The History of Gambling in Québec: From Lottery to Casino

Before 1969: Gambling Banned

For most of the 20th century, the Canadian Criminal Code prohibited almost every form of gambling, apart from horse racing and a few charity draws. Gambling existed all the same, in clandestine gaming rooms, the "barbotte" dens of the big cities and bets taken under the counter. Racetracks, like Blue Bonnets in Montréal, were among the few places where you could legally bet.

Montréal's "Voluntary Tax"

In 1968, Montréal mayor Jean Drapeau launched a lottery disguised as a "voluntary tax" to shore up the city's finances after Expo 67. Participants "donated" a few dollars and could win prizes. It was a huge success, but the courts ruled it illegal. Still, the episode showed the public's appetite, and the climate was changing.

1969: The Birth of Loto-Québec

In 1969, the federal government amended the Criminal Code to let the provinces run lotteries. That same year, Québec created the Crown corporation that would become Loto-Québec. The first draws followed quickly, and the lottery became a weekly ritual in the province's convenience stores. The model was clear from the start: legal gambling would be public, and its profits would go to the state.

The 1990s: Enter the Casinos

In the mid-1980s, another federal amendment gave the provinces full control over games of chance, including electronic machines. Québec took the plunge in the early 1990s:

• 1990: launch of the Mise-o-jeu sports lottery.
• 1993: opening of the Casino de Montréal in the former French pavilion from Expo 67, and creation of the Société des casinos du Québec.
• 1994: opening of the Casino de Charlevoix in La Malbaie, in the Manoir Richelieu's former theater.
• 1996: opening of the Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau.
• 2007: opening of gaming halls in Québec City and Trois-Rivières.
• 2009: opening of the Casino de Mont-Tremblant, at the foot of a major ski resort.

The Digital Shift

In 2010, Loto-Québec launched its online gaming platform, with poker, casino games and, starting in 2012, Mise-o-jeu sports betting. Since 2021, the federal legalization of single-game betting has expanded the offering further. Online gaming has become an important part of the Crown corporation's business, as it faces competition from foreign sites.

Charlevoix, a Special Case

Among Québec's casinos, Charlevoix's is the most unusual: small, set in a resort region rather than a big city, and tied to a historic hotel. It has helped make La Malbaie a four-season destination, where skiing at Le Massif and an evening at the casino form a natural pairing. To discover it, follow our ski and casino weekend or read our overview of the Loto-Québec casinos.