Montreal sits in a province that runs gambling differently than the rest of Canada. Quebec keeps online casino gaming under tight provincial control, which means residents face a set of rules that apply nowhere else in the country. Loto-Québec, established in 1969, holds the monopoly on legal online gambling through its Espacejeux platform, launched in December 2010. The province has no intention of opening the market to private operators. A spokesperson for Quebec’s Finance Ministry told La Tribune that following Ontario’s deregulation model is not on the table, citing concerns about gambling advertisement overexposure and the trivialization of betting.
This guide covers the practical details Montreal players need to know before placing a bet online.
The Age Requirement is Lower Here
Quebec sets the legal gambling age at 18, which puts it alongside Alberta and Manitoba as one of three provinces with this lower threshold. Most other Canadian provinces require players to be 19. This applies to both online platforms and land-based venues, including the Casino de Montreal on Notre Dame Island.
Proof of age may be requested when creating an online account or entering a physical casino. The same age minimum applies to the casino’s restaurants, bars, and the Cabaret du Casino.
What the Province Permits and Where the Lines Blur
Quebec restricts online gambling to Espacejeux, the platform run by Loto-Québec. This means playing legal online casino games in Quebec requires an account on that site, along with geolocation turned on and proof you are 18 or older. Deposits go through Visa, MasterCard, Interac Online, or bill payment, and withdrawals happen by bank transfer only.
Offshore operators licensed in Malta, Curaçao, or Kahnawake continue to accept Quebec players because Bill 74’s blocking provision was struck down as unconstitutional in 2018. Using these sites is not illegal for players, though the province discourages it.
Why Bill 74 Failed
Quebec attempted to block offshore gambling sites through legislation passed on May 17, 2016. Bill 74 would have forced internet service providers to prevent Quebec residents from accessing unlicensed gambling websites. This approach was unprecedented in Canada.
The Superior Court of Quebec ruled against the law in July 2018. The court found that Bill 74 encroached on two areas under federal jurisdiction: telecommunications and criminal law. The ruling stated that the actual purpose of the legislation was to prevent competition with government-run gambling rather than to protect consumers or their health.
This decision created a grey market where offshore sites continue operating without provincial interference.
What Espacejeux Offers
The Loto-Québec platform hosts over 2,051 casino games. The selection includes slots, table games, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, video poker, keno, bingo, scratch cards, and live dealer games. A mobile app provides access to the same content, though geolocation must remain active for it to function.
Sports betting operates through Mise-o-jeu+, which the province promotes as “100% local, 100% legal.” After Bill C-218 legalized single-game wagering across Canada in 2021, Quebec sportsbooks now permit bets on single events. The platform also allows betting on entertainment award ceremonies and esports.
Moving Money In and Out
Deposits work through several methods: Visa, MasterCard, Interac Online, online coupons, and bill payment. Withdrawals are limited to bank transfers, so players must link their Espacejeux account to a bank account. Once that connection is made, the process becomes routine.
The platform charges no hidden fees on transactions. There are also no caps on withdrawal amounts.
Tools for Managing Your Betting
Loto-Québec includes responsible gambling features on its platform. The Manage My Gambling section allows players to set deposit limits, time limits, and loss limits. The mobile app provides the same controls.
These tools are voluntary but accessible at any point during gameplay.
Who Regulates All of This
Two bodies handle gambling oversight in Quebec. Loto-Québec runs the actual gaming operations, while the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux serves as the provincial regulator. The two institutions work together to manage licensing and enforcement within the province.
Bill 74 had empowered Loto-Québec to compile lists of unlicensed gambling sites and submit them to the regulator for blocking. That mechanism became ineffective after the court ruling.
Growth in Online Participation
Research from Concordia University and Université Laval tracked online gambling rates among Quebec residents. In 2018, about 5% of Quebecers gambled online. By 2020 and 2021, that figure had reached 15%. Projections suggest online gambling user penetration in Canada will hit 20.38 million users by 2027, representing a 51% increase.
Land-Based Gambling Remains Strong
The Casino de Montreal draws over 7 million visitors each year. The facility offers more than 3,200 slot machines and 115 table games, both electronic and live dealer formats. The Société des casinos du Quebec operates three other casinos in the province: Casino de Charlevoix, Casino du Lac-Leamy, and Casino de Mont-Tremblant.
In December 2023, Loto-Québec announced a $150 million expansion plan for the Casino de Montreal. The project includes a 200-room hotel adjacent to the current building, with construction expected to take up to 3 years.
What Montreal Players Should Know Before Starting
Create an Espacejeux account to access legal online gambling in Quebec. Keep geolocation active on your device. Link a bank account for withdrawals. Use the responsible gambling tools if you want to set spending or time limits.
Offshore sites remain accessible and are not illegal to use, but they operate outside provincial regulation. The choice between the two comes down to personal preference and risk tolerance.
Quebec maintains its position against market deregulation. The province views controlled gambling as preferable to the advertising saturation and mobile gambling expansion that followed Ontario’s regulatory changes. For Montreal residents, this means Espacejeux remains the only sanctioned option for online casino play within provincial borders.