Residents of Quebec who have an interest in online casinos and gambling will find that they are well provided for, with many different options to choose from. The province’s gambling regulator, Loto-Québec, introduced the popular site Espacejeux.com in 2010 – making it the only official state-sanctioned gambling site in Quebec.
However, there are many more Quebec online casinos than just this one site. Thanks to local laws, no private companies based in the province can provide online gambling, but thankfully for players this does not apply to offshore sites. These overseas operators have filled the gap in the market, giving Quebec casino players a huge amount of variety and choice.
Here we take you through the history, legality, and current status of online casinos in Quebec, and show you how we use our expertise to help choose the best sites to play the games you love.
🏅 Best Quebec Online Casinos List 2026
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Gambling has always been popular in Quebec and other parts of Canada, but it has not always been as available as it is today. Here are just a few of the most significant events in the history of gambling in Quebec.
1767
First Horce Racing Event
The country’s first organised horse-racing event takes place in Quebec City
1892
Canadian Criminal Code
All forms of gambling are banned under the Canadian Criminal Code. Illegal gambling is popular and widespread.
1900
Charity Events
Bingo and raffles permitted in Canada for charity events.
1969
Criminal Code Amendment
An amendment to the criminal code allows provinces to run lotteries. In response, the authorities in Quebec form the first lottery corporation in Canada - the Société d’exploitation des loteries et courses du Québec, now known as Loto-Québec.
1979
Provinces in control of Lotteries
The federal government hands control of lotteries to the provinces.
1985
Legalization of other forms of Gambling
The government legalises other forms of gambling.
1990
Mise-o-jeu
Mise-o-jeu, a sports lottery, is launched by Loto-Québec.
1993
Casino de Montréal
The first land casino in the province - the Casino de Montréal - opens its doors.
1994
Casino de Charlevoix
The Casino de Charlevoix opens for business.
1996
New Land-Based Casinos
Two more land casinos open in Quebec, the Casino de Hull and the Cabaret du Casino de Montréal.
2007
Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières becomes the site of the province’s first gaming hall.
2010
Espacejeux.com
The launch of Espacejeux.com, the online casino site run by Loto-Québec.
2021
Single-Event Sports
Betting on single-event sports becomes legal in Canada, and is implemented in Quebec.
Gambling Legislation in Quebec
Gambling legislation in Quebec is governed by the Quebec Alcohol, Racing and Gaming Commission (Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux – the RACJ). The RACJ is responsible for regulating and overseeing all forms of gambling within the province, including casino gaming, lottery and bingo, and horse racing.
In Quebec, casino gaming is permitted only in establishments operated by Loto-Québec, which is the crown corporation responsible for overseeing how casinos, lottery, and bingo are implemented and run in the province. Horse racing is overseen by the Quebec Jockey Club.
The RACJ has the power to issue licences and permits, set rules and regulations, and enforce compliance with the laws and regulations governing gambling in Quebec. It also has the power to investigate and prosecute any violations of the laws and regulations, and to impose penalties and fines on violators.
In addition to its regulatory role, the RACJ also plays a role in the promotion and development of the gambling industry in Quebec. This includes working with stakeholders to develop new and innovative forms of gambling, and to promote responsible gambling practices.
Overall, the legislation in Quebec is designed to ensure that gambling is conducted in a safe and responsible manner, while also promoting economic development and generating revenue for the province. The RACJ and Loto-Québec both play a crucial role in ensuring that these goals are met by regulating, overseeing and promoting gambling in the province.
Gambling Laws in Quebec
Any Quebecer aged 18 or over is permitted to play gambling games in land casinos or by accessing the Espacejeux casino website. All of these are overseen by Loto-Québec, which means that players are rather limited when it comes to Quebec online gambling.
Thankfully, there are many excellent offshore casino operators which can be freely accessed and used by players in Quebec. These sites are not run from Canadian soil, so they fall outside the jurisdiction of the RACJ and Loto-Québec. Players will not face any punishment for using these sites, although they are not protected by Canadian law when playing there.
Loto-Québec has invested quite heavily in discouraging Quebecers from playing at Quebec casinos online that are operated from overseas. This includes an extensive advertising campaign, and a series of exclusivity agreements with some of the biggest suppliers in the industry. These agreements led to many offshore sites no longer providing certain games to players in Quebec, with those products subsequently being launched on Espacejeux.com.
The attempt to bring players back to the official site has seen some success. However, under the current laws there is no more that Loto-Québec can do to prevent residents from using offshore online casinos.
When single-event sports betting was legalised in 2021, it was quickly adopted in Quebec. The move led to a 76% jump in sales for the official sports betting site, Mise-o-jeu.
Taxes on Gambling Winnings
Winnings from gambling activities are not directly taxable in Quebec, since they are considered to be a windfall. If a player is deemed to be a professional, and makes a significant amount of money from poker or sports betting, for example, then that is considered as income and is taxable.
If you are fortunate enough to win a significant amount of money, then there may be taxes to pay down the line. This is because, while the lump sum itself is not subject to tax, any interest or investment revenue made from it is taxable.
Top Land-Based Casinos in Quebec
Quebec is home to several land-based casinos, each offering a unique gaming experience. Some of the best casinos in Quebec include:
Casino de Montreal: This casino is the largest in Quebec and offers a wide variety of games, including more than 3000 slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, and poker. It also has several restaurants and bars, as well as live entertainment. It was the first casino to be opened by Loto-Québec.
Casino de Charlevoix: Located in La Malbaie, this casino offers a luxury gaming experience with a beautiful view of the St. Lawrence River. It has a wide variety of games, including slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, and poker. It also has several restaurants and bars, as well as live entertainment.
Casino du Lac-Leamy: Located in Gatineau, this site was originally called Casino de Hull. As well as the packed casino, this location offers fine dining, bars, a nightclub, and a theatre. It is located at the Hilton Lac-Leamy, which has 350 luxury rooms to accommodate guests.
Casino de Mont-Tremblant: A couple of hours drive from Montreal, this casino nestles at the foot of a mountain. There are plenty of games in the casino, as well as entertainment, a popular and busy bar, and a restaurant. Visitors can also enjoy exploring the beautiful surroundings.
Off-Shore Online Casinos in Quebec
Espacejeux.com is definitely one of the better state-run online casino sites in Canada, but many players still prefer to access Quebec casinos online via offshore providers. There is currently no law preventing players from using these overseas operators, so they remain popular.
Quebec online casinos from off-shore providers can have a few advantages for players. They often have a wider variety of games, larger bonus offers, and better payout rates. Throughout Quebec, the payout percentage for electronic slot games is set at 92%, so we can assume that this is similar for the online casino. This stands in contrast to offshore sites, where the overall payout rate is closer to 96% for slot games.
Using offshore casinos can leave players vulnerable to rogue operators. We have compiled listings of safe and secure Quebec online casinos, by asking the following questions:
➡️ Is the site licensed by a known and trusted gambling regulator, for example the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority?
➡️ Does the site have sufficient online security protocols to protect all user data?
➡️ Is the site easy to use on a variety of devices?
With over six years of experience in content writing, Lyndsey is knowledgeable in various aspects in the gambling world, particularly in online casino reviews. Lyndsey studied English at the University of Malta and holds a Masters Degree in English and the Media.
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