What's in store for La Belle Province?

Somewhat lost in the reaction to the passing of Bill C-218 by the Senate last week was Loto-Quebec announcing the appointment of Ann MacDonald as the new chair of the board of directors. A member of the board since 2019, MacDonald replaces Helene Fortin, who has chaired the board for 13 years.

As has been the case with other lottery corporations across the country, Loto-Quebec has been heavily impacted by the closure of its casinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. Casinos are beginning to reopen and MacDonald begins her tenure overseeing the corporation’s strategy and execution on an expanded sports betting business. Loto-Quebec was silent during the process around Bill C-218, including the decision to keep at arm’s length from the Canadian Gaming Association. There’s also the non-existent relationship between the province’s gaming corporation and the nearby Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which licenses and regulates Sports Interaction.

We’re intrigued by the opportunities available to sportsbooks and other sports betting stakeholders in a province with its own unique sports market. That includes the presence of the Montreal Canadiens, the Montreal Alouettes, CF Montreal, the annual Formula One racing stop in Montreal and the Rogers Cup men’s and women’s tennis tournaments - not to mention a rabid following of francophone athletes and teams across amateur, professional and Olympic sports.

‍