming in Quebec.”
Quebec Could Follow Ontario And Alberta
Quebec currently uses a single operator system through Loto Québec. Players can legally access online sports betting and casino games through the provincial corporation, while private international operators do not hold Quebec licences.
Ontario opened a competitive regulated market in 2022, while Alberta followed on July 13, 2026.
A similar Quebec model could eventually allow brands such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Betway and other private operators to apply for provincial licences. Several of those companies already belong to the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition.
The coalition has argued for years that the current model leaves much online gambling outside direct Quebec regulation. A 2025 Blask estimate cited by the group put the Loto Québec share of online gambling activity at only 17%.
Revenue also gives the new government another reason to examine reform.
The coalition estimates that an Ontario style licensing system could produce more than $300 million in additional annual government revenue. That figure comes from a projection based on the Ontario market and remains an industry estimate rather than an official Quebec government forecast.
Gauthier said:
“Even in the context of a minority government, there’s a strong alignment of interests here.”
A competitive Quebec market would still require legislation, regulatory rules and decisions around licensing, taxation, responsible gambling and the future role of Loto Québec.
FAQ
Will Quebec legalize private online gambling operators?
No legislation has passed yet. However, both the Parti Québécois and Quebec Liberals backed regulation of private online gambling platforms during the 2026 election campaign.
Who won the 2026 Quebec election?
The Parti Québécois won 59 seats and will form a minority government. The Quebec Liberals won 40 seats, the Conservatives 19 and Québec solidaire nine.
Who currently operates legal online gambling in Quebec?
Loto Québec currently provides provincially authorized online sports betting and online casino gaming.
Could DraftKings and FanDuel launch in Quebec?
Potentially, if Quebec creates a competitive licensing system. DraftKings and Flutter, parent company of FanDuel, are members of the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition.
How much could Quebec make from private iGaming regulation?
The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition estimates more than $300 million in additional annual government revenue under an Ontario style system.
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