Loto-Québec is a

crown corporation Crown corporation () is the term used in Canada for organizations that are structured like private companies, but are directly and wholly owned by the government. Crown corporations have a long-standing presence in the country, and have a sign ...

in the Canadian province of

Quebec Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...

. Established in 1969, it oversees

lottery A lottery (or lotto) is a form of gambling that involves the drawing of numbers at random for a prize. Some governments outlaw lotteries, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find som ...

and gaming in the province alongside operating some of its own. The corporation operates lottery games such as draw games and scratch cards, casinos and gaming halls, bingo parlors, video lottery, and

online gambling Online gambling (also known as iGaming or iGambling) is any kind of gambling conducted on the internet. This includes virtual poker, casinos, and sports betting. The first online gambling venue opened to the general public was ticketing for th ...

via its Espacejeux service. It is a member of the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation and administers national games within the province.

Organization

Loto-Québec's activities are managed by several subsidiaries: * The Société des casinos du Québec operates four casinos in the province ( Casino de Montréal, Casino de Charlevoix, Casino du Lac-Leamy, and Casino de Mont-Tremblant) as well as restaurant and hotel services. * The Société des établissements de jeux du Québec operates a network of around 12,000 video lottery terminals in bars, brasseries, and two gaming hall entertainment complexes in Quebec City and

Trois-Rivières Trois-Rivières (, ; ) is a city in the Mauricie administrative region of Quebec, Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Saint-Maurice River, Saint-Maurice and Saint Lawrence River, Saint Lawrence rivers, on the north shore of the Sain ...

. It also operates a bingo network and a Kinzo hall. * Casiloc inc. is responsible for construction projects, acquiring furniture and equipment, and renting casino premises. It is also in charge of purchasing property for the lottery, video lottery, and bingo sectors of operations. * Lotim Inc. owns the building at 500 Sherbrooke Street West in Montréal that houses the head offices of Loto-Québec and its subsidiaries. * Technologies Nter established in 2000, and later fully incorporated in 2004 as a subsidiary of Loto-Québec, specializes in information technology services that support the corporation's diverse gaming and entertainment operations. Loto-Québec employs more than 5,000 people including nearly 4,500 in its four casinos. The corporation has a program for the acquisition of contemporary Quebec art in its Collection Loto-Québec. The collection holds more than 4,900 works of art created by roughly 1,200 Quebec artists.

History

Origins and Early Developments (1969–1970)

In 1969, the Government of Quebec passed the ''Act respecting the Société des loteries du Québec'', creating Loto-Québec as a government corporation to operate legalized games of chance. This initiative sought to combat illegal gambling while generating revenue for public services. The first lottery, Inter Loto, was launched on March 14, 1970, with a C$125,000 jackpot and $2 tickets. At the time, no legislation clarified which level of government controlled games of chance. The federal government established its own lottery in 1972 to fund the 1976 Montreal Summer Olympics. By 1979, sustained provincial pressure dissolved the federal lottery body, Loto-Canada, transferring jurisdiction for gambling entirely to the provinces. This arrangement required provinces to share a portion of lottery profits with the federal government—amounting to C$14.1 million in 2006.

Growth and Milestones (1976–1990s)

Loto-Québec introduced its first million-dollar lottery, Super Loto, in 1976. In 1982, the pan-Canadian lottery Lotto 6/49 was launched with a C$500,000 jackpot, becoming a national sensation. The corporation diversified further in 1993, collaborating with broadcaster TVA to create the weekly game show ''La Poule aux œufs d'or''. Contestants selected golden eggs to win cash prizes, with Guy Mongrain as the original host.

Casino Expansion (1990s–2000s)

Loto-Québec entered the casino market in the 1990s, opening the Casino de Montréal in 1993. Additional casinos followed, including: * Casino de Charlevoix (1994) * Casino du Lac-Leamy (1996) * Casino de Mont-Tremblant (2009) These facilities offered a mix of gaming, dining, and entertainment, establishing Quebec as a premier gambling destination. In the early 2000s, Loto-Québec implemented policies to reduce the number of video lottery terminals (VLTs) in the province. By 2009, the number of VLTs had dropped from 14,301 to 11,410, generating $670 million in annual sales.

Challenges and Ethical Concerns

Critics highlighted the social impact of gambling, particularly the role of VLTs in fostering addiction. A 2008 lawsuit accused Loto-Québec of failing to warn players about the risks of VLT dependency. The case concluded with a $50 million settlement in 2009, which funded therapy for compulsive gamblers. In 2004, the EmJEU coalition was formed, advocating for ethical gambling practices and criticizing plans like the proposed relocation of Casino de Montréal to the Old Port. Public opposition and a report by Guy Coulombe led to the project's cancellation in 2006.

International Ventures and Certifications

In 2006, Loto-Québec partnered with Casinos Développement Europe, acquiring a 35% stake in the group. Domestically, the corporation opened Ludoplexes—gaming halls designed to centralize gambling activities while reducing the number of VLT locations. In 2009, the corporation achieved Level 4 certification in responsible gaming from the World Lottery Association, recognizing its commitment to minimizing gambling-related harm.

Digital Transformation and Online Gaming (2010–present)

As online gaming grew, Loto-Québec launched Espacejeux.com in 2010, offering digital lotteries, poker, and sports betting. Despite opposition from public health groups and the EmJEU coalition, the corporation argued that regulating online gaming would counteract illegal gambling and ensure player protection. Loto-Québec introduced Kinzo, a modernized bingo concept, in 2010. Featuring shorter games and a lounge-like atmosphere, Kinzo aimed to attract younger players while revitalizing the traditional bingo market.

Cultural and Economic Contributions

Loto-Québec has consistently reinvested profits into public services, including healthcare and education. By sponsoring major events like the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Just for Laughs Festival, the corporation has become a vital supporter of Quebec’s cultural scene.

Looking Ahead

With a focus on sustainability and technological innovation, Loto-Québec continues to balance its economic objectives with its responsibility to promote safe gambling practices. Initiatives like artificial intelligence integration and expanded responsible gaming programs reflect its commitment to adapting to changing market trends.

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Loto-Quebec Quebec government departments and agencies Lotteries in Canada Organizations based in Montreal