Is Gambling Legal in Quebec? A 2025 Guide to Regulation and Licensing
- Author: Aleksa Radulovic
- Last update: 14.06.2025
-
Affiliate disclosure
Affiliate disclosure
Citeulike is a self-governing website that offers comparisons of various online casinos. It includes affiliate links, which could result in us receiving a commission if you decide to accept any of the offers we list. Our expert team focuses on identifying top-notch bonuses and safe casino options for your gaming experience. We meticulously evaluate each bonus prior to incorporating it into our site.
Important Notice: This content is for reference only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. For official information, contact your local regulatory authorities.
Wondering is gambling legal in Quebec? While there are certain distinctions to consider, gambling is indeed legal in this Canadian province. Quebec offers a wide range of gambling activities in both English and French in traditional land-based casinos as well as in online casinos. From government-run platforms like Espacejeux to other casinos, it’s important to know the rules and choose trusted operators. This guide highlights the key facts to help you gamble safely and legally in Quebec.
Regulatory Framework
When assessing the legal landscape of gambling in Quebec, it's important that you first learn about the regulatory framework of gambling in this Canadian province. For a gambling operator to create and run a Quebec online casino legally, it's important that it adheres to the laws, rules and regulations of the province. In this section, we'll discuss the ins and outs when it comes to the online gambling laws in Quebec and in the country of Canada.
Federal and Provincial Laws
There are 3 main federal and provincial gambling laws in Canada:
Criminal Code of Canada: This is one of the most important laws that outlines the federal legal framework for gambling in Canada. The gambling offences are found in part VII, in the Disorderly Houses, Gaming and Betting section. Offences relate to Betting and Book-Making, Keeping a Gaming/Betting House, as well as Placing bets on behalf of others.
Loi sur les loteries, les concours publicitaires et les appareils d'amusement: This is the provincial law of Quebec that governs lotteries and so-called amusement machines.
Loi sur la Société des loteries du Québec: This law is known for establishing Loto-Quebec's mandate and operations. This regulatory body oversees the lottery and gaming aspects of life in Quebec. It also enforces the online gambling laws of Quebec.
These gambling laws are important to go through if you want to have best legal Quebec online gaming experience.
Regulatory Bodies
The two main bodies handling the implementing of online gambling Quebec laws are:
Loto-Québec: This is the crown corporation that's responsible for supervising and managing the lottery and gaming activities in the Canadian province of Quebec.
Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ): This regulatory body in Quebec regulates alcohol, racing and gambling activities. This includes licensing of casinos as well as enforcement of gambling laws.
Legal Gambling Options in Quebec
When in Canada, we recommend that you only gamble at Quebec betting sites that are created under and adhere to the gambling laws of the province. There are quite a few options in this regard, as there are both legal land-based casinos and online casino sites alike. In this section, we'll discuss the best legal gambling and sports betting options in Quebec. You can always find more detailed information about the federal gambling rules by doing additional research. Be sure to note that transaction-processing rules apply to casinos online as in all other venues in Canada.
Land-Based Casinos
Canadian players can visit a bunch of different well-known land-based casinos in the province of Quebec, as operated and supervised by Loto-Quebec:
Casino de Montréal: This casino is the largest in Quebec. It's also one of the largest casinos in the entire world in terms of the size of its gaming equipment. The live entertainment at this casino attracts not only fans of gambling - but also even non-gamblers. There are lots of retail locations in the vicinity, too.
Casino du Lac-Leamy: With 1,756 gaming spots and 64 tables, Casino du Lac-Leamy is also one of the top-visited land-based gambling sites in Quebec and Canada.
Casino de Charlevoix: This Loto Quebec casino is the go-to, premier place for fans of gambling in Canada. It offers a huge variety of table games and astonishing slot machines alike.
Casino de Mont-Tremblant: An elegant casino, as its name suggests, Casino de Mont-Trembland is found at the foot of the Mont-Tremblant mountain. It too is a Quebec gambling haven with hundreds of games that attracts thousands of Quebec players daily.
As you can see, there's no shortage of land-based Quebec gambling casinos. You can visit any of these casinos and chances are that you'll have lots of fun, owing to the friendly nature of the staff and the numerous games that you can play.
Online Gambling
Online gaming is also legal in Quebec. You can visit casinos with many casino games and have fun playing. There are 2 online betting options that you can legally visit if you're a resident of Quebec:
Espacejeux: This is the official Quebec gambling online site for residents of this province, as governed and supervised by Loto-Quebec. At this Quebec online site, you can play lots of games such as card games, table games and other gaming options, including online sportsbook betting.
Offshore Casinos: The offshore websites aren't regulated by the official bodies of Quebec, such as Loto-Quebec - however it's not illegal for players in Canada to visit these sites and gamble - as long as they're of legal gambling age. It's important for players to exercise caution and make sure that these platforms are properly licensed to ensure a safe and fair gaming experience. Best of all, you can get access to attractive bonus systems for casino games at offshore casinos. You can also read about license authorities - for example, about the regulation of online gambling in the UK.
Regardless of where you choose to play as a player in Quebec, it's important to have fun and not take things too seriously. Both Espacejeux and the top-rated offshore casinos have lots of high-quality gambling games. Offshore sites are also known to offer very generous bonuses, especially to new players, so make sure to use this opportunity and play for free.
Sports Betting in Quebec
Sports betting (and online sports betting) is completely legal in Quebec. You can legally engage in single event sports betting or placing parlay bets - as long as you're of legal gambling age. When it comes to online sports betting in Quebec and Canada, there are two main categories of sites:
Quebec licensed sites: There are 2 main Quebec betting sites: Mise-o-Jeu and Mise-o-jeu+. These sports betting platforms are licensed to operate under the provisions and regulatory authority of Loto-Quebec, as well as the provincial and federal gambling laws of Canada. Both the Mise-o-Jeu and Mise-o-jeu+ sports betting platforms are known to offer premium online sports betting services with enhanced betting odds on single event betting and parlay bets. You'll find lots of betting markets at these top-rated Quebec betting sites. Best of all, Quebec sites have support in French and English.
Offshore sportsbooks: There are also lots of real practical examples of offshore casinos where it's not illegal to play for residents of Quebec. These are are also an important part of the Quebec online sports betting landscape. Offshore online sports betting sites aren't licensed or regulated by the official regulatory bodies of Quebec - but it's still legal to engage in online sports betting here. Again, you need to make sure to do some research on whether the offshore online sports betting platforms are licensed and safe to visit.
Whether you'll play at a Loto Quebec-licensed casino websites sites and sportsbook or offshore sportsbooks, you're bound to have lost of fun engaging in online betting. The availability of many betting markets, as well as enhanced odds for certain sports events, means that you can use this to your advantage and win big sums of real money. Remember to bet responsibly and check our detailed rating on the most reliable gaming portals.
Licensing and Compliance
As we mentioned before, there are several Quebec gambling laws that regulate this field, as enforced by the Quebec Government. When it comes to licensing and compliance, all gaming operators in Quebec need to adhere to the gambling laws of the province to operate legally. They must obtain proper licenses from the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) regulatory body. This includes casino operators, video lottery terminal operators, as well as bingo halls.
It's important to note the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, too. This is an official regulatory authority that's located in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake. Under the gambling laws of Canada, it's empowered license and regulated online gaming operators in the country.
Above all else, players should be aware that they should play only at licensed gaming sites - regardless if it's native Canadian casinos or offshore gaming sites. This guarantees that the player will be safe and that he or she will get a fair gaming experience unmarred by any unfair practices.
Responsible Gambling Resources
Responsible gambling is a very serious topic in Canada and all licensed operators have to offer tools and resources under Canadian gambling laws. Some of the most important tools and resources that you should consider when it comes to responsible gambling at Quebec online sportsbooks and casinos are:
Self-Exclusion Programs: These programs are available to all individuals that wish to self-exclude and bar their own access to Quebec gambling and online sports betting sites. You can use tools such as self-exclusion, time limits, deposit limits, reality checks and more.
Support Services: You'll find that there are several organizations that specialize in providing help to players that have problems with excessive gambling. One such organization is Gamblers Anonymous. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you need help advice on responsible gaming.
Educational Resources: In the modern day and age, it's very easy to find ample educational resources regarding responsible gaming. For example, you can check the Wise Play website for more information and responsible gambling resources at Quebec online gaming sites.
Remember, responsible gaming is very important to adhere to at all times. If you feel that you experience any issues with gambling compulsions and gambling addiction, you should always use all the educational resources for gambling in Quebec to come out on the other side, happy and healthy.
Conclusion
Gambling in Quebec is legal, regulated, and accessible through both land-based and online platforms like Espacejeux and international casinos. With clear licensing rules, tax exemptions for players, and consumer protections in place, Quebec provides a safe and structured environment for gambling. Whether you're a resident or a visitor, understanding the laws, operators, and your rights helps ensure a responsible and enjoyable experience within the province's legal framework.
References
- "Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux". RACJ. Accessed on 9 June 2025
- "Gambling and Internet gaming". Government of Canada. Accessed on 9 June 2025
- "Loi sur la Société des loteries du Québec". Government of Quebec. Accessed on 9 June 2025
- "Welcome to the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission". Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Accessed on 9 June 2025
- "There is Hope". Gamblers Anonymous. Accessed on 9 June 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The answer to the question of "is online gambling legal in Quebec" is a resounding yes. Under the gambling laws of Quebec and Canada, it's legal to gamble, as long as you're of legal age to do so. Players have the option to play at Quebec online gaming sites and offshore casinos alike.
The gambling laws of Quebec allow players to engage in online betting Quebec experiences on sports. There are 2 sports betting platforms that are licensed in the country - and many offshore sites where you can bet on sports.
The minimum age for Quebec gambling is 18. This means that it's illegal for you to gamble if you're 17 and below.
Yes, there are lots of Quebec gambling sites that you can visit to engage in Quebec online gaming. There are also many offshore sites where you can gamble legally. You can even engage in gambling on mobile by using the casino apps.
If you are a casual gambler, you won't have to pay any taxes on your gambling winnings in Quebec. You only need to pay taxes on your gambling winnings if you're a professional gambler.
About the author
Aleksa Radulovic is an expert in casinos and the Editor for all English-speaking regions at Citeulike. With years of experience in the gaming industry, Aleksa helps players find the best online casinos and bonus offers. He’s passionate about sharing tips and insights to make online gaming enjoyable and easy to understand. A fan of strategy-based games, Aleksa enjoys exploring both traditional and modern casino games, always staying on top of the latest trends in the industry.