Quebec Sports Betting: Top QC Sportsbooks & Legal Updates (2024)

Quebec is the second-most populated province in Canada, a mecca of culture, and an economic hub. Quebec residents are also crazy about their sports. With teams like the Montreal Canadiens, Quebec is known as a province with ravenous fans and a hyper-engaged sports media.

Naturally, this has made it a hotbed for sports betting. Quebec residents love placing bets on teams within the province and around the world, and sports betting has grown steadily in popularity in recent years.

In this guide to Quebec sports betting, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the industry in Quebec. From the legality to the top Quebec sportsbooks, we’ll cover it all. Ready? Let’s get into it.

Quebec is one of Canada’s biggest provinces, and many of the residents here are passionate about sports and gambling. That is why there is such an abundance of betting sites in Quebec. To help you filter through all the noise, we’ve compiled a quick look at the best Quebec betting sites in different categories.

Now that we’ve given you some insight into the top Quebec betting sites, it is time to get into a little more detail. Below, we’ll dive into what makes each of these operators distinct, so you have a clear sense of the premier betting sites in Quebec. 

One of the biggest things that users seek out when wagering in Quebec is a great bonus. A top-notch bonus will provide plenty of excitement for gamblers, and enable them to start betting with a little extra cash in their pocket. If you are seeking some of the best bonuses in the province, we are here to help with a look at the top offers.

Before we dive into the logistics of betting in Quebec, we need to explore a little bit about what defines our bookmaker list.

When analyzing the best Quebec sports betting sites, there are several aspects that we look at. Let’s look at the most important considerations when judging Quebec sportsbooks.

• User Experience: How does the sportsbook look and function? Is it boring and drab, or bright and engaging?
• Security and Licensing: It is important the sportsbook is safe and legal. We check their cybersecurity features and where the operator has been licensed.
• Reputation: What do users say about the sportsbook? Does the operator have good reviews or a long list of unhappy customers?
• Sports Coverage: What sports can I find available on the website? Do they have interesting markets and cover all the Quebec sports that residents would hope for?
• Features: Features are the ingrained aspects of an operator. Do they have fun features and a diverse selection?
• Bonus Offers: Does the sportsbook have a large collection of fun betting offers that provide value to bettors?
• Banking: Is the banking process easy? Does the sportsbook have an array of deposit and withdrawal methods for bettors?

The world of sports betting is a complicated one, and there are many that might have questions about the situation in Quebec. There are a lot of legal matters that dictate betting in Canada, and each province has its own situation and rules. Quebec is no different.

Sports betting in Quebec has seen rapid growth over the past few years, and the legal situation in Canada has shifted as new laws have been passed. This might amount to confusion for Quebec residents, but we’re here to help. Below, we’re going to dive into important information about betting in Quebec. We’ll look at whether it is legal to wager on virtual sportsbooks in the province, who can place bets in Quebec, and whether offshore sportsbooks are a viable option.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Quebec?

The answer to this question can’t be answered in a simple yes or no sentence, but we’ll try: yes! You can legally sports bet in Quebec. However, to say the situation is a little more complicated than that might be an understatement. The sports betting industry in Canada is very complicated, and changes happen very quickly.

To understand whether Quebec sports betting is legal, let’s take it back a bit. A few years ago, the legality of sports betting across Canada was different. Single-game betting, which is where bettors place bets on a single sporting event or single outcome, was not government regulated.

Instead, the legal sports betting industry was limited to parlay betting sites run by provinces' lottery corporations, which are government owned. Bettors could only place parlay bets on websites like Mise-O-Jeu, a Quebec website run by Loto Quebec. The odds were less favorable than typical sportsbooks, and bettors could only make parlays. Parlays are when multiple bets are joined into a single bet, with each outcome within the bet needing to hit for the bet to cash. These are fun ways to bet but are generally less likely to hit than single bets.

Sports bettors could use websites from offshore operators or operators set on Canadian tribal land without any fear of repercussions, although it was a legal gray area. The biggest tribal sports betting company is the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which operates in Quebec on tribal Mohawk territory.

However, everything changed in 2021 when Bill C-218 was passed. Bill C-218 was an act to amend the Canadian criminal code, removing the prohibition on betting on single-game outcomes. Instead of a federally illegal institution, once this bill was passed in August 2021, the control over sports betting was immediately passed to provincial governments.

The response was swift, as many of the governments implemented single-game sports betting on their lottery-controlled platforms, like Mise-O-Jeu in Quebec. Mise-O-Jeu takes single-game bets for bettors now, and bettors can find spreads, Moneyline bets, and more on the sportsbook. However, this is not the endgame that most have in mind for sports betting, as a government monopoly means less competitive odds and options for bettors.

The endgame that people have in mind for many Canadian provinces looks a lot like what is happening in Ontario right now. When sports betting was legalized, Ontario built the framework to tap into the industry’s potential by creating a provincial regulatory body called iGaming Ontario. This regulatory body can license sportsbooks, giving them the ability to operate and advertise within Ontario.

Since then, they have licensed massive global operators like 888Sport, Bet365, Betway, and more. Now, Ontario residents can use these operators with the express permission of their government and receive special offers. This has led to sportsbooks that didn’t operate in Ontario, like BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings, entering the Ontario market, which has made sports betting a much bigger industry in Ontario.

The benefits of this are substantial for all parties. The government gets to tax the revenue of an industry they weren’t benefitting from, with money taxed from operators going toward public initiatives like gambling addiction and more. Sportsbooks can now advertise in Ontario and have seen their industry explode, and they can operate in Canada’s biggest market with government approval. And for bettors, there are more options, and those options are overseen by the government for improved safety.

This might still be far away from happening in Quebec. So far, Ontario is the only province to fully lean into the sports betting industry. But Quebec is a pivotal part of the Canadian economy, and they’ve been trailblazers in the sports betting world for a while. Quebec was the first place to popularize the parlay betting system of government-controlled betting that became popular before Bill C-218.

Ontario has fully opened up their province to sports betting, inviting operators like BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings into the province. They’ve opened their own regulator, and the money has flowed in. This is something many see on the horizon for Quebec, but as of right now, this has yet to come to pass. But still, the industry is changing fast, and many expect Quebec to remain on the cutting edge.

As we said, the answer to the question of sports betting’s legality in Quebec is difficult. But generally speaking, bettors are able to place bets in Quebec legally. Whether they are using Mise-O-Jeu, which is the only government-controlled sportsbook in the province, or a tribal/offshore operator, bettors can legally wager in the province without any fear of repercussions.

Who can Bet on Sports in Quebec?

Just because single-game betting has been legalized in Quebec doesn’t mean any person that enters the province is going to be able to wager on sports. There are still rules that govern who can place bets within Quebec because it obviously isn’t a good idea to make the industry overly accessible to those who shouldn’t legally be making bets.

The regulations over who can use Quebec sportsbooks differ from other provinces, as each province now has its own rules for sports betting. Let’s look at some of the different rules that dictate who can participate in Quebec sports betting.

• Age: In Quebec, unlike most other provinces, you can actually start your sports betting journey at the age of 18. The typical age of majority in provinces is 19, but in Quebec, people can get started one year earlier.
• Location: If you want to use Mise-O-Jeu, you can’t just sign up from anywhere. You need to be located within Quebec and have a fixed address within Quebec.
• Verification: Naturally, sports betting sites like Mise-O-Jeu are not just going to take your word for it. If you want to use these operators, you’ll need to verify your identity and address. You will have to submit government documents like a driver's license or passport that verify your identity and date of birth, and you might even have to provide proof of residency at your Quebec address.

What About Offshore Sportsbooks in Quebec?

One of the things you’ll hear a lot of Canadian sports bettors mention is the gray market. It is called the gray market because it is a legal gray area, but bettors can use it without any fear of negative repercussions as long as they are safe and cautious.

So what is the gray market? As we’d previously mentioned, the gray market is the name that has been given to offshore sports betting sites or betting sites run from tribal territory. Many of the top Quebec sportsbooks are gray market operators.

These are sportsbooks that are not licensed by the Canadian government but by other foreign regulatory bodies like, for example, the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. Or they are regulated by tribal authorities like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

It is fully legal to use these operators in Quebec and other provinces. There has not been a person tried or convicted for using these sportsbooks in the history of Canada. They just aren’t expressly approved by the Canadian government, and there isn’t the same degree of safety.

There has been a lot going on in the world of Quebec sports betting, and keeping track can be a major hassle. If you are looking to stay informed, we are here to help. Below is a quick look at some of the key relevant sports betting updates you should stay aware of in the province.

• October 2024: Canadian Senate considering regulatory changes to restrict the advertising of sports betting in the country.
• April 2024: The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition calls for a change to sports betting in the province, with a new model implemented similar to the one in Ontario.
• May 2023: The Quebec Online Gaming Coalition is formed. Their goal is to spearhead changes in the gaming industry in the province, particularly by opening the industry up.
• August 2021: The province’s sportsbook, Mise-o-Jeu launches their single-game sports betting on the platform.
• April 2021: Bill C-218 is passed in Canada, removing the federal restriction on sports betting. 

We’ve given you the lowdown on the legality of Quebec sports betting and explored some of the top Quebec sportsbooks that are available to bettors. But there is a lot more to the world of sports betting than this. Sports betting can be complicated, even if you are relatively experienced, but we are here to clear up some of the different confusing aspects of sports betting bettors might struggle with.

In this section, we’re going to explore everything you need to know about getting started with betting in Quebec. We’ll break down how to create an account, banking, popular sports in Quebec to bet on, and more. Let’s get started with a breakdown of how to open an account.

• Step One: Research. This is an important step when deciding what bookmaker to use. Research the different options, and read reviews from users and gambling experts (like us). This will give you a sense of what sportsbook is best for you.
• Step Two: Visit the Sportsbook. Scroll around the website, and decide if you like the look of it. Once you’ve done this, click the register/sign-up tab.
• Step Three: Input Information. Input the required information to create an account on the betting site. This will include your address, contact details, and more. Don’t worry; if you are using a licensed operator, your info is safe.
• Step Four: Select a Bonus: This is an important phase of the process. If you want to start wagering with some extra money in your pocket, you’ll want to select the welcome bonus while you are registering for an operator. 
• Step Five: Deposit. In order to start betting, you’ll need money in your account. This requires bettors to go through the banking process. To do this, you’ll have to select a payment method, input your payment details, and select how much you want to put into your account.
• Step Six: Begin Betting. Once you’ve created an account, deposited, and chosen a bonus, you are good to go. 

Banking

Before you can start wagering, you’re going to need to fill out your account, and once you’ve finished wagering, you’ll want to empty your account. The process of depositing and withdrawing with a bookmaker is known as banking. Many Quebec and Canadian bettors get the jitters when it comes to banking, but the reality is, with the right bookmaker, it should be a smooth, safe, and secure process.

Every bookmaker will accept different transaction methods. Whether they are in Ontario, British Columbia, or Quebec, sportsbooks tend to accept several kinds of transaction methods to give bettors some diversity of choice with their deposits or withdrawals.

Each transaction method will have different speeds, minimum and maximum deposit amounts, and associated benefits or drawbacks. Let’s look at some of the most common transaction options you are likely to see across the Quebec sports betting market.

• Credit/Debit: This is the most common transaction option for bettors in Quebec. Bettors simply input their card details, and the money they deposit arrives in their account within minutes. Credit/debit cards tend to have low minimum and high maximum deposit amounts but take longer because they involve third parties.
• Interac: Interac is an option Canadians love to use, and it is definitely a hit with Quebec sports bettors. Bettors simply Interac e-transfer the sportsbook, and the money reaches their account. Minimum/maximums and transaction speed for this option tend to be similar to credit/debit transactions.
• E-Wallet: E-Wallets are virtual wallets that store people’s money and sportsbooks accept transactions from many different kinds of these e-wallets. Transactions tend to be fast with this option because there are no third parties, but some sportsbooks won’t let bettors use these transaction methods for bonuses.
• Cryptocurrency: Cryptocurrency is a virtual form of currency powered by revolutionary blockchain technology. Some sportsbooks in Quebec accept this transaction option, and crypto transactions tend to be incredibly fast.

Your banking transaction preference will depend on your own unique needs. Be warned; it is often significantly faster to deposit than to withdraw. Withdrawing can often require identity verification, and that takes sportsbooks several days to sort through.

Mise-O-Jeu is a sportsbook that has limited deposit options. While it is provincially-ran, which benefits bettors, their deposit options won’t match many competitors. Their primary options are debit/credit, Interac, and online bill payment.

Popular Sports to bet on in Quebec

As we’ve mentioned, Quebec sports fans are intense. They love their sports, and they are incredibly passionate, which contributes to this province being one of the best places to live for sports fans and bettors. If you want to place bets on Quebec sports, you’ll have many options.

Typically, sportsbooks will cover dozens of different sports, with multiple leagues within each sport available. You can find all the popular sports in Quebec available on a typical betting website. Let’s look at the different sports that are popular with Quebec residents that you will find in typical Quebec sportsbooks.

• Hockey: When you talk about sports in Quebec, everything starts and ends with hockey. Quebec residents love their hockey, with the Montreal Canadiens an iconic NHL franchise that is worshipped by residents across the province. Hockey bettors are abundant across Quebec, typically on the NHL and QMJHL.
• Baseball: While the Montreal Expos packed their bags and moved on long ago, Quebec residents remain big fans of baseball. This iconic sport has been played across North America for well over a century, and Quebec residents love to wager on the game.
• Basketball: Basketball has increased in popularity in Quebec, particularly following the Toronto Raptors' run to the NBA Championship. Now, there is an intense fan base in Quebec for the game, and many residents love wagering on the NBA.
• Football: Football is incredibly popular across Canada, and Quebec is no different. Many support the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL, although the NFL is also a hugely popular sport for betting in Quebec.
• Soccer: Soccer is the world’s most popular game, and Quebec certainly rallies around the sport. CF Montreal is a popular Montreal-based MLS franchise that has many supporters, although most residents base their primary attention on the top European leagues.
• Combat Sports: Combat sports have been incredibly successful in recent years, with the UFC becoming a mainstream sport across Quebec and Canada. Georges St. Pierre helped popularize MMA in Quebec, and many residents also love betting on boxing matches.

Most popular markets

We’ve given you a sense of the sports you can expect to find in Quebec sportsbooks. There are many Quebec sports bettors love, but what about the different betting markets and types of bets that are available to bettors?

Markets are the individual outcomes that bettors are wagering on to either happen or not happen. The different markets are things within a game or league that range from simple to complex. Types of bets are unique ways of betting that are popular amongst bettors. Every sportsbook has different markets and types of bets available for bettors.

Let’s look at some of the most popular markets and types of bets in Quebec sports betting.

💰 Moneyline: A Moneyline bet is a wager that is placed directly on the outcome of an event. This means if you bet a team on the Moneyline, you’ve picked them to win the game.

💰 Point Spread: The Point Spread is a line that represents the projected differential in favor of a team. Bettors can pick to bet for the spread, meaning the favored team exceeds the potential differential, or against it, meaning they don’t.

💰 Totals: Totals are a type of betting based on a line that represents the total combined amount of points/goals/runs between two teams in a game. Bettors can pick to bet the over, meaning the teams combine to exceed the line, or the under, meaning they don’t.

💰 Futures: Futures are bets on long-term outcomes that aren’t determined straight away within a league. It can be something like a bet on who will win the Stanley Cup, which player will be the NFL MVP, and so on.

💰 Double Chance: Double Chance is similar to Moneyline, but with a difference. It is a form of betting where bettors can pick two of the three possible outcomes in a game. Those three outcomes are Team A wins, Team B wins, or a tie.

💰 Game and Player Props: Game and Player Props are outcomes within a game that don’t necessarily dictate the final score. Game props are for teams, and player props are for individuals. For example, a game prop would be which team will be leading after the first quarter, while a player prop could be which player will score the first touchdown.

💰 Parlays: Parlays are when bettors tie multiple bets into a single bet. The odds multiply according to how many bets are within the parlay, and each outcome needs to hit for the parlay to cash.

💰 Live Betting: Live betting is wagering on games that have already begun. The odds shift according to what is happening in the game.

Other bets

Sports betting is the primary option in most Quebec sportsbooks. But that doesn’t mean it is the only thing for Quebec gamblers to enjoy. There are other betting options on Quebec operators that bettors interested in branching out can pursue. Let’s look at three additional options for bettors.

• Esports: There is some argument as to whether or not Esports count as sports, but most sportsbooks offer odds on this rising form of entertainment. Esports are video game tournaments that are played by professional gamers.
• Cinema: Award shows are massive spectacles that draw millions of eyes from around the world, and on many betting sites, you can wager on these milestone cinematic events.
• Politics: Betting on politics won’t be for everyone, but if you are someone that loves paying attention to politics, then wagering on upcoming elections from around the world might be for you.

While Quebec sports fans love a huge variety of teams, there are certain teams that are most popular within the province. Let’s look at some of the most popular teams in Quebec.

Montreal Canadiens: No team in the province can match the massive popularity of the Montreal Canadiens. The NHL’s all-time leader in Stanley Cups has a huge fan base across the province.

CF Montreal: CF Montreal has undergone several rebrands since its days as the Montreal Impact. They are a highly popular MLS franchise beloved by Quebec residents.

Montreal Alouettes: The CFL is very popular in Quebec, and the Alouettes are a big reason why. This franchise has been competing since the 1940s, and while they haven’t claimed the Grey Cup in some time, Montreal fans still offer strong support.

Toronto Raptors: Canada’s only NBA basketball team has a huge fan base in Quebec. After their stunning NBA Championship in 2019, the Raptors have continued to get huge support from Quebec fans.

Toronto Blue Jays: While the Expos leaving still hurts, most fans have pivoted their baseball attention to the Blue Jays. There are many Quebec residents that support Canada’s only remaining MLB team.

Gamblers don’t limit their betting attention to just sports. In fact, online sports betting is not even the most popular form of online betting. The most popular option for bettors seeking to wager online is virtual casino betting.

Virtual casinos are websites that offer digital versions of casino games. They use computer-generated games that offer bettors the same or similar odds that they would find in a real casino and allow bettors to place bets online. Most betting sites in Quebec also offer virtual casinos.

Some of the options you can find in a virtual casino include the common games played in casinos from Vegas to Macau. These include poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and slot machines. Slot machines tend to be the most common option you’ll find in virtual casinos.

While many of these casinos use computer-generated programming, there are also live casinos bettors can find online. With live casinos, bettors can wager with a live dealer, betting against other virtual casino bettors. Often, these live casinos will allow bettors to turn their cameras and mics on, so they can see and converse with other bettors.

Both live casinos and computer-generated ones offer bettors the chance to bet with real money on virtual games and bring the casino experience home with them.

For bettors, using the many great betting sites in Quebec is one thing, and the mobile gaming experience is something else entirely. Mobile gaming is hugely important to many bettors, and the best way to start wagering through your smartphone is on mobile apps. There are several great mobile apps that users can enjoy across the province. These betting apps can be downloaded directly to your phone, and will provide a thrilling user experience and the great features you know from their original website. Let’s look at some of the top betting apps for Quebec users. 

Gambling online is a blast. But it is not the only way to wager in Quebec. Many bettors prefer to actually visit a casino to get their adrenaline rush. There are numerous casinos across the province. While casinos are not as abundant in Quebec as they are in other parts of the country, there are still several high-quality options for gamblers who want a more immersive, in-person experience. Below, we’ll show the casinos that are available to be visited in the province. 

We’ve told you much to know about Quebec sports betting, from the top sportsbooks to the legality of the industry. You’re probably ready to begin, but before you do, it is important you make wise decisions, and sports bet responsibly. Below are some tips for sports betting responsibly in Quebec.

• Do Your Research: Not every sportsbook is safe. If you are thinking of registering for a betting site, it is imperative that you do your research. Look up information on the operator to identify if it is a sportsbook that can be trusted, and read user reviews. Also, look into their licensing.
• Bet Within Your Means: The temptation of placing huge sports bets is immense, but it is important you don’t start betting outside of your means. Only deposit amounts in your account that you are comfortable losing.
• Understand Problem Behavior: Problem behavior in gambling is when bettors start chasing their losses, gambling on sports they don’t understand, and compulsively betting. Understand when your betting moves from a fun experience to a negative vice.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Contact Authorities for Help: If you are exhibiting problem behavior, there are people you can reach out to. Loto-Quebec has resources for bettors that need assistance with bad gambling habits, and there are plenty of other options online.

It is also worth noting that there are gambling tools available for those who are struggling with unhealthy betting habits. Sports betting is inherently a bit of a risk, and some bettors struggle to enjoy wagering in a healthy way. Problematic gambling can be a serious risk. Luckily, there are resources available for those in Quebec who have noticed they are slipping into unhealthy gambling behaviour. 

Loto-Quebec has a Wise Play page that features a number of resources for bettors. These offer helpful tools for sports bettors to ensure that gambling remains fun. There are tips and useful breakdowns of exactly how the system works.

Further, they also run a helpline at 1-800-461-0140. This is a bilingual, 24/7 phone line that is available for those who are noticing problematic behaviour and want to speak to qualified experts to help them through their difficult time. It is confidential and free. The idea behind this helpline is to provide bettors a safe, comfortable space where they can discuss their issues and concerns with counselors, who can help connect them to more resources and avoid worsening the issue.

Sportsbook to avoid

There are certain traits you should be certain to avoid in betting sites. Let’s look at some traits of sports betting sites to avoid.

• No License Displayed on Home Page
• Horrible User Reviews
• Promises Offers That Seem Too Good to be True

If you are searching for a sportsbook to use, you will have the option of picking between licensed and unlicensed operators. It is imperative that you pick licensed operators.

Licenses come from regulators, whether they are based in Canada or overseas. These are trusted third-party operators run by government organizations that look through an entire sportsbook and verify several aspects of them.

Unlicensed operators don’t have that kind of oversight. They are not beholden to anyone, and they can essentially do as they please. This is certainly a recipe for risk. Bettors can look at the bottom of the home page on a betting site to see their licensing. If a sportsbook doesn’t display its license on the home page, this is normally a bad sign.

Why should I use a licensed site?

So, what are the risks of using an operator that doesn’t have a license? And why is using a licensed operator a more favorable decision for bettors? Let’s look at the key differences.

• Cybersecurity: Licensed sportsbooks have requirements from operators that make sure they have high-quality cybersecurity systems to protect user data. This isn’t necessarily the case with unlicensed operators.
• Fairness: Licensed operators have rules that govern the fairness of their games and bonuses. Unlicensed operators can do as they please, including implementing virtual casino games that slant the odds even more heavily in their favor.
• Scam Potential: Ultimately, the scam potential with unlicensed sportsbooks is very high. There is no oversight, and they could easily rip off Quebec sports

About Mise-O-Jeu

Mise-O-Jeu is the Quebec lottery-owned sports betting website. It was launched in 2004 and, to this day, remains the only sportsbook that is licensed and regulated by the Quebec government. They have a betting app that Quebec residents can download, and are one of the most popular options for Quebec sports betting. They originally only accepted parlay bets, but due to Bill C-218, they now will allow single-game bets.