Gambling Coalition Pushes Quebec on iGaming Regulations

A coalition of private online gaming companies is calling on the Quebec government to set up a regulatory framework for online gambling, arguing that the province is losing tax revenue and leaving consumers exposed to unregulated sites. 

In a brief submitted to the Quebec Ministry of Finance as part of pre-budget consultations, the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition, which comprises operators such as DraftKings, Flutter (FanDuel), Rush Street Interactive (BetRivers), and Entain (bwin), said an estimated 2,000 websites offer casino games, sports betting, and poker to Quebec residents currently, and these have limited provincial oversight. 

The group also says that the absence of a broader regulatory structure could be costing the province over $300 million in annual tax revenue.

The coalition says that Quebec’s current focus remains largely on government-operated and land-based gaming offerings, including Loto-Quebec’s online platform, gaming halls, video lottery terminals, and bingo, and urges the province to adopt rules that would add online gambling to its market.  

Among its recommendations are establishing an independent regulatory body to oversee all online gaming operators, both public and private, and developing Quebec-specific standards covering areas such as advertising and age verification. 

The coalition also suggests the introduction of a licensing system for private companies linked to revenue-sharing agreements, and the allocation of a portion of online gaming revenue to support prevention and gambling harm programs

According to the coalition, it is ready to work with the government on measures addressing consumer protection, anti-money laundering safeguards, and responsible gaming. It is not yet clear whether the provincial government will be taking these proposals forward. 

BetRivers opens Alberta pre-registration

Meanwhile, in Alberta, betting operator BetRivers has launched a pre-registration website for Alberta residents ahead of the anticipated opening of a regulated online gaming market in the province.

The brand, which is operated by Rush Street Interactive, said the site allows prospective users to sign up ahead of Alberta’s expected iGaming framework. The announcement coincides with BetRivers’ sponsorship agreement with CBC and Radio-Canada for coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. 

Under the arrangement, BetRivers will be the sole sports betting and online gaming partner for the broadcaster’s Olympic coverage.

Rush Street Interactive operates in several regulated North American jurisdictions and has an established presence in the Ontario sports betting and Ontario online casino markets, which launched in 2022. The perceived success of that launch has led other provinces to consider a similar step, and Alberta is expected to launch its own online gambling sector later this year. 

The province’s gambling regulator, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission, also published its iGaming standards and requirements last month, laying out the framework of its upcoming Alberta sports betting and Alberta online casino markets. As part of this, operators will be required to pay a $50,000 application fee and a $150,000 annual registration fee. 

There will also be an 80/20 revenue split in favor of operators, with 2% of generated revenue allocated to First Nations and 1% to social responsibility measures.