The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC) believes that a regulated iGaming market that allows the participation of private operators would bring massive benefits to the province, especially in terms of maximizing the province’s iGaming potential and generating revenues that can be used to fund important economic programs.
Quebec is home to an estimated 8.7 million people, making it Canada’s second-most populous province. With such a huge market, Quebec is sure to attract some of the biggest operators, just like Ontario.
Major Online Poker Operators Eyeing Quebec Expansion
When it comes to online poker, Ontarians currently have five networks to choose from: PokerStars, GGPoker/WSOP, 888poker, and the BetMGM/partypoker/bwin network. These sites are likely to expand to Quebec if the province launches its own regulated online poker market.
There is no timeline yet for when regulated online poker could go live in Quebec, but the QOGC is now coordinating with the government and will be working with authorities in developing a regulatory system using the Ontario model.
The province should have been the first in Canada to open a regulated iGaming market if only the previous government followed recommendations from a group of academics back in 2014 for a licensing framework for private operators. Should the QOGC succeed with its plans, Quebec will become just the second province in the country to welcome private operators.