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Our history

Our history

Proud of our past, looking toward the future!

Always attentive to the needs of our customers, and thanks to its dynamism, over the years, we have always met the challenges of a constantly changing world.

Since 1969, several dates and events have marked our history.

1969 to 1980

1969

  • December 23: The Criminal Code of Canada is amended to permit provinces to operate lottery schemes. The Société d’exploitation des loteries et courses du Québec (Loto-Québec) becomes Canada’s first lottery corporation, and North America’s third.

1970

  • January: Maurice T. Custeau is appointed President.
     
  • March 14: Loto-Québec holds its first draw, Monthly Lottery, a $2 passive lottery offering a jackpot of $125,000.
     
  • The three first lotteries created were: 
    • Mini (weekly lottery for 50 cents). First draw: June 5
    • Monthly Lottery (monthly $2 lottery)
    • Super (quarterly $4 lottery)
       
  • Over the course of the fiscal year ending March 31, 1971, Loto-Québec awards more than $15 million in prizes, based on sales of $51 million.

1972

  • The Canadian Parliament authorizes the Canada Olympic Lottery, which becomes Loto-Canada in 1976. The Federal Government thereby becomes a direct competitor of the provinces.

 

  • August 10: Loto-Perfecta is launched following the implementation of a mechanical wager-registration system. The results are determined by horse races.

1973

  • For the first time, an event sponsored by Loto-Québec appears on Mini tickets: Les 24 heures de La Tuque.

1975

  • Over a five-year period, 1,012,800 winners claimed prizes.
     
  • Loto-Québec moves to its new offices on Berri Street in Montréal.

1976

  • Paul-André Michaud is appointed President.
     
  • Following a draw for Super Loto, Loto-Québec awards its very first $1 million prize.
     
  • Ontario and the western provinces create the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation.

1977

  • Jean-Marc Lafaille is appointed President.
  • Loto-Québec entrusts the management of lottery ticket kiosks to non‑profit organizations (NPOs). 

1978

  • In keeping with technological developments, Loto-Québec acquires computers and terminals in order to operate lotteries in real-time. Hence, the 6/36 becomes computerized.
     
  • Loto-Québec and the Atlantic provinces join the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game called Provincial is sold from coast to coast.

1979

  • The Société d’exploitation des loteries et courses du Québec (Loto‑Québec) becomes the Société des loteries et courses du Québec.
     
  • La Collection Loto-Québec acquires its first work of art.
     
  • The Federal Government withdraws from the lottery industry in exchange for compensation from the provinces.
     
  • September 10: La Quotidienne, a terminal-based game involving a three-digit number, is launched.

1980

  • A four-digit version of La Quotidienne, with weekly draws, is held under the name Loto-Sélect.

1981 to 1990

1981

  • Loto-Québec implements a program to provide grants and subsidies to students and teachers studying the phenomena of compulsive gambling and gaming in general.

1982

  • June 12: The first pan-Canadian terminal-based lottery is launched. Named Lotto 6/49, it is offered to consumers weekly with a guaranteed jackpot of $500,000.
     
  • Loto-Québec becomes responsible for the secretarial position of the International Association of State Lotteries, today called the World Lottery Association.

1983

  • Mini and Inter tickets are produced by computer using a state-of-the-art technique that offers security advantages.
     
  • Loto-Québec moves to 500 Sherbrooke Street West in Montréal.

1984

  • The national frenzy created by the accumulated jackpot of nearly $14 million makes Lotto 6/49 Canada’s most popular game.

1985

  • David Clark is appointed President.
     
  • Lotto 6/49 becomes bi-weekly.
     
  • The Federal Government guarantees the provinces exclusive jurisdiction over lotteries and gambling in exchange for a contribution of $100 million to the Calgary Olympics.

1986

  • The 6/36 is replaced with Sélect 42, and Inter becomes Inter plus.

1988

  • January: Roue de Fortune is launched, becoming the first lottery in which the game takes place live on television.
     
  • May: The Super Loto makes way for Spécial 88, the first high-end lottery, created in collaboration with the other provincial lottery corporations.
     
  • Loto-Québec posts sales of $1 billion.

1989

  • September 15: Inspired by Keno, Loto-Québec creates Banco, a $1 lottery with draws held three times a week.

1990

  • January: The Les Minis child-care centre opens, welcoming the children of parents working at Loto-Québec’s head office.
     
  • April 4: Loto-Québec holds the first draw for Extra, which is twinned with Sélect 42 and Lotto 6/49.
  • October: Loto-Québec launches Mise-o-jeu, its first sports lottery.

1991 to 2000

1991

  • August: Michel Crête is appointed President.
     
  • World first: Loto-Quiz is launched. This televised game allows people playing at home and on TV to win prizes.

1992

  • Two Loto-Québec subsidiaries are created:
    • The Société des casinos du Québec, which is responsible for building and managing the government-owned casinos;
    • Casiloc, which builds, acquires the furniture and equipment and selects the location for the casinos.

1993

  • Loto-Québec created Resto-Casino, which oversees the management of the casinos’ restaurants and bars.
     
  • May: Loto-Bingo, the first instant lottery available regularly from Loto‑Québec retailers, is offered to customers.
     
  • With the arrival of the $2 lottery, La Poule aux œufs d’or, Loto-Québec gives an interactive dimension to a popular 60s television program.
     
  • June: The Société des loteries vidéo du Québec, a Loto-Québec subsidiary, is created.
     
  • October 9: The Casino de Montréal opens for business, and includes a self-exclusion program.

1994

  • June: A new terminal-based game is offered to consumers: Super 7.
     
  • June: Video lottery terminals are installed in bars and are managed by a Loto-Québec subsidiary, the Société des loteries vidéo du Québec.
     
  • June 24: The Casino de Charlevoix opens for business.

1995

  • November: To highlight its 25th anniversary, Loto-Québec holds a gala draw event that is broadcast on television.
     
  • The Société des casinos du Québec acquires the building housing the Casino de Montréal, the Québec Pavilion, parking lots and adjacent lots to carry out expansion work.

1996

  • Web users can obtain draw results on the Loto-Québec Web site.
     
  • March 24: The Casino de Hull opens its doors, becoming the third of Québec’s gaming establishments.
     
  • September: The Cabaret du Casino de Montréal opens its doors.

1997

  • April: Loto-Québec inaugurates its Québec City office, where winners from the region can claim their prizes.
     
  • September 8: The Casino de Montréal is now open 24 hours a day.
     
  • December 2: The Société des bingos du Québec, a Loto-Québec subsidiary, launches its business operations.
     
  • Loto-Québec donates $500,000 over five years to the Centre québécois d'excellence pour la prévention et le traitement du jeu at Université Laval.
     
  • Loto-Québec incorporates the concept of responsibility into its administrative framework and creates a team to conduct scientific research and prevent excessive gambling.

1998

  • Count Me Out, a program designed to raise awareness among young people about the risks of games of chance and gambling, is launched in some 3,200 schools across Québec.
     
  • Loto-Québec creates a consortium with Canadian Pacific Hotels and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ to acquire and develop the Manoir Richelieu hotel complex.
     
  • December: Creation of Ingenio, a new subsidiary dedicated to multimedia.
     
  • The Government of Québec modifies Bill 84 governing lotteries: starting February 1, 2000, the sale of lottery products to minors is prohibited.

1999

  • June: Adjacent to the Casino de Charlevoix, the newly restored Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu hotel opens its doors. This property is the pride and joy of a consortium consisting of Loto-Québec, Canadian Pacific Hotels and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ. The resulting complex is a world-class resort.

2000

  • The sale of lottery products to persons under 18 years of age is prohibited. The "18+" logo is added to Loto-Québec messages following the adoption of the new law prohibiting the sale of lottery tickets to minors.
     
  • Lotomatique is completely reworked. This subscription service enables consumers to play Lotto 6/49, Super 7, Québec 49, and multiple Extra numbers, all automatically.
     
  • February: Loto-Québec launches a lottery played with a CD-ROM. The game was developed by subsidiary Ingenio.
     
  • The 8,250 lottery terminals are replaced by a model manufactured by Québec firm ETI.
     
  • In a joint venture with CGI, Loto-Québec creates Technologies Nter.
     
  • Loto-Québec launches a major ad campaign to counter compulsive gambling, adopting the theme "Gambling should remain a game."
     
  • A parental control software is offered at the launch of the new multimedia lottery game: Trésors de la tour.
     
  • Loto-Québec helps create the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours at McGill University.

2001 to 2010

2001

  • April: Loto-Québec increases its allocation to countering compulsive gambling to $20 million. Management of the prevention and treatment program is handed over to the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
     
  • October: Adjacent to the Casino de Hull, the Théâtre du Casino, the Hilton Lac-Leamy and a conference centre are inaugurated. Total cost of the project: $210 million.
     
  • The training program, Au hasard du jeu, for video lottery retailers is launched.
     
  • Crisis intervention services are implemented in casinos to offer immediate on-site help to people showing signs of distress related to compulsive gambling.

2002

  • February: Gaétan Frigon is appointed President.
     
  • March: The Casino de Hull becomes the Casino du Lac-Leamy.
     
  • March: The Fondation Mise sur toi, which becomes independent in 2009, is created.
     
  • May: The expansion and restoration work begins on the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Golf Course.
     
  • July: Loto-Québec creates subsidiary Casino Mundial, an entity dedicated to exporting Loto-Québec’s know-how in the planning, setup and operation of casinos and related services.

 

  • The Ici, on carte! program is instituted to help retailers enforce the law prohibiting the sale of lottery products to minors.
     
  • Loto-Québec prints the probabilities of winning on the back of lottery tickets and selection sheets to increase awareness in the public of how games really work.

2003

  • From February to September: Robert Crevier is the Acting President and Chief Executive Officer.
     
  • September 29: Alain Cousineau is appointed President.
     
  • October 9: The Casino de Montréal celebrates its 10th anniversary.
     
  • Technologies Nter becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Loto-Québec.

2004

  • May 6: Loto-Québec releases its 2004-2007 Development Plan, which proposes three strategic initiatives: 
    • To reduce access to video lottery terminals
    • To create an organization independent of Loto-Québec and the provincial government, called Le Conseil québécois pour le jeu responsable.
    • To find a long-term solution that would enable the Casino de Montréal to continue operating under the best possible conditions, without expanding the overall gaming offering.
       
  • June 24: The Casino de Charlevoix celebrates its 10th anniversary.

2005

  • May: Loto-Québec celebrates 35 years of existence.
     
  • May: Loto-Québec inaugurates Espace Création (a venue for exhibits and activities dedicated to promoting the visual arts, located on the ground floor of Loto-Québec’s Montréal head office) with a Gilles Carle tribute exhibition.
     
  • July 26: A new subsidiary, the Société des salons de jeux du Québec, is created.
     
  • October 14: Two new programs for the voluntary withdrawal of video lottery terminals are announced.
     
  • November: Loto-Québec publishes its first Social Responsibility Review.
     
  • Québec’s advertising industry honours the 6/49's "Always be nice" ad campaign with two Coq d’or and two Créa awards. The ad also earned a Silver Cassies in a competition hosted by the Canadian advertising industry.
     
  • The Code of Responsible Commercialization for video lottery retailers is circulated.

2006

  • The weekly edition of La Poule aux œufs d’or surpasses the $100 million mark in prizes paid out on TV since the game was introduced in 1993.
     
  • The Hilton Lac-Leamy Hotel again wins Best Overall Performance in North America (commercial category), awarded at Hilton Corporation’s annual convention.
     
  • Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu and Le Charlevoix restaurant are awarded the Four Diamond Rating by the Canadian Automobile Association and the American Automobile Association (CAA-AAA).
     
  • February: The Fondation Mise sur toi launches a vast awareness campaign focused on excessive gaming.
     
  • March 24: The Casino du Lac-Leamy celebrates its 10th anniversary.
     
  • March 30: Loto-Québec’s Casino Mundial subsidiary officially becomes shareholder in the French Moliflor Loisirs group, the third largest casino operator in France.
     
  • April 28: A Québecer wins a $30 million Super 7 jackpot, becoming the biggest winner in the history of Loto-Québec.
     
  • June 27: Ingenio and Bally Technologies announce that they have formed a long-term strategic alliance to vary the casino games available and maximize player entertainment.
     
  • November 2: The Québec Cabinet grants Loto-Québec the authority to open gaming halls in the province. This move represented a new stage in the implementation of Loto-Québec’s 2004-2007 Development Plan.
     
  • November: Loto-Québec adopts a sustainable development policy entitled Acting Responsibly and Developing Sustainably.
     
  • December: Loto-Québec’s buildings earn the Go Green™ (named BOMA BESt certification since 2008) designation from the Québec branch of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA Québec).
     
  • Loto-Québec adopts the World Lottery Association's principles and framework.
     
  • The first information booth, Au Centre du hasard, opens at the Casino de Montréal.
     
  • Loto-Québec organizes the first week to raise employee awareness about responsible gambling.

2007

  • January 31: Loto-Québec subsidiary Lotim becomes the sole owner of the building located at 500 Sherbrooke Street West in Montréal, which houses Loto-Québec’s headquarters and its subsidiaries.
     
  • June 12: Lotto 6/49 turns 25. Over $6 billion in prizes have been awarded to lucky Quebecers!
     
  • October 2: $15 million is invested in renovation and expansion work at the Casino de Charlevoix and the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu hotel.
     
  • October 19: The first gaming hall opens in Trois-Rivières.
     
  • November 22: The Salon de jeux de Québec opens in Québec City.
     
  • December 2: The Société des bingos du Québec celebrates its 10th anniversary. Since it was created, the SBQ has given more than $100 million to non-profit organizations.
     
  • The misesurtoi.ca website goes on line.
     
  • The Ludoplex card is introduced at the same time its gaming rooms open. The card requires players to set a maximum amount of money to wager at the beginning of each visit.
     
  • An Au Centre du hasard information booth opens at the Casino du Lac‑Leamy.
     
  • The first awareness campaign for the aboriginal community is organized (an initiative of the Fondation Kanatha in collaboration with Mise sur toi).

2008

  • January 18: Electronic Texas Hold’em poker makes its début at Québec’s casinos.
     
  • April 1: Responsibility for the management of gaming halls is given to the Société des loteries vidéo du Québec, a Loto-Québec subsidiary.
     
  • April 13: Loto-Québec announces the upcoming opening of a casino at Tremblant resort.
     
  • October 3: Loto-Québec is awarded its second Pilier d'Or presented by the Association des gestionnaires de parcs immobiliers institutionnels for the quality of its sustainable development policies.
     
  • October 31: Loto-Québec distinguishes itself at the first World Lottery Association (WLA) Responsible Gaming competition by winning the Best Player Education Program award.
     
  • November 13: Loto-Québec becomes a partner of UQAM's Chaire de responsabilité sociale et de développement durable.
     
  • November 20: The Célébration lottery celebrates its 20th anniversary.
     
  • Loto-Québec donates $600,000 to the Fondation de l'Université du Québec en Outaouais to fund the purchase of high-tech equipment for the new cyberpsychology laboratory.
     
  • Loto-Québec adopts a code of conduct for lottery retailers to reinforce their understanding of integrity, respect and social responsibility.
     
  • Loto-Québec requires retailers to take the terminal-based training Accès+, which strengthens the notions of responsible gambling and the law against selling lottery products to minors.

2009

  • February 3: The Collection Loto-Québec celebrates its 30th anniversary.
     
  • March 23: Loto-Québec announces major renovations that will enable the Casino de Montréal to remain competitive. The investment of $305.7 million will be made over four years.
     
  • April 1: Loto-Québec is awarded Level 4 certification—the highest international certification of its kind—from the World Lottery Association (WLA).
     
  • April 22: Loto-Québec signs a partnership agreement with Québec's various police forces to assist them in Amber Alerts when children are kidnapped and their lives are in danger.
     
  • June 24: The Casino de Mont-Tremblant opens its doors to the public.
     
  • June 25: A world record is set at the Casino de Charlevoix-Manoir Richelieu! The Guinness challenge for the largest cake-decorating event was taken up by 1,293 participants.
     
  • September 14: Super 7 pays out a $21 million jackpot in its final draw.
     
  • September 18: In collaboration with the other provincial lottery corporations, Loto-Québec launches Lotto Max.
     
  • Loto-Québec formalizes the decrease in video lottery terminals by cutting the sites where they are available by more than 36%.
     
  • An Au Centre du hasard information booth opens at the Casino de Charlevoix.

2010

  • June 25: Lotto Max offers the largest combined jackpot ever announced by Loto-Québec. In addition to its $50 million jackpot, Lotto Max sweetens the pot with 49 Maxmillions.
     
  • July 26: The government authorizes the Société des loteries du Québec to offer online gaming.
     
  • August 20:  Loto-Québec pays out a Lotto Max jackpot of approximately $37.6 million, the biggest prize ever won by a Québec resident.
     
  • October18: Loto-Québec introduces Kinzo, a new group game that provides financial assistance to non-profit organizations.
     
  • November 22: Formule groupe, a new way to play the lottery as a group, is launched.
     
  • December 1: Loto-Québec’s online gaming site, Espacejeux.com, is up and running!
     
  • An internal committee on responsible gambling is formed.
     
  • An Au Centre du hasard information booth opens at the Casino de Mont‑Tremblant.
     
  • The Bien joué! program is launched to recognize efforts made by video lottery retailers to responsibly manage the terminals.
     
  • Loto-Québec updates its mission and unveils its vision, both of which include the responsible marketing of gaming.

2011 to 2020

2011

  • May 2: Loto-Québec launches Lotto Poker. A first in Québec, this lottery offers an animated instant game called Quick Play that allows consumers to immediately see the result on the consumer screen.
     
  • June 8: Loto-Québec inaugurates two Kinzo halls, one in Repentigny and one in Longueuil, which are part of the network with the Montréal Kinzo hall.
     
  • July 20: Inauguration of new Kinzo halls in Joliette and Saint‑Eustache.
     
  • July 28: Loto-Québec is granted Security Control Standard Certification by the World Lottery Association (WLA SCS 2006), in recognition of the secure and trustworthy manner in which it operates games of chance.
     
  • The Lotoresponsable recognition program for lottery retailers begins.
     
  • October 26: In keeping with the results of a pilot project launched in 2010, the Société des bingos du Québec adapts the Kinzo project by establishing smaller, more user friendly halls.
     
  • November 7: Gérard Bideau is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Loto-Québec.
     
  • November 30: Kinzo grand opening in LaSalle.
     
  • December 7: Loto-Québec launches Kinzo in Beauport.
     
  • December 9: Kinzo begins operations in Saint‑Vincent‑de‑Paul, Laval.

2012

  • March 26: Mise-o-jeu is offering its sports bet selections online and through its mobile app.
     
  • May 7: Loto-Québec launches Sprinto, its 2nd terminal-based Quick Play game. In addition to an evening draw, a horse racing animation that takes place at time of purchase enables consumers to see live the result of the in-store game.
     
  • June 20: Kinzo opens in Granby.
     
  • July 4: Kinzo begins operations in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
     
  • August 27: It is possible to buy Loto-Québec lotteries online from a computer or using a mobile application.
     
  • September 9: For a second consecutive time, Loto-Québec has officially received Responsible Gaming Framework’s Level 4 Certification from the World Lottery Association (WLA).
     
  • September 26: Kinzo opens in Drummondville.
     
  • October 13: Loto-Québec launches a new online game: Québec Max.
     
  • November 1: Kinzo opens in Sherbooke. 
     
  • December 12: Kinzo opens in Victoriaville.

2013

  • January 28: Loto-Québec customers are able to bet on a cinema awards ceremony for the first time.
     
  • January 30: Kinzo opens in Laval.
     
  • March 11: Loto-Québec launches Lotto :D, its 3rd terminal-based Quick Play game. In addition to an evening draw, a dice game animation that takes place at time of purchase enables consumers to see live the result of the in-store game.
     
  • April 15: You can check terminal-issued lottery tickets and sports betting tickets using the Lotteries or Mise-o-jeu mobile apps.
     
  • May 15: Vanier Kinzo hall opens in Québec.
     
  • May 27: Lotto Poker, La Quotidienne and Astro are added to the several lottery products already available online.
     
  • June 13: Grand opening of the Zone at the Casino du Lac-Leamy, the only gaming area of its kind in North America.
     
  • August 13: A new Kinzo hall opens in Saint-Hyacinthe.
     
  • September 15: Loto-Québec launches the new Lotto 6/49. One guaranteed $1 million prize each draw.
     
  • October 16: Kinzo opens in Saint-Jérôme.
     
  • November 12: To mark its 35 anniversary, the Collection Loto-Québec launches its new cultural program, L’art de partager.
     
  • November 21: After four years of renovations and an investment of $305 million dollars, the Casino de Montréal inaugurates its new gaming and entertainment areas.
     
  • November 25: Loto-Québec launches Lotto Hockey, its fourth Quick Play game. The results of the game appear directly on the consumer screen at the end of the hockey animation (accuracy shots). A Lotto Hockey ticket is also good for the evening draw of Extra.
     
  • December 6: Kinzo Henri IV opens in Québec.

2014

  • May 5: Loto-Québec launches Roue de fortune Éclair, its fifth Quick Play game. The results of the game appear directly on the consumer screen at the end of the wheel animation (ball stops on a wheel’s segment associated with a prize). A Roue de fortune Éclair ticket is also good for a draw for a TV participation in the Roue de fortune chez vous!* televised show.
     
  • May 8: A new Kinzo hall comes to Sorel‑Tracy.
     
  • October 31: Kinzo opens in Rimouski.
     
  • October 31: ALÉA nightclub opens in Casino du Lac-Leamy.
     
  • November 17: Loto-Québec launches Tout ou rien.
     
  • December 8: The new online group tool allows players to create their own groups online or join existing groups. It is a first in Canada.
     
  • December 11: Grand opening of The Zone at the Casino de Montréal, a gaming area with 80 multi-game electronic terminals, a giant screen and emcees.

2015

  • February 10: Loto-Québec launches Expérience games, a new category of online lottery games.
     
  • April 27: Loto-Québec launches Plinko®, a new terminal-based Quick Play game. A Plinko® animation that takes place at time of purchase enables consumers to see live the result of the in-store game.
     
  • July 13: Wager closing time is extended to 10:30 pm for all draw lotteries.
     
  • July 17: A group wins the largest prize ever paid out by Loto-Québec: a $55 million Lotto Max jackpot.
     
  • August 24: Loto-Québec launches Eldorado, a new terminal-based Quick Play game.
     
  • September 3: The Casino de Montréal’s Cabaret reopens after being closed during the Casino’s 5-year major renovation project.
     
  • October 5: Launch of the new Lotto 6/49 express Expérience game.
     
  • October: Extra is added to scratch tickets.
     
  • November: Loto-Québec is establishing a unit that will focus on strategic business intelligence and innovation and act as a catalyst for the entire Corporation, thus benefitting all sectors. To that end, the Ingenio subsidiary has been dissolved.

2016

  • January: Mise-o-jeu begins offering wagers on American politics.
     
  • January to May: Loto-Québec opens claim centres for winners in all its gaming establishments.
     
  • March: La Mini, unchanged since 1970, is made available on terminals.
     
  • April: The Lottery sector launches a new distribution model for scratch tickets.
     
  • April to August : Simon Patenaude is appointed Acting President and Chief Executive Officer
     
  • May 30: Loto-Québec is launching a new way to play the popular lottery Lotto Poker. With the Lotto Poker Plus Quick Play game, players have a better chance of winning the constantly increasing progressive jackpot. A first for lottery fans!
     
  • June 14: For a third consecutive time, Loto-Québec has officially received the Responsible Gaming Framework’s Level 4 Certification from the World Lottery Association. This certification is valid until 2019.
     
  • August 6: Lynne Roiter is appointed Acting President and Chief Executive Officer of Loto-Québec.
     
  • September 29: Loto-Québec bequeaths Univers d'oiseaux, la volière de Mont-Tremblant—a mural by René Derouin—to the City of Mont-Tremblant and its residents.

 

  • October 3: Loto-Québec opens new offices at Fleur de Lys shopping centre in the Capitale-Nationale region, including a prize claims centre.
     
  • October 18: In collaboration with the other provincial lottery corporations, Loto-Québec launches Grande Vie.
     
  • December 7: L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon restaurant opens its doors at the Casino de Montréal.
     
  • December 19: A St-Hubert restaurant opens its door at the Casino de Charlevoix.

2017

  ↵

  • January 6: A group wins the largest prize ever paid out by Loto-Québec: a $60 million Lotto Max jackpot.
     
  • February 21: The Société des casinos du Québec enters into a partnership with the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec.

 

  • February 28: The Casino de Charlevoix launches its artistic journey of 45 works from Loto-Québec’s corporate collection.

 

  • March 30: The 20 prizes of $1,000,000 of the lottery 100 $ ultime are drawn. They were all claimed in the following days.
     
  • March 31: A record number of prizes totalling $1,000,000 or more were awarded to Quebecers during the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
     
  • April 10: Mise-o-jeu launches pari express, an easy way to play at gaming terminals.
     
  • May 31: Lynne Roiter is appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Loto-Québec.

 

  • December 6: An artistic journey is inaugurated at Casino du Lac-Leamy, showcasing more than 60 works by Québec artists like Jean-Paul Riopelle and David Altmejd.

 

  • December 31 : Loto-Québec’s 132 new millionaires made 2017 the luckiest year ever for Québec lottery players.

 

  • In 2017, Lotto 6/49 celebrated its 35th anniversary. The game awarded a total of 7.7 billion dollars to Quebecers over the years.

2018

  • April 19: The Casino de Montréal’s Bad Beat progressive jackpot of $1,669,422 is won. This jackpot sets a new record in North America.

 

  • June 8: The Lotto Max total prize offering hits a record amount of $112 million with a jackpot of $60 million and 52 million-dollar prizes.

 

  • June 19: An electric vehicle charging station is installed at the Salon de jeux de Trois-Rivières.

 

  • June 27: Guy Mongrain retires after 25 years of hosting the televised lottery La Poule aux œufs d’or.

 

  • October 12: In cooperation with the Casino de Charlevoix and the City of La Malbaie, Loto-Québec bequeaths Danielle April’s sculpture Un habitat forgé par le ciel to the residents of La Malbaie.

 

  • November 7: In cooperation with the City of Gatineau, Loto-Québec and the Casino du Lac-Leamy unveil Humanitude, a public work of art by Serge Olivier Fokoua, bequeathed to the residents of Gatineau.

 

2019

  • May 11: Changes to Lotto Max: With the addition of a draw on Tuesdays, the lottery moves to two draws a week, and increases its jackpot cap to $70 M.

 

  • June 17: Loto-Québec pays out the biggest jackpot in its history, i.e. $65M, to a Montréal family.

 

  • August: Betting on virtual sports games is made available on lotoquebec.com.

 

  • August 19: Loto-Québec launches Animo, the first scratch'n'text ticket.

 

  • October 26: The Casino de Charlevoix awards the largest jackpot ever, $1,196,769.

 

  • December 23: Loto-Québec marks its 50th anniversary.

 

2020

  • January 20: The Loterie mensuelle, a nod to Loto-Québec’s first lottery game—launched in 1970—goes on sale.

 

  • March: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Loto-Québec suspends all of its commercial operations, except online gaming.

 

  • May 4: Lottery sales resume at retail outlets.

 

  • June 23: A Global Lottery Monitoring System operational centre opens at Loto-Québec to monitor sports betting across North America.

 

  • July: Loto-Québec begins the gradual reopening of its establishments, the reactivation of its VLTs and the resumption of bingo and Kinzo after the COVID-19 lockdown.

 

  • September and October: Loto-Québec closes its establishments due to the pandemic and suspends a number of activities.

The Price Is Right and PLINKO: ®/© FremantleMedia Operations BV. 2015. All Rights Reserved.

2021 to today

2021

  • January: Loto-Québec is the first lottery corporation in the world to launch a scratch ticket printed on 100% recycled paper.

 

  • January 10: Presented during the pandemic, the Célébration Gala switches things up, with winners taking part in the event from their homes.

 

  • May 31: Jean-François Bergeron is appointed President and CEO.

 

  • June: Operations put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic gradually resume.

 

  • August 27: Thanks to an amendment to the Canadian Criminal Code, Loto-Québec now offers single event betting.

 

  • October 11: Loto-Québec launches its first charitable lottery game, Loto-o-suivant.

 

  • November 29: The Salon de jeux de Québec opens its doors at its new location at the Méga Centre Beauport.

2022

 

  • May: Loto-Québec rolls out the "100% Legal" ad campaign to raise awareness about the omnipresence of illegal gaming websites and to encourage the public to exercise caution.

 

  • June 7: Loto-Québec awards a $70,027,052 jackpot—the largest in its history—to a Montérégie resident.

 

  • June 29: Players on lotoquebec.com can now play on a slot machine that's physically located at the Casino de Montréal.

 

  • August 28: La Poule aux œufs d’or returns to TV for a 30th consecutive year.

 

  • September 21: The first draw of the new Lotto 6/49 is held, now with two grand prizes: the Classic Jackpot and the Gold Ball Jackpot (guaranteed prize).

 

  • November 17: The Casino du Lac-Leamy expands its entertainment offer by adding self-service terminals in its new sports betting room.

2023

  • January 20: A Casino de Montréal player wins $3,056,175—the biggest jackpot ever won at a Québec casino gaming table.
     
  • April 1: Players can now enter the 2nd Chance Promo with their scratch tickets every month.
     
  • April: Lottery players can now join bigger groups when they buy a Formule super groupe ticket, which allows up to 100 shares.
     
  • May 8: The “So That a Game Remains a Game” ad campaign reminds the public that Loto‑Québec offers responsible gambling tools, measures and programs.
     
  • September 27: For the first time since the launch of the new Lotto 6/49, the Gold Ball Jackpot hits $68 million.
     
  • October 9: The Casino de Montréal celebrates its 30th anniversary.

 

  • December 18: The World Lottery Association renews Loto-Québec’s Level 4 Responsible Gaming Certification, the highest certification of its kind. It attests to the corporation’s exemplary responsible gambling program and measures and its commitment to continuously improving them.

2024

  • February 20: Lottery prizes ranging from $600.01 to $24,999.99 can now be claimed online.
     
  • February 25: A record prize of $1,527,000 is won on the La Poule aux œufs d’or game show.
     

The Price Is Right and PLINKO: ®/© FremantleMedia Operations BV. 2015. All Rights Reserved.