Quebec Keen to Offer Online Poker This Year

February 8 - The finance minister of Quebec, Raymond Bachand, rolled out plans to legalize online poker room and sportsbetting through a new online gambling service offered by Loto Quebec.

The plans are due to come into effect by September this year.

Bachand said that Loto Quebec will develop the new online poker site in collaboration with the BC and Atlantic Lottery Corporations.

Only those living within Quebec's borders will be able to play at the site, which will contain tough levels of responsible gaming, including age verification methods, self exclusion options and more.

Bachand and Loto Quebec have fought back against criticism of the plan by stating that Quebeckers are exposed to thousands of online poker sites already.

"I believe this to be an efficient way of fighting the underground economy," said Bachand. "Our citizens are not currently protected, and the money goes to illegal channels."

The government hopes to make up to $50 million in three years and wants to grab a good part of the industry.

The government gave an example of Sweden's regulated poker site that gained 20% of the market within a few hours of going live.

Officials are thus hoping to attract Canadians who want to pursue poker games online but would prefer doing so through regulated poker sites - such as those run by Loto Quebec.

To appease opposition groups, including 1,200 croupiers who are part of Loto Quebec's ground casino staff, the government said that it will establish a committee to study how the online gambling sites impact citizens.