Is online gambling legal in Quebec?

It is illegal for an operator to offer services in Canada without a provincial licence, but the law does not criminalize the player. Winnings are not taxable for recreational players. On lotoquebec.com you set a weekly deposit limit when you register, and you can use its self-exclusion program.

Play only on sites licensed in Quebec; those have to follow its player-protection rules.

Online sports betting is legal on sites licensed in Quebec. Online casino is legal on sites licensed in Quebec. Online poker is legal on sites licensed in Quebec. The lottery is legal on sites licensed in Quebec.

The minimum age on record for gambling in Quebec is 18+.

0%: Gambling winnings are not considered taxable income for recreational players in Canada. Winnings are only taxed if gambling is pursued as a business-like activity, which applies to a very small number of professional gamblers.

Always verify a casino holds a valid Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) licence before depositing.

Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ)'s website

Prominent operators in Quebec

If a site isn't on the regulator's licensee register, ask the regulator before you play: an unlisted site is usually not licensed here (a register can lag behind a new licence). An unlicensed site is outside the regulator's supervision, so you cannot complain to the regulator about it.

Player-protection tools

• ✓ Mandatory deposit limits
• ✓ Mandatory reality / time checks

1. 1

   1. Direct Complaint to Operator

   The first step is to contact Loto-Québec's customer service directly with the details of the dispute. They have an internal process for reviewing and resolving player issues.

2. 2

   2. Escalate to the Regulator (RACJ)

   If you are unsatisfied with Loto-Québec's resolution, you can file a formal complaint with the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ), which oversees the integrity of all legal gambling in the province.

3. 3

   3. Legal Action

   For unresolved disputes, the final recourse is civil action through the Quebec court system. This is only applicable to disputes with the legally sanctioned operator, Loto-Québec.

• ✓
  Confirm You Are on the Official Government Site

  The only 100% legal and provincially regulated online gambling site is lotoquebec.com. Check the URL carefully. Any other site, regardless of its branding or offers, is not licensed by the Government of Quebec.

• ✓
  Look for the Loto-Québec and Government of Quebec Logos

  The official site will prominently display the Loto-Québec logo and often references its status as a Crown corporation of the Government of Quebec. Offshore sites will not have this official branding.

• ✓
  Check for Integrated Responsible Gambling Tools

  The lotoquebec.com site requires you to set a weekly deposit limit upon registration and has prominent links to its self-exclusion program and the 'Jeu: aide et référence' helpline.

• ✓
  Verify French Language and Quebec-Specific Promotions

  The legal site is fully bilingual (French/English) and offers promotions and lottery products (like Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max) that are specific to the Canadian and Quebec market.

• Myth

  It's illegal for me to play on any site other than Loto-Québec.
  Reality

  While it is illegal for an operator to offer services in Canada without a provincial license, the law does not criminalize the player. Quebec residents access and use offshore sites widely without facing legal repercussions.

• Myth

  My winnings from online gambling are taxable.
  Reality

  In Canada, winnings from gambling are considered windfalls and are not taxed. This only changes if the Canada Revenue Agency deems the player to be a professional gambler earning a living from the activity, which is extremely rare.

• Myth

  All online casinos are the same, so I should just find the one with the biggest bonus.
  Reality

  Loto-Québec's platform is the only one regulated by the Quebec government. Playing there provides consumer protections, such as dispute resolution through the RACJ and mandatory responsible gambling tools, that are not guaranteed on offshore sites.

What you can expect from a licensed site's offers in Quebec. The rules operators must follow are on the operator page.