Quebec Online Gaming Coalition Pushes for Regulation and Revenue

The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC), established in 2023, is advocating for the regulation of online gambling in Quebec. The coalition, comprised of influential iGaming insiders, has urged the Quebec government to address the significant tax revenue, estimated at $300 million annually, that is being missed due to the lack of a regulated online gambling market. This unregulated market currently includes over 2,000 iGaming sites operating without local licenses or regulations.

QOGC has issued a set of recommendations for iGaming regulations, drawing from the experiences of Ontario and Alberta. The key recommendations include establishing an independent regulatory body to oversee all online gambling entities, imposing government standards for Quebec iGaming, and setting criteria for private companies to obtain gaming licenses along with revenue-share agreements. Additionally, QOGC proposes allocating a portion of the revenue generated from iGaming to community programs and gambling prevention. The coalition is committed to working with local authorities and industry stakeholders to create a healthy and successful online gambling framework, addressing issues such as consumer safety, money laundering, responsible gambling, and advertising.

Online poker operators like GGPoker, PokerStars, and BetMGM have expressed interest in launching their products in Quebec, following the successful regulation of Ontario's online gambling market in 2022. A QOGC poll in 2023 revealed that two-thirds of Quebecers support an expanded regulated iGaming market, indicating a strong public interest in this development.