The Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act was nothing but a step in the right direction. Using this law, an amendment in the Criminal Code was made, which allowed for single-event sports betting to no longer be prohibited. The change took place immediately and most of the affected provinces took action instantly as well. British Columbia is a fine example of that, but this change was equally important for Quebec as well.
These all-important and long-awaited legislation transformations were the kind of thing the betting market in Quebec needed. Bill C-218, the act that made it all happen, was a pivotal aspect of the whole process.
Since August 2021, things have started to gain momentum, and the profits from the sports betting scene continue to rise. This is part of the desired effect. Before single-event wagers were made legal, local bettors were stuck with parlays only, and this is why these new regulations were immediately accepted as a true game changer.
Still, local regulators have yet to work closely with different operators and regulate them. Until this happens, the only regulated option for sports betting fans will remain the one they’re already familiar with – the Mise-o-jeu. This platform is directly regulated by Loto-Quebec. It’s available in both online and offline versions, meaning that people who prefer either online or physical bets will be able to wager on their favorite team the way they prefer.
Sports betting at a glance
Quebec is the second-largest province in Canada by population, which automatically means that it’s also the second most desired market by sports betting sites, or at least it should be one of them. With a population that exceeds 8,5 million people, the sky is the limit when it comes to betting services in Quebec. Of course, as poetic as this sounds, it’s all a matter of regulations and laws.
One of the best things about Quebec’s sports betting scene is the legal age required: you only need to be 18 if you want to wager on sports. You can also do it online because remote registration is possible, regardless of your exact location, but only if you’re within the province’s borders.
How we rate Quebec’s sportsbooks
It’s not easy to rate the best sports betting platforms out there. In Quebec, it’s easier than expected to do this if we take into account only the regulated betting platforms, as there’s a single one to review. If we must compare all available options, including offshore betting sites, then several important aspects immediately emerge. All of them should be considered when a rating is created for each of the sports betting sites present.
To rate Quebec’s sportsbooks the right way, we focus on the following aspects:
- Availability of bonuses and prizes: This is one of the easiest ways in which betting sites’ operators attract new users. The promos and welcome bonus offers need to be lucrative, but what’s more important is the consistency and variety they represent
- Secure payment gateways and a variety of transaction provider options: It’s always the best-case scenario to be able to choose between trusted payment providers
- Reliability of the platform and high data protection standards: A reliable sportsbook needs to introduce state-of-the-art data protection means to be ranked high in any comparison review
- Quality customer support: Being able to rely on responsive and friendly customer support associates is very important, and it could be difference between bad and good user experience
- Features and perks: Bettors usually enjoy having a wide selection of functionalities and options to choose from, especially when it comes to betting markets and bet types
Is sports betting legal in Quebec?
Yes, it is. Quebec is among the Canadian states that were subjects of the recent changes in legislation described above. These changes removed the ban on single-event sports betting for good. Today, everyone who meets the rest of the criteria is capable of placing sports bets legally in Quebec. In this province, the only regulated entity in the sector (because it’s a provincial structure) is Loto-Quebec. Bettors can use its services and physical access points to bet on sports.
Quebec sports betting updates
All the changes in the sports betting landscape in this province have been preceded by several pivotal moments that need to be followed in a timeline. The fact that they can now bet on sports legally is an achievement that didn’t happen overnight. This is why it’s important to know about the events that preceded the important date – August 27, 2021.
There’s still a lot of work to be done in this sector for it to expand and meet its true potential, but what’s more important is that the foundation for such growth has already been laid, and it’s a step that many awaited eagerly.
Let’s look at a few of the events in the past few years that resulted in allowing single-game sports betting in Quebec.
2021
- August 27: Loto-Quebec announced the launch of this type of activity and its legal status by introducing Mise-o-jeu in both its forms: online and retail
- August 12: Bill C-218 was confirmed to take an effect in a matter of weeks
- June 29: Bill C-218 was approved to give every province the power to shape their own single-game sports betting policies
- February 25: This is the date when Bill C-218 was introduced for the very first time
2020
- July 21: Mise-o-jeu allowed for live betting for the first time ever and introduced an innovative withdrawal option for mobile users
Montreal and legal sports betting
The history of Quebec and Montreal in the sports betting niche didn’t start with Bill C-218 and all the changes it resulted in. Mise-o-jeu has been giving local bettors the chance to wager for the past couple of decades thanks to the guidance of Loto-Quebec. Still. These new changes in legislation allowed for plenty of new opportunities, as it removed the ban on important activities. When this amendment happened, local users immediately got the chance to use the Mise-o-jeu platform and indulge in single-game sports betting for the first time.
Similar to British Columbia and Manitoba, there are no official statements regarding Loto-Quebec’s intentions to give legal status to privately owned sports betting platforms. The latter will keep their offshore status for now. They are the only current alternative to Mise-o-jeu.
Who can bet on sports in Quebec?
As the only regulated local betting platform, Loto Quebec’s Mise-o-jeu comes with a few restrictions and rules that everyone willing to use it must comply with. The first of them is related to the minimum required age by law. Just like Manitoba, Quebec’s requirement is the lowest possible in Canada – as mentioned earlier, the minimum legal age for sports betting is 18.
One of the best perks that all local bettors can benefit from is the mobile betting experience available. Users can check out the Mise-o-jeu mobile app, or opt for one of its offshore alternatives. Still, only the former is properly regulated by the province’s authorities.
The ease of being able to register a new betting account remotely is worth mentioning, but it comes with restrictions. To create a new account and use it for sports betting, one must be within Quebec’s borders. The geolocation software used by the platform to determine this is hard to beat. Having only Mise-o-jeu as a regulated option might come as a limitation to some, but the platform comes in handy when you want to bet on sports physically. The reason is simple: the betting service can be found in numerous convenience stores around the province.
Another important condition for all those eligible for sports betting in Quebec is the matter of taxation of their winnings. Users would be glad to know that all their proceeds from sports betting activities will not be taxed.
The pros and cons of Quebec sports betting
Just like with everything else, sports betting in Quebec doesn’t only come with positive sides. There are still things to be done, and other aspects must be perfected, but all this will happen in time as the sector evolves.
For now, the positive sides to single-event sports betting in this Canadian province are more than the downsides. For example, local bettors have a dedicated mobile app at their disposal, which is not a privilege for people in other provinces where this type of bets was allowed recently. On the minus side, Mise-o-jeu+ (the online sports betting solution in Quebec) doesn’t boast the most competitive odds.
Pros of sports betting in Quebec
- Single-event sports betting has been legal since mid-2021
- There’s a dedicated mobile app for all bettors to use
- All winnings from sports betting in Quebec are tax-free for now
Cons of sports betting in Quebec
- The available odds at the only regulated sports betting platform are not as competitive as they probably should be
- To use Mise-o-jeu+, one must be a resident of Quebec
How to start betting in Quebec?
There aren’t that many requirements for all those who wish to enjoy single-game sports betting in Quebec. As long as you meet them, you will be good to go. However, it’s important to know what to expect and do after you decide to try your chances. Although it’s a simple process, sports betting requires a few steps that you should not miss. Here’s what you need to do before you enjoy your winnings:
- Choose an appropriate sportsbook: This seems like an obvious choice for many, as they only consider the one platform that’s regulated by the province through Loto-Quebec. While this might be true, there are other options to consider, namely the several offshore sports betting platforms available. Some of them are to be avoided due to issues with security and lack of certifications, but there are internationally-present entities that deserve attention and are to be trusted
- Register a new account: You can’t wager on single-game sports without setting up an account first. It’s needed to keep track record of your activity and to protect your personal and banking details
- Claim your welcome bonus or other rewards that you might be eligible for: Most sports betting platforms offer tempting bonuses and prizes for all new players, and the time to grab them would be immediately after registration
- Deposit funds: Before being able to legally wager on sports, you need to fund your account. Make sure the deposit and withdrawal terms and conditions of the platform you joined are all in your favor
- Pick the sports betting type that suits you the most: Since we’re talking about single-event sports betting, you would have the chance to pick one of many bet types, such as moneylines, parlays, props, point spreads, totals, and so forth.
Once all the above is done and in case your bets were successful, the only thing left to be done would be to enjoy your winnings. Withdrawing funds shouldn’t take more than a couple of days.
What else can you bet on in Quebec?
There are alternative betting options to sports events that are just as exciting, if not more. Some of them are available in Quebec, and local bettors can take advantage of that. Considering the requirements and restrictions listed above, Quebecers have the chance to enjoy alternative forms of single-event betting. Here are some examples:
- Political events: It’s always exciting to guess the outcome of an event and its winner. This applies to several areas except in sports, and politics is one of these areas
- Awards: There are plenty of award ceremonies related to music, films, and all sorts of art, which means that there are winners and categories to guess the outcome of. The excitement such betting variations offer is no less than the one sports betting brings
- eSports: Even Mise-o-jeu offers several eSports betting options to choose from, and this is a category that will continue to grow in the years to come. Millions of people worldwide are interested in eSports, which explains why betting on eSports events raises plenty of interest
Legal sportsbooks in Quebec
There is just one sports betting platform regulated by the Quebec province: Mise-o-jeu. The rest of the available sports betting sites are offshore entities. This might change in the future, though.
Home team advantage: Quebec sports
Needless to say, the people in Quebec are dedicated fans of numerous sports, leagues, and local teams, so it’s no surprise that they would favor them if they bet on sports using Mise-o-jeu or one of its offshore rivals. Teams such as the Montreal Canadiens would always be preferred when it comes to sports betting locally. There are hundreds of thousands of hockey fans across the province, and many of them would enjoy placing a bet on their favorite team.
Responsible gaming in Quebec
There are plenty of reasons why everyone should raise awareness about responsible gaming. Despite the strict regulations and all the rules, terms, and conditions available in the sports betting sector, responsible gaming is still an issue. Its existence comes down to personal responsibility, but sportsbooks are often trying to help their clients prevent gambling addiction or help them cope with signs of it. This is an important matter, and the good news is that there are also independent organisations ready to assist everyone who feels like they might need help with their addiction to betting and gambling.
Responsible gaming is one of the reasons why having immaculate customer support when joining a sportsbook is very important. Being able to contact someone and ask for some type of help (and getting it on time) can be crucial.
Provincial betting guides
The recent changes in the single-game sports betting sector in Canada had a scope on seven Canadian provinces at once. These changes seem to have the same effect on all of them but it’s true that there are changes to be considered. Some of them are important. Therefore, refer to individual provincial betting guides if you want to know what the rules and regulations in other provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan are.
Sportsbooks to avoid in Quebec
There are usually enough trusted offshore sportsbooks to choose from when you feel like betting on sports. This is valid for all the provinces where single-game sports betting is permitted at the moment. Still, some of the possible choice are not worth your time, effort, and funds.
The reasons why a particular sports betting platform might not be a good fit for you are many, but they usually come down to not having proper licences and certifications and negative feedback. Checking user reviews before registering at a sportsbook is very important.
Part of the common reasons why you should avoid certain sportsbooks in Quebec include low-quality customer support, delays in withdrawals, payment processing issues, denied transactions, and even loss of funds.
