Quebec's new government backs regulated iGaming, but launch is years away

The Parti Québécois, which won a minority government in Quebec on 5 October, has said it favours liberalising the province's online gambling market. Lawyers Ron and Alon Segev said establishing a licensing framework for private operators is likely two to three years away. Ron Segev noted Quebec's legal system runs on a civil code, not common law, and its online gambling market remains a monopoly of Loto-Québec. This means significant regulatory and legislative work is required, making a rapid launch improbable. Despite the challenges, Ron Segev said "the juice is worth the squeeze" and pointed to movement in Atlantic Canada, suggesting "the dominoes may be falling."

Alon Segev highlighted the strong performance of Alberta's iGaming market, which launched on 13 July. He said it has outperformed Ontario's launch when adjusted for population size, with better results in account sign-ups, revenue and per capita spending. Alberta has about five million residents, compared to Ontario's 16 million. Alon Segev attributed the stronger start to lessons learned from the Ontario launch and the use of conditional approvals for early operators. The lawyers also discussed a constitutional court case concerning whether provinces can share poker liquidity with jurisdictions outside Canada. Ron Segev explained the case hinges on the federal "conduct and manage" principle, which makes gambling illegal unless a province conducts and manages it. He predicted the decision will favour Ontario, observing that some arguments from opponents concentrated on black-market risks instead of the constitutional issue.

Ron Segev expressed concern about the intensity of gambling advertising, citing an example where a sports betting ad aired every 90 seconds during the World Cup. He voiced support for proposed safeguards in draft digital safety legislation. Ron Segev stated that gambling, as an entertainment product, should be consumed "with some more moderation." The developments in Quebec and Alberta signal a continued transformation of Canada's regulated iGaming landscape.