Quebec Sports Betting 2023

There are several factors that we consider when ranking bookmakers in Quebec. While people may have slightly different personal preferences, overall, there are certain characteristics that a good sportsbook must have.

The first thing we look at is the number of betting markets and the quality of the odds. A good sportsbook offers its users tons of options for betting markets and keeps the house edge as low as possible.

Next, we take a look at the user experience. This includes the design of the sportsbook, its mobile features, and the banking options. It should be easy to navigate any sportsbook, as well as move your money in and out.

Last but not least, we make sure that the bookmakers we recommend excel at customer support. This includes having lots of options in terms of contacting the sportsbook and having a strong guide with answers to common issues.

What is interesting about the history of betting in Quebec is that the province was the birthplace of Canadian lotteries. That said, single-game sports betting has not been legal for a long time, up until recently, that is. Residents have been allowed to bet on popular sports in Quebec but only in parlay form, a bet type that involves much higher risk than a single-game wager.

For most of the country’s history, all throughout Canada, single-game sports betting was strictly prohibited. Given the lower chances of winning a parlay versus a single game, Canadian bettors were not so keen on these restrictions. With no legal avenues, even through legitimate Quebec sportsbooks, there was hope for change. Let’s take a deeper look at how that came to be and what the Quebec sports betting landscape looks like currently.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Quebec?

Sports betting in Quebec is now 100% legal. This came to be when Quebec approved Bill C-218, coming to life on August 27, 2021. It was a huge boost for not only Quebec sportsbooks, but for sports betting efforts across the entire country. Sports betting has been popular for decades and allowing players the ability to make legal single-game wagers only opened up avenues and created new sportsbook options.

The legal process is a long and tenuous one and that is no more evident than the bill that led to the approval of single-game betting. It had been a topic of conversation for many years, but Bill C-218 finally started to gain traction when it was reinstated from a previous session back on September 23, 2020. There it sat for more than six months until the first reading was completed by the Senate on April 30, 2021.

From there, it went through a lengthy approval process. There were second readings completed by both the House of Commons and Senate, consideration in committee from both, a report stage by the HOC, and third readings by both. After the third reading by the Senate on June 22,2021, the Bill was ready to go.

The pivotal point came on June 29, 2021. Chief Justice of Canada Richard Wagner provided royal assent for the bill, essentially passing it into law. Provinces that have approved single-game sports betting are solely and completely responsible for their betting regulations. August 27, 2021, would be the official launch date for the province, setting the tone for the future.

The landscape of sports betting in Quebec continues to shift. There are more and more sportsbooks coming into the fold all the time. That said, as of now, the best option for retailers throughout Montreal is Loto-Quebec’s Mise-o-jeu. That said, more sportsbooks operating outside of Quebec are beginning to make their presence known. Whether it be offering popular sports in Quebec, across Canada, or throughout the world, there is no shortage of other sportsbooks to choose from.

Names like Bet99, Sports Interaction, 888sport, Bet365, and more are a great option for Quebec residents. These are gray-market sportsbooks that do not explicitly have a license to operate in Quebec, but also are not prohibited. There are other sportsbooks more popular in the United States that will surely attempt to enter the fray in the coming years as well. That means a plethora of different options for those interested in betting in Quebec.

The government controlled Loto-Quebec was the first to launch single-game betting options both in-person and online (at Mise-o-jeu+, Virtual Sports, Predictions, and Mise-o-jeu). This happened the day that single-game sports betting in Quebec became legal in the province. Given that Quebec was the first to introduce lotteries to Canada, it only stands to reason that the province will be among the leaders in online sportsbooks as well.

Sports Betting in the Future

Since August, there has been one other official launch for Quebec. The Salon de Jeux de Quebec opened up a location on November 29, 2021, at the Mega Centre Beauport. Now that we know how single-game sports betting came to be, it is time to take a deeper look at the other details involved.

The future development of online sportsbooks in Quebec will likely be fast and furious. There are a ton of bettors within the province and that means a ton of opportunities for online sportsbooks. There are currently many different sportsbooks that have become major players in the province with others in line to join the fray going forward.

There are certain restrictions and requirements that must be met when it comes to betting in Quebec. For starters, any player must be at least 19 years of age or older. Moreover, players must be physically located within the province when placing their bets online.

As of now, there are only a few Quebec sportsbooks that are available on a mobile platform. Sports Interaction and Mis-o-jeu+ are currently two example options, though there are others available to users in Quebec. Players using a mobile app do not need to be within province lines in order to use the app but will need to do so in order to place an official wager.

There is another bit of good news when it comes to betting in the province. Canadians, not just those from Quebec, are not required to pay tax on gambling winnings. That means that bettors in Quebec can maximize their winnings without ever having to consider taxation. That is a huge win now that single-game betting has been legalized within the province.

Offshore Sportsbooks in Quebec

There are a variety of offshore sportsbooks to choose from for those not interested in the current government-run offering in Quebec. Another bit of good news for bettors in Quebec is that there is no current Canadian regulation or law about betting offshore. That applies not only to Quebec but to the rest of the country. There are a plethora of quality, reliable offshore sportsbooks to choose from for all of your betting needs.

Now that we know that sports betting in Quebec is legal and very possible, it is time to get started. The good news is that it is easier than ever to begin betting on all of your favourite sports, both in the province and across Canada. To start your sports betting journey, let’s take a deeper look at what you need to consider.

• Pick your sportsbook: Before you can do much of anything, you need to choose from the litany of Quebec sportsbooks available. The choice comes down to one of the licensed, legalized options or an offshore betting site. Each of these options has distinct pros and cons, so the features available become important.
  
  Any sportsbook that you choose should have a couple of things. For starters, they should have all the top sports available both in the area and around the globe. The more options you have, the more chances there are to place wagers. Secondly, they should have easy payment methods so that you can make deposits or get your money out of the sportsbook in short order.
  
  Some good options include offshore sportsbooks like Sports Interaction, Bet99, and Betway. All of those sportsbooks have a great reputation as industry leaders. 

• Register for a new account: Once you have picked a sportsbook, it is time to sign up for an account. Enter all the necessary information – name, phone number, email address, etc. – and make sure to check out any terms and conditions.
  
  Keep in mind that you must be at least 19 years old to play in Quebec no matter what sportsbook you choose. After you have finished inputting all your information, complete the registration process. 

• Make a deposit/banking options: This is one of the most crucial features of choosing a proper sportsbook. There should be convenient options available for both deposit and withdrawal, allowing you to focus on the action rather than when money will move in or out of your account. Most sportsbooks will have a minimum deposit requirement of $10 though that can change depending on who you choose. Most of the sportsbooks you find will offer credit/debit cards, online banking, and even PayPal as banking options.
  
  After you’ve made your account, choose a payment method that works for you and deposit your money. 

• Claiming a bonus: One of the best things that new players can do is find a great welcome bonus. All of the sportsbooks will have a bonus offer of some kind, whether it is in the form of bonus wagers, risk-free bets, or various other rewards. Take your time and compare the various bonus offers available. It can be a great way to ensure that you bolster your bankroll with minimal investment on your part or give your first bet more chances to win. The bonus is a crucial part of getting started on making your bets.

Sports of all types are immensely popular throughout the province. All sportsbooks will have a huge offering that’s not just limited to local Quebec sports, either. When choosing a sportsbook, there are a variety of popular sports to keep in mind.

• 🏒 Ice Hockey: You can’t talk about sports in Canada without mentioning the nation’s favourite sport. The game itself was created on outdoor rinks in Canada with the formation of the National Hockey League coming to fruition within the country’s borders as well. Though there are now far more American franchises, hockey continues to be the preferred sport in Canada, especially during international competitions. You can’t have a Canadian sportsbook without hockey.

• 🏀 Basketball: Basketball has become more than just an American sport in recent decades. The game has grown to global proportions and there is a highly successful team located right in the heart of Canada – the Toronto Raptors. The National Basketball Association is the biggest league in the world and a favourite of Canadian bettors.
  
  The Raptors, in particular, have become the face of basketball in Canada. They have a relatively short history but their 2019 run to the NBA title made them a national favourite. Given their popularity and the prominence of the NBA in general, it only stands to reason that basketball remains at the top of the list of sports betting options.

• 🏈 Football: Though we typically associate football with the United States and the National Football League, there is another option that Canadians love to wager on: the Canadian Football League. Though the concept is largely the same, there are unique rules that set the CFL apart from its brethren south of the border.
  
  The competition for the Grey Cup is one of the fiercest in Canadian sports. Depending on where you look, some CFL teams are even more popular than the globally popular NFL. Following the CFL action is a favourite option for not just Quebec, but all throughout Canada.

Any sportsbook that you choose will have a plethora of options available to wager on your favourite sports. These are known as betting markets and knowing how each of them works is crucial. Here are some of the most popular betting markets available in Quebec and beyond.

• Money Line: The money line is the most common bet, whether you are talking about betting in Quebec or otherwise. It is also the easiest bet type to understand regardless of a player’s experience level or familiarity with sportsbooks. With the money line betting market, you are choosing who is going to win the contest. There are no stipulations or considerations to make other than who will win.
  
  Odds for these contests generally use a minus (-100, for example) to denote a favourite while a plus (+160) shows the underdog in the contest. If the team you choose wins, your bet wins and it is as simple as that.

• Point Spread: Because the odds on money line bets may not be quite worth the risk – after all, some games feature clear favourites who are unlikely to lose – there are ways to bring the odds more in the favour of the player. One is the point spread, in which the sportsbook sets a point margin by which the favourite will win.
  
  So, for example, in an NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, the Bills at -5.5 would need to win by at least six points in order to cover the spread. Winning the game by less than six, or losing the game outright, would be a losing bet on the Bills. Someimtes point spreads are set in decimals to limit the chance of a push, where your bet would be returned to you for winning by an exact amount.

• Game Totals: Another one of the betting markets gaining popularity is the point totals market for any game. This is also occasionally referred to as the over/under. For this betting market, a point total for both teams is set before the game. In the aforementioned Bengals/Bills game, let’s say that the over/under was set at 48.5. Bettors who take the under would want the game to end with less than 48 total points while those taking the over would hope for more points. It is a simple bet type to make, akin to the money line.

• Player Props: Perhaps the most trendy sports betting options at the moment are player props. If you aren’t sure about the outcome of a game or want to tail one particular player, there are available wagers on individual statistics and events. Let’s say that you are watching the Montreal Canadiens. You would be able to bet on a player like Nick Suzuki to hit a certain amount of shots, goals, or points. Additionally, bettors can place wagers on things like first goalscorer, next goalscorer, and more.

Other Bets

The cool thing about sports betting in Quebec is that wagers are not just limited to traditional sports. As a matter of fact, there are options available for local politics, e-sports, and even entertainment and awards shows. There are typically odds attached to specific events related to each of these options, providing even more unique options for players to wager and potentially win.

E-sports, in particular, are gaining in popularity. These are leagues and championships based around professional video game players who are competing against one another. E-sports markets are becoming more readily available and more bettors are getting in on the action.

As one of the largest and most sports-rich provinces in Canada, there is no shortage of popular teams to choose from. Let’s take a closer look at the most popular teams dominating the conversation in the French-speaking province.

Montreal Canadiens

You cannot talk about sports in Quebec without mentioning the Canadiens. One of the most fabled franchises not only in the NHL, but North American sports in general. They are second only to the New York Yankees in North American sports championships, having won a record 24 Stanley Cup championships. The bleu, blanc, et rouge are a staple of Quebecoise life.

Montreal Alouettes

The CFL is popular all throughout Canada with one of the most ravenous fanbases residing in Montreal. There has been an interesting history for the Alouettes, one that dates back to the 1940s. With multiple collapses between, the team came back for good in 1996 and delivered the city their last Grey Cup championship during the 2010 season.

QMJHL

Given the popularity of hockey, it only stands to reason that Quebec has its own major junior hockey league. One-third of the Canadian Hockey League, “the Q” has been home to some of the most famous hockey players of all-time. Names like Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, Patrick Roy, and Martin Brodeur have developed their game in Quebec before going on to Hall of Fame careers in the NHL.

Betting on sports through online sportsbooks is not the only form of gambling to choose from in Quebec. There are other forms of in-person and online gambling available to players in Quebec like the following.

Retail & Online Casinos

The classic form of gambling, casinos are still a core part of gambling no matter where you are in the world. Bettors in Quebec can find a list of in-person and online casinos to partake in, with all of their favourite games available. That includes games like slots, blackjack, three-card poker, roulette, and hundreds of others. The Montreal Casino that’s located in the city is one of the largest across Canada. 

Online Poker

Another favourite online game is poker. Where you find online casinos, you will likely find online poker. In-person casinos will offer classics like blackjack and Texas Hold ‘Em, among others. Offshore sportsbooks like Betway, Bet99, or Sports Interaction also offer online poker in a convenient way, both through their website and mobile apps that allow players to get in on the best poker action whenever they choose.

Daily Fantasy Sports

There are even multiple ways in which to bet on your favourite sports. Daily fantasy sports have risen in prominence, allowing players to set their lineup with each game and event to win big cash contests and other prizes. There is also a multitude of freeroll games to choose from where players can enter for free and have a chance to win big for no financial commitment.

At the end of the day, it is important that players make their bets responsibly. This includes a bit of personal commitment – setting betting limits, knowing when to step back – but it also helps to know what tools are available. Quebec has a few tools available to help players keep their gambling in check.

For starters, Loto-Quebec offers a variety of tools to help players adopt low-risk gambling habits. Players can set their gaming time limitor loss limit on the government-run sportsbook, and even take a quiz to find out what loss limits can do to help improve their overall play experience.

Aide Jeu offers a 24/7 helpline that can aid those who have excessive gambling concerns. They offer many of the same tools as Loto-Quebec, things like setting limits and creating better habits as well as learning when to walk away.

Finally, the largest program available is the Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program. This is a national tool that can not only help players control their gambling habits but actually blocks online and retail availability. Not every player can adhere to their own limits so having a tool to keep habits in check can be invaluable.

Sportsbooks to Avoid

For the most part, Quebec sports betting is safe given the availability of legalized and offshore sportsbooks. That said, not every option you find will be totally safe to use. For starters, any sportsbook that has no licensing – either in Quebec or elsewhere – should likely be avoided completely.

Odds are another thing worth considering. If you notice that a sportsbook has substantially better odds than the rest, it is a red flag, especially if the sportsbook has a small reputation. Remember the old adage: “if it is too good to be true, it likely is.” Stay away from strange-looking odds.

Bettors in Quebec will find that there is no shortage of  sportsbooks to choose from. That includes both licensed and unlicensed sportsbook options. Though there is only one fully legal sportsbook to choose from in Quebec, there are many others that have licenses from outside the province like Betway, Bet365, Sports Interaction, and the like, which are some of the best and safest options available.

Though these sportsbooks are technically not licensed in Quebec, there are no regulations stating that they cannot be licensed elsewhere (as any reputable offshore sportsbooks).

Why Should I Use a Licensed Site?

There are pros and cons involved in using any sportsbook, be it licensed or unlicensed. Those seeking the biggest bonuses will likely do better with a gray market sportsbook, though there may be tradeoffs when it comes to personal security. Above all else, a licensed sportsbook provides a safe place to wager and even offers guides and programs that promote responsible gambling. Do your homework before choosing a sportsbook.

About Mise-O-Jeu+

Mise-O-Jeu+, operated by Loto-Quebec, is the biggest name in Quebec sports betting. Players looking to place bets safely need look no further than the Mise-O-Jeu+ sportsbook. It is government-run, offering some of the best odds, and acts as the online option for the Mise-O-Jeu retail location. There are some limitations for support and bonuses, but Mise-O-Jeu+ offers more than 20 different sites, a simple-to-use interface, and mobile app options for users of Android and iPhone. This is the only fully legal sportsbook that is licensed by Quebec.