Online Poker in Quebec: Gambling Laws & Legality
Quebec has taken a different path compared to its neighboring province, Ontario. Instead of a regulated market with the presence of the world’s largest poker rooms, Quebec established a monopoly. The right to create a monopolistic room was granted to Loto-Québec, and their product launched in December 2010 was Espace Jeux (OKPoker). At the time of writing this article, the room offers 29 gaming tables accommodating 74 players. At its peak, the room gathers fewer than 500 players, allowing for tournaments with low buy-ins. This means you are unlikely to have the opportunity to play even on a few low-limit tables.
In this article, we will explore the regulation of online poker in Quebec, determine which sweepstakes brands accept players from this province, and examine the prospects that Quebec residents might foresee.
Legality of Online Poker in Quebec
Espace Jeux (OKPoker) is the only legal poker room that has obtained the monopoly rights to operate in Quebec. International rooms operating under offshore licenses are illegal, but the Quebec provincial regulator does not restrict access to them.
This creates potential problems for Quebec residents, as they effectively have access to illegal games where their rights will not be protected in case of violations. In contrast, the neighboring province of Ontario allows major brands to obtain licenses provided they open an office within the province.
| Status | Online Poker is Legal |
| Start Date | December 2010 |
| Legal Poker Rooms | Espace Jeux (OKPoker) |
| Shared Liquidity | Yes. With British Columbia and Manitoba. Saskatchewan soon. |
| Legal Sweepstakes Poker | clubWPT |
| Minimum Age | 18+ |
| Regulator | Loto-Québec |
| Tax | From 14% for professional players |
Espace Jeux Monopoly
In December 2010, Loto-Québec launched its own online poker platform. The company obtained the exclusive right to operate within Quebec, although until that time, residents of the province had access to thousands of gaming sites, including hundreds offering services in French.
In 2014, a specially created commission compiled a list of brands that provide illegal services to Quebec residents, but the situation has not changed over the past ten years.
Espace Jeux remains the monopolist, but Quebec residents prefer offshore companies that operate illegally but provide higher quality services.
In response to the monopolist’s low service quality, the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC) was formed, advocating for the establishment of a regulated market similar to Ontario’s. The argument in favor of regulation includes increased tax revenues and the safety of Quebec residents.
Major sports leagues, including the NBA, MLS, and CFL, support the QOGC. In 2023, representatives of the coalition held a meeting with the provincial government, but the situation remained unchanged in the following year.
Canadian Poker Network (CPN)
Players from Quebec, when playing on Espace Jeux, have access to the Canadian Poker Network (CPN). This poker network is based on software created in February 2011 and includes players from British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec. Saskatchewan was expected to join them by early 2024.
The Canadian Poker Network operates under the “PlayNow” brand (owned by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation) in other parts of Canada, while in Quebec, the operator is Espace-Jeux.
In 2024, the network held a raffle of 150 WSOP tickets, and the most popular event was tournaments associated with the WSOP Millionaire Maker.
Poker Rooms Accepting Players from Quebec
Is it a crime to play online poker? According to Quebec regulations, you are not held responsible for registering with a poker room and starting to play. Similarly, poker rooms operating under offshore licenses are not held accountable. Therefore, many poker rooms, including GGPoker, accept players from Canada.
PokerStars Québec
If you visit the PokerStars website, you can register an account while in Quebec. You can already play poker, but due to the lack of local regulation, you are exposed to additional risks. Nevertheless, PokerStars has been operating for over 20 years and is known for its honest treatment of clients and the security of funds even in critical situations.
PokerStars offers a wide selection of cash tables and tournaments, as well as its own North American Poker Tour series, with the final taking place in Las Vegas.
The room provides quality service, including in French.
The parent company of PokerStars (Flutter) is part of the QOGC coalition and is working towards the legalization of online poker in Quebec.
888poker Québec
888Poker allows you to register an account and even receive a starting $20 after completing verification.
888Poker can be an attractive room for beginner players thanks to its no-deposit bonus, a good schedule of affordable tournaments, and active cash games.
The room is already operating legally in Ontario and is interested in legalizing online poker in Quebec.
GGPoker Québec
On the GGPoker website, you will be greeted by Canadian Daniel Negreanu, and after registering an account, you will receive a 100% deposit bonus up to $600 or a $100 instant bonus, which is given in the form of tournament tickets and All-in or Fold rewards. The room is an international leader and is legally present in the neighboring province of Ontario, while also developing the WSOP brand in Canada.
In the event of the legal market opening, a quick launch of GGPoker.ca in Quebec can be expected, as well as the organization of a local WSOP series for provincial residents.
DraftKings Electric Poker (Possible)
DraftKings is a member of the QOGC coalition and is working on the legalization of online gambling in Quebec. In 2024, the brand launched its own online poker platform, Electric Poker, which is expanding into legal states in the USA. If the Quebec market opens, DraftKings is expected to be one of the first players in this market.
Sweepstakes Poker in Quebec
Sweepstakes is a format where poker or casino enthusiasts can play completely for free. This free play uses Gold Coins (GC), and in addition, players can receive special Sweep Coins (SC) as a bonus, which can be exchanged for real prizes. The leaders in this area are Stake.com and GlobalPoker, but both rooms do not accept players from Quebec.
The available sweepstakes poker option remains clubWPT—a poker room where you can purchase a subscription and play social poker, including competing for tickets to live tournaments in the WPT series.
Live poker in Quebec
If you want to find a live poker game, head to Montreal. Here you will find four casinos with poker tables. The best option is Playground Poker Club, located at 1500 QC-138, Kahnawake, QC J0L 1B0, Canada.
In this small building, there are up to 61 poker tables, and regular poker tournaments are held. On the casino’s tournament schedule website, you can see up to three live tournaments daily. Buy-ins range from C$100 for freezeouts and C$50 for re-buys up to C$2,000. The most interesting events are the satellites for live tournaments in the WPT series.
The second largest in terms of table count is Casino de Montréal, where you can find up to 12 gaming tables. The casino is located at 1900 Rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montréal, QC H1H 1A9, Canada. It is a very beautiful place that can be recommended to any tourist. There are several nice restaurants, but it is unlikely you will find good poker games there.
The last alternative for poker enthusiasts is Grand Royal Wolinak Casino, located at 10275 Chemin Leblanc, Bécancour, QC G9H 2X4, Canada. This small casino may not impress you with luxurious restaurants, but here you will find several live poker tournaments daily. Buy-ins start at C$40, with the most expensive tournaments at C$240.
Gambling Problems
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, help is available 24/7 through the confidential, bilingual, and free service Gambling: Help and Referral at 1-800-461-0140. Specialized counselors can listen, support, and guide you towards recovery by identifying your needs, exploring solutions, and referring you to appropriate resources. Additionally, psychosocial helplines such as Info-Santé (811, ext. 1), Info-Social (811, ext. 2), and Suicide Prevention (1-866-277-3553) are available for further assistance. For personalized support, various help centres across Québec offer services by appointment, including La Maison Jean Lapointe in Montréal (514-288-2611), Centre CASA in Québec City (418-871-8380), CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec in Trois-Rivières (819-375-3111), Centre de réadaptation en dépendance de l’Outaouais in Gatineau (819-776-5584), Centre de santé communautaire Côte-de-Sable in Ottawa (613-789-1500), and several others.
Tax
In Quebec, gambling winnings are generally not taxable for casual gamblers. However, professional gamblers must report their gambling income as part of their taxable earnings. Additionally, if you earn interest from investing gambling winnings (such as depositing them in a savings account), this interest is subject to taxes. The income tax rate in Quebec starts at 14% for the first $49,275 of income and increases for higher income brackets. For non-professional gamblers, taxes are only applicable to the interest earned on winnings or other related investments.
Famous Players from Quebec
Despite the fact that legal online poker in Quebec is limited by a monopoly, the province can boast very well-known names in the world of poker.
Undoubtedly, the leader is Jonathan Duhamel, residing in Boucherville. Jonathan became famous in 2010 after his victory at the WSOP Main Event, where he won $8,944,310 in prize money – one of the largest prizes in poker history. In addition to this victory, Duhamel has won two more WSOP bracelets, including at the High Roller for One Drop tournament in 2015 ($3,989,985 in prize money) and at WSOP Europe in 2015. Throughout his career, Jonathan Duhamel has won $18,009,547, yet he continues to live in the small town of Boucherville, Quebec.
Isabelle Mercier from Victoriaville has also played a significant role in the poker industry. During her career, she has won $1,233,911. Isabelle graduated from Université de Montréal and practiced law in Montreal before moving to Paris, where she pursued a master’s degree. In Paris, the young Isabelle worked part-time at the renowned Aviation Club poker club, where she twice received the Staff Person of the Year award from the European Poker Awards. As early as 2002, Isabelle transitioned from a casino employee to a player. In 2002, she conquered the Masters Classic of Poker tournament in Amsterdam. From that moment on, Isabelle played in the biggest poker tournaments, was an ambassador for PokerStars, recorded a poker training course, and appeared in the film “That’s Poker.” Now, Isabelle resides in Monaco and is involved in developing the CoinPoker room.
The third well-known player on our list is Eliot Hudon from Montreal. Throughout his career, he has won $4,839,383 and ranks third in Quebec’s overall rankings. However, it is worth highlighting Eliot’s victory at the WPT World Championship tournament in December 2022. In this tournament, Eliot won $4,136,000 in prize money. Such a victory should be known to every poker enthusiast!
FAQ
Is online poker legal in Quebec?
Yes, online poker is legal in Quebec. The province has authorized a single legal platform, Espace Jeux (OKPoker), operated by Loto-Québec. While other international or offshore poker sites are technically illegal, the provincial regulator does not actively block access to them. However, playing on these unregulated sites carries certain risks.
What is the only legal online poker room in Quebec?
The sole legal online poker room in Quebec is Espace Jeux (OKPoker), which is operated by Loto-Québec. Launched in December 2010, Espace Jeux holds a monopoly over online poker activities within the province, offering a limited number of gaming tables and players compared to larger international platforms.
Can I use international or offshore poker sites from Quebec?
While international and offshore poker sites are not legally sanctioned in Quebec, residents can still access them. These sites operate under licenses from jurisdictions like Malta or the Isle of Man and are considered part of the gray market. However, playing on these platforms means you are participating in activities that are not regulated by Quebec authorities, which can lead to potential legal and security issues.
What are the risks of playing on offshore poker sites in Quebec?
Playing on offshore poker sites exposes Quebec players to several risks, including lack of legal protection, potential financial losses without recourse, and vulnerability to fraud or unfair practices. Since these sites are not regulated by Quebec authorities, your rights as a player are not safeguarded, and disputes may be difficult to resolve.
How does Quebec’s online poker market differ from Ontario’s?
Unlike Quebec, Ontario has a regulated online poker market that allows multiple licensed operators to compete. This competitive environment in Ontario leads to a wider selection of games, better services, and more generous bonuses. Quebec, on the other hand, maintains a monopoly through Espace Jeux, resulting in fewer gaming options and lower player traffic.
What is the Quebec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC)?
The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition (QOGC) is an industry-led group advocating for the establishment of a regulated online poker market in Quebec, similar to Ontario’s model. Formed in response to the limited offerings and low quality of the monopolistic Espace Jeux platform, QOGC seeks to introduce competition, enhance player safety, and increase tax revenues through regulated private operators.
Which major poker rooms accept players from Quebec?
Several major international poker rooms accept players from Quebec, including PokerStars, 888poker and GGPoker. These platforms operate under offshore licenses and offer various bonuses and promotions to attract Quebec players. However, since they are not regulated by Quebec authorities, players should exercise caution when using these services.
What are the prospects for online poker legalization in Quebec?
There is ongoing advocacy for the legalization and regulation of online poker in Quebec. The QOGC, supported by major sports leagues like the NBA, MLS, and CFL, has been pushing the provincial government to adopt a regulated market similar to Ontario’s. While meetings have taken place, as of now, no significant changes have been implemented. Continued efforts may lead to a more competitive and regulated online poker environment in the future.
What payment methods are available for online poker in Quebec?
Players in Quebec can use a variety of secure payment methods to deposit and withdraw funds on legal and offshore poker sites. Common options include credit and debit cards, e-wallets such as PayPal and Skrill, bank transfers, and prepaid cards. Additionally, Interac, a widely used debit card system in Canada, is also accepted by many platforms.
Are there responsible gambling resources available for online poker players in Quebec?
Yes, responsible gambling resources are available for players in Quebec. Although the province does not have a dedicated regulatory agency overseeing online gambling, Loto-Québec, the operator of Espace Jeux, provides responsible gambling tools and support. These include self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and access to counseling services. However, some stakeholders believe that an independent regulator would better handle responsible gambling measures, free from the commercial interests of Loto-Québec.