Online Gaming in Québec

In February 2011, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation's online gaming site, PlayNow.com, and Québec's Espacejeux joined the Canadian Poker Network, allowing residents of the two provinces to play poker against each other. The Canadian Poker Network, established in December 2010, uses software developed by GTECH G2. The network is designed to handle over 10,000 concurrent players.

In March 2015, the province announced plans to propose new legislation that would compel internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to a list of unlicensed gambling sites drawn up by Loto-Québec. Strong opposition from consumer and internet advocacy groups prevented any such legislation moving forward in 2015.

In May 2016, the Québec National Assembly passed it as part of a budget implementation bill. The legislation is facing challenges from both inside and outside the gaming sector, especially from the telecommunications industry.

In October 2023, the Québec National Assembly enacted Bill 21 (An Act to amend the Act respecting lotteries, publicity contests and amusement machines), granting Loto-Québec expanded authority to regulate new digital gambling products, impose conditions on operators of amusement machines with prizes, and strengthen oversight of emerging online gaming forms, including electronic games of skill with monetary prizes. Bill 21 also strengthened responsible gambling provisions across all of Loto-Québec's digital platforms.

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