jili tutorial

Loto-Québec Revenue Rises as Election Puts iGaming Model in Focus

By jili tutorial · September 25, 2026

Loto-Québec Revenue Rises as Election Puts iGaming Model in Focus

Overview: A Crown Corporation at a Crossroads

Loto-Québec, the provincial Crown corporation responsible for gambling in Quebec, has reported a 2.1% year-over-year increase in total revenue for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026–27. The financial results arrive at a politically charged moment: Quebec is heading toward an election on October 5, 2026, and the outcome could fundamentally reshape the province’s gambling landscape. The corporation’s headquarters in Montreal (pictured above) serve as the operational hub for an organization that generated CA$782.6 million in revenue during the quarter ending June 29, 2026—up CA$16.1 million from the same period last year.

This guide breaks down the quarterly performance, examines the factors behind the numbers, and explores what the upcoming election means for Quebec’s iGaming model, drawing comparisons with Ontario’s competitive approach.

Financial Breakdown: How the Quarter Played Out

Total Revenue and Net Income

For the period from April 1 to June 29, 2026 (Q1 FY2026–27), Loto-Québec reported:

The growth was driven primarily by the casino sector, while other segments showed mixed results.

Casinos: The Strongest Performer

Casinos generated CA$337.6 million in total revenue, a 4.4% increase year-over-year. CEO Jean-François Bergeron attributed this performance to increased visitation, noting that the warmer weather coincided with Quebec’s peak festival season. “As the fiscal year begins, we are continuing to build on our momentum and once again seeing higher results, thanks to the hard work of all our teams, who are developing our offer responsibly,” he said. “That performance attests to the relevance of the offer. We will continue to strive to offer a responsible, engaging and diverse entertainment experience.”

Notably, online casino revenue is subsumed within the casino segment’s total figures, though Loto-Québec does not break out those numbers separately in this report.

Lotteries: Steady Growth

Lotteries contributed CA$241.1 million in total revenue, a 2.1% increase. This segment includes traditional lottery tickets and, importantly, online sports betting—which was affected by two major sporting events during the quarter:

Gaming Establishments: A Slight Decline

Gaming establishments—a category that includes video lottery terminals (VLTs) in bars and licensed venues, Kinzo (interactive touch-screen gaming), and network bingo—brought in CA$208.4 million, a 1.8% drop from the prior year. The decline may reflect broader shifts in consumer preference toward online or land-based casino experiences.

How Online Gambling Fits Into the Numbers

Loto-Québec’s online offerings are embedded within the two main segments:

This structure means the financial report does not provide a standalone figure for iGaming revenue, making it difficult to assess the digital channel’s independent growth trajectory.

The Election Factor: A Potential Shift in iGaming Policy

Current Polling Landscape

According to a Leger poll released on September 22, 2026, nearly two-thirds of Quebecers say they want a change in government. The current party standings among decided voters are:

PartySupport
Parti Québécois (PQ)29%
Liberal Party of Quebec (PLQ)23%
Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ, incumbent)20%

With the election scheduled for October 5, both the PQ and the Liberals have signaled a major departure from the CAQ’s current gambling policy.

What the CAQ Model Looks Like Now

Under the CAQ government, Loto-Québec operates as the sole legal online gambling provider in Quebec. This monopoly model means:

What a Competitive Model Would Mean

Both the PQ and the Liberal Party have committed to opening Quebec’s iGaming market to an Ontario-style competitive model. In this scenario:

Ontario’s example: Since launching a competitive iGaming market in April 2022, Ontario has seen dozens of licensed operators (e.g., Bet365, DraftKings, FanDuel) enter the market. The province now generates significant tax revenue and has established a regulatory framework overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario (iGO). However, concerns have been raised about problem gambling rates and the effectiveness of harm-reduction measures in a crowded market.

Implications for Loto-Québec

If Quebec follows Ontario’s path, Loto-Québec would face several challenges and opportunities:

What’s Next: Watching the Election Results

The next few weeks will be critical for Quebec’s gambling industry. If the PQ or Liberals form government, the province could move quickly to draft legislation that ends Loto-Québec’s online monopoly. Even the CAQ, if re-elected despite lagging polls, may need to respond to public pressure for modernisation.

For now, Loto-Québec’s CEO is focusing on the positive quarterly results and the corporation’s role as a responsible entertainment provider. But the broader question remains: can a Crown corporation that has enjoyed a protected market for decades adapt to the competitive pressures that an open iGaming model would bring?