Quebec’s provincial election has strengthened the political prospects for opening its online gambling market to licensed private operators. The Parti Québécois supports reform, and the Quebec Liberal Party has proposed a framework that would bring commercial platforms under provincial oversight.

Loto-Québec currently holds the province’s authorization to offer online sports betting and internet casino gambling. The election creates an opportunity to reconsider that arrangement, although policymakers have yet to establish a timetable for introducing a competitive market.

Party positions create room for cooperation

As of Tuesday morning following the October 5 election, the Parti Québécois led in 59 of the legislature’s 127 ridings, putting it on course to form a minority government. The Liberals led in 40 ridings and appeared set to become the official opposition.

Liberal leader Charles Milliard campaigned on licensing private gambling platforms. PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said he would adopt that proposal, giving the parties common ground on online gambling policy.

The outgoing Coalition Avenir Québec had also supported regulation at its 2025 National Convention. That position adds to the evidence of political support for reconsidering the province’s approach.

A minority administration would still need cooperation to advance changes. Competing priorities could affect the pace, and launching a commercial market would require work on its legal framework and regulatory oversight.

Coalition presses for a broader regulatory system

The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition has spent years advocating for licensed competition. Its members include BET99 and DraftKings, alongside Flutter Entertainment, which owns FanDuel.

Coalition spokesperson Ariane Gauthier highlighted the parties’ overlapping interests following the election.

“Even in the context of a minority government, there’s a strong alignment of interests here,” Gauthier said.

The group’s earlier call for Quebec market liberalisation outlined an independent regulator with responsibility for private operators and Loto-Québec. It also proposed consistent standards across the market, supported by licensing requirements and revenue-sharing arrangements.

The coalition recommended directing some gambling revenue toward community programmes and responsible gambling initiatives. Its proposals connect market reform with stronger consumer protections and oversight of advertising.

Estimates of gambling activity outside Quebec’s authorized system vary. One cited figure places Loto-Québec’s share at 17%, indicating substantial activity beyond its platform. The coalition argues that the existing structure also costs the province more than $300 million in potential annual tax revenue. That remains an industry estimate supporting its case for change.

Ontario and Alberta provide existing examples

Quebec would become Canada’s third province with a competitive regulated online gambling market if it follows through. Ontario introduced its commercial system in 2022, while Alberta opened its market earlier this year.

Ontario’s reported channelization rate reached 91.1% in 2026, compared with 83.7% the previous year. Those figures provide a reference point for discussions about moving gambling activity toward regulated services.

Alberta’s experience offers another comparison. Before regulation, the Alberta iGaming Corporation estimated that unregulated operators accounted for about 70% of provincial online gambling activity.

The province’s revenue arrangement allocates 2% of gross gaming revenue to First Nations and 1% to social responsibility initiatives. It then divides net iGaming revenue between operators, which receive 80%, and the government, which receives 20%.

The Alberta market launch brought 22 approved websites online on July 13. Play Alberta continued operating alongside commercial platforms under the new system.

Quebec’s political support for reform gives those provincial examples greater relevance. The next stage depends on whether its incoming government turns campaign commitments into legislation and establishes rules for private participation.

Source:

iGaming regulation expected after Parti Québécois election win, globalgaminginsider.com, October 6, 2026.