Coalition Pushes Online Gaming as Québec Budget Solution

Amidst Québec's staggering $11 billion deficit, a coalition advocating for the province to establish a regulated online gaming market has underscored the potential for substantial tax revenue generation through such measures. The Québec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC), funded by major online gaming entities like DraftKings, Flutter Entertainment, Entain, and Rush Street Interactive, seeks to position Québec as a more competitive market akin to Ontario and the prospective landscape in Alberta.

Expressing disappointment with the provincial government's reluctance to regulate the online gaming market, the coalition highlighted the opportunity to bolster revenues through the addition of new operators alongside funds currently flowing to Loto-Québec, the sole regulator of online gaming platforms in the province.

Coalition spokesperson Nathalie Bergeron stressed the tangible benefits of regulating the market, projecting potential annual royalties of at least $230 million in addition to existing revenues. This infusion of funds, Bergeron argued, could be reinvested in vital sectors like health and education, benefiting all residents of Québec.

Moreover, the coalition contends that opening the market could yield significant job creation opportunities. Citing Ontario's model, which contributed substantial revenues to provincial and municipal governments and bolstered the provincial gross domestic product, Bergeron emphasised the need for reform in Québec's online gaming operations.

Calls for a licensing and tax system for private operators, as well as the establishment of an independent regulatory body, have echoed since 2014, backed by experts in the field and public health organisations.

However, resistance persists from Loto-Québec, the incumbent regulator, which opposes any move towards market liberalization, citing concerns about player protection and compliance with existing regulations.

While the QOGC faces pushback, support for a more open market extends beyond gaming entities to include sports leagues such as the Canadian Football League, Major League Soccer, and the National Basketball Association. These leagues advocate for an independent regulatory body to safeguard game integrity and promote responsible gaming.

As Québec grapples with its budget deficit, the debate over online gaming regulation intensifies, with the potential to reshape the province's gaming landscape and economic future hanging in the balance.