Lotto-Quebec to Move into Online Gaming

Alain Cousineau, President and CEO of the Canadian lottery provider, Lotto-Quebec, confessed in a speech this week that the corporation must respond to the huge growth in the online gambling industry and reinvent itself to remain competitive. The remarks were addressed to the Montreal Board of Trade and come as Lotto-Quebec prepares to celebrate its fortieth anniversary.

Cousineau revealed that the organization will expand its business operations and venture into online gambling. The company plans to incorporate a virtual betting outlet, mainly composed of online poker rooms and sportsbooks, possibly as early as mid-2010.

Lotto-Quebec is apparently intending to collaborate with five other lottery corporations from various Canadian provinces, such as British Columbia and four Atlantic provinces, which already provide online gaming services. However, a number of regulatory changes must first occur to allow such a move and Lotto-Quebec has submitted its request.