Montreal is a vibrant city that offers many avenues for spending memorable time to locals and visitors alike. Gambling is one of the most popular pastimes in Canada, so it’s no surprise that many people are curious about the legal landscape in Quebec and its implications on the possibilities to play while located in Montreal. This makes sense since the gambling rules and regulations in Canada differ from one province to another, which can be very confusing for casual players.
In this article, we will try to shed some light on this topic and compare the Montreal gambling scene to the province in which it is located and the rest of the country.
What Kinds of Gambling Are Legal in Quebec?
Quebec is widely regarded as one of the most liberal provinces in Canada when it comes to legislating gambling activities. The province has a lower legal gambling age (18) than most other parts of the country, and it has a long tradition of casino and horse track racing dating back for decades. There is also a state-operated lottery that’s been in existence since the 1970s, and that has gradually expanded to offer many different forms of online games of chance.
Today, Quebec allows a plethora of gambling providers to offer services to its residents. This includes land based casinos, as well as online platforms for casino gaming or sports betting. Some of the racetracks in Quebec also feature slot machines on the premises, while poker rooms are operated in several locations. Some of the gambling establishments in the province enjoy special status since they are owned by First Nations, while others are government-run or privately owned.
Where to Find Gambling Venues in Montreal?
Along with Quebec City, Montreal is one of the cities in Quebec where it’s easiest to find great places to gamble. The most famous of those is certainly Casino de Montreal, which occupies two former Expo 67 halls on the Notre Dame Island and is open 7 days per week. You could also stop by the Magic Palace, where you can play video slots and classic casino games. There are also several other casinos located a short drive from the city, including Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau.
Montreal doesn’t have a race track any longer, since it closed in 2009. However, fans of sports betting can easily take part in the state-run game by filling out a ticket in any convenience store in the city. Another option is to visit one of the legal online sportsbooks that have a license to operate in Quebec. That way, you might get better odds and an opportunity to bet on a wider range of sports events. With all this in mind, you can engage in practically any type of gambling while you are staying in Montreal.
Online Gambling Options Available in Quebec
If you don’t feel like driving to the nearest gambling venue, it is also possible to gamble remotely in an online casino in Quebec using a smartphone or a computer. This Canadian province has a few local casino sites that are very popular among the residents, starting with the gaming site operated by LottoQuebec. Large international casino brands are available as well, and they tend to have more games and to grant larger welcome bonuses and loyalty rewards. All of those websites are very safe and guarantee that winnings are paid out without delays, while also offering self-exclusion and other responsible gambling features.
Some people prefer using offshore sites that are not registered in Quebec, but this is not a very smart course of action. While not technically illegal, this activity is associated with needless risk as the customer has no assistance from the authorities in case something goes wrong. With so many proven providers offering their online gambling services in Quebec, it’s simply not worth taking this risk just to gain a larger bonus or slightly better odds on a sports bet.
Is Montreal a Good Location If You Want to Gamble?
Considering the broad spectrum of legal gambling options available within the city and over the internet, Montreal is a great place to be if you enjoy a bit of gambling now and then. Between the luxurious Casino de Montreal and easily accessible lottery and sports betting, there is something to be found for every taste and pocket. In addition to venues located in the urban core of the city, it’s also very easy to reach several casinos located elsewhere in Quebec that could offer even more impressive service and a different atmosphere.
Compared to other cities in Canada, Montreal is probably a little more gambling-friendly than the national average. This is largely due to the fact that Quebec government has the freedom to set its gambling rules without interference from the federal government. Land based and online casinos and other gambling establishments are generating a lot of revenue to fuel local development, while also acting as a big driver of tourism. That’s why it’s logical to expect the gambling offer in Montreal to become even deeper and more diverse in the coming years.