The Best Online Casinos in Montreal – Your Guide to Gambling in Montreal

How We Pick the Top Online Casinos in Montreal

We know first-hand how difficult it can be to find genuine gambling sites that you can trust with your time and money. This is especially true since many of the online casinos catering to Montreal gamblers are not licensed in the jurisdiction. For this reason, your safety and enjoyment are our main priority. We put every Montreal online casino through a strict review process before recommending it to you. We evaluate each site according to several criteria, which we discuss in more detail below:

Safety and Security 

Your personal details and funds should be safe when you play at a Montreal online casino. Taking this into account, our team only recommends sites which are licensed by a respected gaming authority.

Licensed sites must follow strict security protocols to ensure you’re never at risk while playing. Your details will always be safeguarded by encryption technology. On top of that, the games you play will be tested regularly for fairness.

There are several gambling authorities that regulate online casinos catering to Montreal players. These include the MGA and the UKGC. Any casino licensed by these authorities is regarded as a safe online casino. 

Quality of Casino Bonuses

Casino bonuses are one of the best aspects of gaming sites. We list Montreal online casinos here that have a rich selection of bonuses for new and existing players. Our approved sites offer welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, free spins, and cashback, among other deals. Many of them also feature loyalty programmes and VIP clubs for high rollers. 

We also look at the fine print of each bonus. We prefer offers that come with fair terms and conditions. For example, you should benefit from reasonable wagering requirements. Overall, we want you to enjoy hassle-free bonuses when playing at a Montreal casino online.

Popular Casino Games

Before we feature a casino on this page, we ensure that it has a variety of games that are popular with the locals. Every gambler is different, which is why we prioritise variety. Here are some of the most loved casino games in Montreal:

Online Slots: Our approved sites offer hundreds of different slot games. You’ll find classic slots with three reels and video slots that are packed with bonuses. 

Table Games: Casino staples like blackjack and roulette are a hit in Montreal. This is why our casino sites feature all the best table games and their variations in their lobby. 

Online Poker: Locals enjoy games like Texas Hold’em in live poker rooms. Naturally, the best online casinos also offer several poker games in Montreal.  

Live Dealer Games: Looking for an authentic casino experience? Live casinos are the perfect solution. They let you interact with real croupiers when you gamble online. 

Reliable Payment Options

You should be able to deposit and withdraw money with ease. For this reason, our sites have a decent range of Canadian casino payment options. You’ll find these deposit methods at our recommended Montreal casinos: 

Credit and Debit Cards: You can use your Visa or MasterCard at Montreal casinos. They’re very easy to use, which is why they’re so popular. Most times they can only be used for deposits. 

E-Wallets: If you’re looking to keep your banking details confidential, then virtual payment systems like Interac and InstaDebit are great Canadian options. They’re generally suitable for both deposits and withdrawals. 

Prepaid Cards: You can purchase prepaid cards from local stores and use them to quickly move money into your casino account. Paysafecard is regarded as one of the most secure prepaid cards for deposits. 

Cryptocurrencies: Virtual currencies like Bitcoin and ETH are skyrocketing in popularity across the globe. They’re ideal for those who want to remain anonymous while gambling at online Montreal casino sites.

Professional Customer Support

We want you to get quick support if you run into any issues while playing at a Montreal casino online.  We expect the best sites to have a friendly team who can get you the help you need. They should be easy to reach through several contact options, including email, telephone, and live chat. 

Montreal is the second largest city with French speakers, behind Paris. Taking this into account, we only consider sites that offer support in French, besides English. 

Online Gambling in Montreal: A Quick Overview

Online gambling in Canada for the most part is permitted. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, each province can set its own gambling laws. Loto-Quebec is the local gambling commission. It regulates all gambling activities in the province.

Currently, there is only one online casino that is regulated in Quebec. This site is called Espace Jeux, and it offers several casino games and sports betting options. Besides Espace Jeux, there are many online casinos available to Montreal residents.  These sites are based oversees. Since they aren’t physically located in Quebec, they can accept locals as they don’t fall under Quebec’s jurisdiction.

Not long ago, lawmakers in Quebec passed a bill that was meant to block foreign operators in the province. The Supreme Court of Canada announced that banning these sites was “unconstitutional”. The ban was lifted and playing at an online casino in Montreal became perfectly legal.  

The online gambling scene in Montreal still isn’t completely regulated in the same way other provinces are. For example, there are several Ontario online casinos that are licensed within that specific province. Your gaming options in Montreal are a tad different. You can play at the state-run casino site or take your pick from a number of reputable offshore operators. Both options have their own perks. Quebec’s state-owned site has the advantage of being local. It has oversight from the government of Quebec, which adds a layer of security and customer protection. On the other hand, you may be able to find more enticing bonuses at Montreal online casinos that are based oversees. These sites also have a bigger selection of games which come from the best software providers in the gaming industry. 

Our Top Tips for Playing at Online Casinos in Montreal

Getting started with real money gambling at Canadian online casinos can seem daunting. But our expert tips will help you stay safe and have a great time. Here’s what you need to know:

• Stay away from scam casinos. Never sign up with an unlicensed casino as there’s no guarantee they will pay out your winnings. Read legit reviews and visit player forums to find out about a casino’s reputation. 
• Always read the bonus terms. Canadian casino bonuses always come with terms and conditions. Read them before claiming any offer to see if you’re getting a good deal.
• Pick a deposit option you trust. Before you start playing real money casino games, check the site’s banking section. This way, you’ll see whether the site in question has your preferred payment options. 
• Look for quality game lobbies. Before you make a deposit, scour the casino’s lobby to see whether the games offered come from reliable software providers. IGT, Microgaming, and NetEnt are noteworthy examples. 
• Play for free first. Nowadays, you can try many games for free before playing for real. Free slot machines, for example, allow you to get a feel for the games and their setup. You can play thousands of slots in demo mode on our site.

The Best Land-Based Casinos for Montreal Residents

Montreal gamblers can pick from a wide choice of land-based casinos in Quebec. Each local casino offers a host of gaming options to suit all tastes. So, whether you want to spin progressive slot machines, try video poker, or take part in table game tournaments, chances are you’ll find something you like. 

Below, you’ll find the top land-based casinos in Quebec:

The History of Legal Gambling in Montreal

The story of gambling in Quebec largely begins in 1970. In this year, the organisation now known as Loto-Quebec held its first drawing, a lottery known as Inter Loto. Lotteries had just become legal under Canadian law a few years earlier. Hence, the provinces wanted to jump into the business to raise revenues for their governments. Within a few years, Loto-Quebec had begun offering million-dollar drawings. Today it’s the largest single-province lottery corporation in Canada. These lottery offerings have expanded to include the biggest nationwide drawings, such as Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49.

But the corporation’s activities go far beyond lotteries. In fact, they are also overseeing the four land-based casinos in the country, including the Casino de Montréal. This is done through a subsidiary known as the Societe des casinos du Quebec. It was formed in 1992 when the first two casinos were approved by the Quebec cabinet. Since then, more land-based casinos have been added to the province. They include the Casino du Lac-Leamy and the Casino du Mont-Tremblant, which opened in 2009.

The Casino de Montréal, however, is still the largest of the bunch. In fact, it’s the largest gambling resort in all of Canada. The entire complex features 115 table games and more than 3,200 slots. It also offers other amenities including restaurants, bars, and meeting rooms. While there have been attempts to move the casino, public opinion was strongly against such a decision. The local authority has instead put more than $100 million into renovations for the existing location.

While horse racing is still available, the most popular racing venue in Montreal has sadly closed its doors. The Hippodrome de Montreal, also known as the Blue Bonnets Raceway, was first opened in 1872. Through the 1970s, it was one of the premier venues for harness racing in North America. However, in its later years, the facility seemed outdated, and it finally closed in 2009. The future of the site is unclear, but it seems unlikely that racing will return anytime soon.  The buildings are now abandoned and in disrepair.

Montreal’s Move to Internet Gambling

In 2010, Loto-Quebec was granted the authority to provide regulated internet gambling services throughout the province. This decision wasn’t without controversy. On the one hand, supporters argued that the site could bring in new revenue and provider a safer alternative to foreign sites. Critics, however, feared that children and problem gamblers would gain easier access to games.

But in November of that year, Espace Jeux started to allow gamblers to make accounts. The games then went live in December. As mentioned earlier, the site is still available today, offering a wide range of slots, table games, video poker, and other popular options. Users can also purchase their lottery tickets through the side, and sports betting is also offered, with single game betting or parlays of up to eight games allowed.

Online poker is also available through the government portal, and Canadian gamblers aren’t restricted to playing against others in the province. Starting in February 2011, the site linked with a poker room run by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. It allows players to compete against a combined player pool across the two provinces, operating as the Canadian Poker Network.

You can get into sports betting through the Mise-o-jeu platform. This platform is also regulated by Loto-Quebec, and it’s available online. It allows betting on single-game wagers. Win bets, spread bets, player probs bets and totals are possible too. You can also participate in picks-type contests. Bets are allowed on hockey, football, baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, boxing, and auto racing. 

Real Money Gambling in Montreal: Recent Developments

Earlier, we briefly discussed how lawmakers in Quebec have tried to block foreign online gambling operators. This comes as no surprise, considering how the government has actively tried to strengthen its monopoly in the industry. Below, we’ll discuss the issue in more detail, and the recent developments it has led to. 

Known as Bill 74, the measure was introduced to help protect the state-owned sites from competition. Officials also claimed it would help protect citizens from the predatory practices many unlicensed sites engaged in. But critics had several objections to this provision. They claimed the bill went against principles of freedom of expression, violated telecommunications law, and led to internet censorship.

But despite these protests, the bill was passed in May 2016. It allowed the Ministry of Finance to order Internet Service Providers to block foreign sites. The case was brought to the Supreme Court of Canada by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CTWA). The Court decided to declare the bill unconstitutional and lift the ban. It also stopped provinces from creating similar bills again.

In 2021, Jean-François Bergeron, Loto-Quebec’s president, claimed the commission needed more tools to fight illegal online gambling, urging the federal government to also do its part. Despite the challenge, he asserted that Loto-Quebec is “committed to competing with the illegal operators”.

However, illegal online casinos are not a priority for Montreal police. La Presse have reported that Montreal law enforcement have not received complaints about casino sites in the past three years. Instead, they are focusing their investigations on more violent and organised crime in relation to gambling.

In the meantime, Quebec continues to strengthen its online casino offering. Loto-Quebec has partnered up with prominent software developers like Red Tiger Gaming and High 5 Games. By doing so, Espace Jeux will features hundreds of games from the developers’ portfolios. These will include prominent video slots like Gonzo’s Quest Megaways and Triple Double Da Vinci Diamonds. The commission has also added live casino games by Evolution Gaming to it’s offering. Casino de Montreal will serve as the host ground for the new Evolution titles. This latest deal will allow Evolution and Loto-Quebec to combine online and land-based casino games.

Play at a Top Online Casino in Montreal Today

Quebec gamblers are spoiled for choice when it comes to online casinos in Montreal. Our recommended casino sites tick all the boxes. They protect your privacy, offer French language support, and feature popular games. Our Montreal casinos will reward new players with a generous welcome bonus. Existing members can take advantage of regular promotions too.

If this sounds right up your street, then check out our curated list above and pick a quality gaming site today. Alternatively, you can read through our independent casino reviews for more information.

Want to know more about gambling regulation in other countries? Check out our casinos by country page for our full coverage.