Online casinos in Quebec: what’s legal
In Quebec, only Loto-Québec runs legal online casino games. The province tried to make internet providers block other sites in 2016; the courts struck the law down.
Is it legal to play online?
Yes, on Loto-Québec. The province’s Crown corporation, Loto-Québec, is the only legal operator of online casino games in Quebec, through lotoquebec.com. Quebec does not license private online casinos. You must be 18 or older.
Who runs online gambling in Quebec
Under section 207 of the Criminal Code, a province may conduct and manage gambling itself. Quebec does this through Loto-Québec, which runs the casinos, lotteries and the online platform. Its former online brand was Espacejeux; online games are now on lotoquebec.com. Sports betting is sold under the Mise-o-jeu name.
Quebec has not created a licensing system for private online casinos like Ontario’s or Alberta’s. Loto-Québec is also one of the provincial lottery corporations appealing Ontario’s plan to let its players share games with players abroad; that case was heard by the Supreme Court of Canada on October 7, 2026.
The 2016 site-blocking law and how it ended
In 2016, Quebec’s National Assembly passed Bill 74, which carried out a measure from the 2015 budget. It amended the Consumer Protection Act so that internet service providers could not give access to online gambling sites not authorized under Quebec law. Loto-Québec was to draw up the list of sites to block.
- In December 2016, the CRTC said in Telecom Decision 2016-479 that internet providers may not block websites without the CRTC’s approval under the federal Telecommunications Act.
- The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association challenged the law. In July 2018, the Superior Court of Québec ruled the blocking provisions unconstitutional: they dealt with telecommunications and criminal law, which are federal matters.
- On May 5, 2021, the Court of Appeal of Québec confirmed that a province cannot force internet providers to block websites (2021 QCCA 730).
- Quebec asked the Supreme Court of Canada for leave to appeal. The Supreme Court dismissed the application with costs.
The result: no Quebec law forces internet providers to block offshore casinos. That does not make those casinos licensed in Quebec.
How to check a site is legal in Quebec
- The only legal online casino is on lotoquebec.com. Check the address in your browser.
- Any other casino that accepts a Quebec address is not authorized by the province, whatever licence it shows.
- If you use an offshore site, check its licence in the foreign regulator’s own register before you deposit. Our safest casinos checklist shows how.
What this means for players
On lotoquebec.com, Quebec rules apply: identity and age checks, the self-exclusion program and Loto-Québec customer service.
Offshore casinos, including the ones we review, accept players from Quebec but are not authorized by the province. Quebec cannot help you if a withdrawal is refused. Your route is the regulator in the casino’s licence, if it has one. We time a real withdrawal at each casino for this reason; see how we test.
Quebec held a general election in October 2026. We have not seen an official announcement about opening the market to private operators.
Self-exclusion and help
Loto-Québec’s self-exclusion program lets you block access to your lotoquebec.com account for a period you choose. When you enrol, Jeu: aide et référence can support you.
Jeu: aide et référence is free, confidential and open 24/7 across Quebec at 1-800-461-0140, or 514-527-0140 in the Montreal area. More options are on our responsible gambling page.
If a fake site took your money
Stop sending money and call your bank or card issuer at once. Report the site to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or online, and keep screenshots of the site and your payments. Copycat sites sometimes use the name or look of Loto-Québec; the real one is only at lotoquebec.com.
Quebec and the other provinces
| Province | Private online casinos | Provincial site | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Yes, registered with AGCO + iGaming Ontario | PlayOLG | 19 |
| British Columbia | No | PlayNow | 19 |
| Alberta | Regulated market (AGLC) | PlayAlberta | 18 |
| Quebec | No | Loto-Québec | 18 |
| Manitoba | No | PlayNow | 18 |
| Saskatchewan | No | PlayNow | 19 |
| New Brunswick | No | Atlantic Lottery | 19 |
| Nova Scotia | No | Atlantic Lottery | 19 |
| Prince Edward Island | No | Atlantic Lottery | 19 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | No | Atlantic Lottery | 19 |
FAQ
What is the gambling age in Quebec?
18, for casinos, lottery and online play on lotoquebec.com.
Are offshore casinos blocked in Quebec?
No. The 2016 law that would have forced internet providers to block them was struck down by the Superior Court and the Court of Appeal of Québec. Offshore casinos are still not authorized by the province.
Can I play in French?
Loto-Québec’s site is in French and English. Offshore casinos vary; our reviews say whether the site and the support chat are available in French.
Are my winnings taxed in Quebec?
Recreational gambling winnings are generally not taxable in Canada. Interest earned on them is. See gambling winnings and tax.
Sources
- Government of Saskatchewan: Don’t fall for fake casino ads online (Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre number) (checked November 3, 2026)
- Justice Laws: Criminal Code, section 207 (checked November 3, 2026)
- CRTC: Telecom Decision CRTC 2016-479 (checked November 3, 2026)
- Fasken: Quebec Court of Appeal strikes down provincial site-blocking law (summary of 2021 QCCA 730) (checked November 3, 2026)
- Supreme Court of Canada: Judgment on leave application, Attorney General of Quebec v. Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (checked November 3, 2026)
- Supreme Court of Canada: Case 42141 (checked November 3, 2026)
- Jeu: aide et référence (checked November 3, 2026)
- Loto-Québec (checked November 3, 2026; page did not load for us)