RE:Quebec Loses Exclusive Online Gaming Rights Loto-Qubec loses online gambling monopoly
Blocking online gambling does not fall under Quebec's jurisdiction
Pierre Couture
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 05:00
Loto-Qubec can not force the blocking of foreign websites of games of chance. These powers are rather federal, slice the Superior Court.
Some sections of Bill 74 must be declared invalid, because those powers belong to Ottawa and not to Quebec, the court ruled.
This law required, since 2016, internet service providers to block at great expense foreign sites of games of chance deemed illegal by Loto-Qubec.
However, it is "a provision that operates directly in two areas of exclusive federal jurisdiction, namely telecommunications and the criminal law," writes Judge Pierre Nollet.
Bill 74 was challenged in court by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), which represents Internet providers such as Videotron, Bell, Cogeco and Rogers.
This challenge undermined the efforts of the Quebec government to act. These sites are estimated to cost Loto-Qubec nearly $ 200 million annually.
"We are satisfied with the decision of the Quebec Superior Court. We have consistently argued that Canadians are best served by a consistent, coherent and predictable federal regulatory framework, rather than a patchwork of provincial regulations, "said ACTS spokesperson Tioul Traor on Monday.
Even the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission argued that Quebec could not block Loto-Qubec's competitors without its approval, in accordance with federal law.
lips are sealed
At Loto-Qubec, no one wanted to comment on the judgment on Monday. "Unfortunately, Loto-Qubec will not comment publicly because it is a court case," said his spokesman, Patrice Lavoie.
At the Quebec Ministry of Justice, it is said to have taken note of the judgment without wanting to comment on it.
The Quebec government could decide to appeal the case. Government lawyers have until August 18 to rule.
Late
Since the coming into force of Bill 74 in May 2016, Loto-Qubec has also fallen behind schedule to close illegal sites in Quebec.
Numerous tenders that would allow illegal sites to integrate the Espacejeux.com platform have still not been launched.
The online gambling and gambling market generates revenues of over $ 300 million a year in Quebec.
Last year, Loto-Qubec's Espacejeux.com platform generated $ 118 million, $ 32 million more than a year earlier.