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No More Casinos Open in Quebec – Gambling Under Lockdown
COVID-19 prevention was a priority for the Canadian government going into 2020. It introduced the use of masks and social distancing to reduce the spread. However, things only took a more drastic turn over the months. With cases rising to more than 10,000 per day, the decision was made to close all manner of non-essential businesses to the public.
Unfortunately, this also included all casinos in Quebec, as well as the myriad of smaller gaming and bingo halls littered throughout the state. Based on the Quebec gambling laws, the entire QC gambling scene is a government-run monopoly. Therefore, it was fairly straightforward for the closure orders to be issued. Loto-Quebec closed down all of its locations in March 2020.
The Casinos in Quebec Slowly Open
The measures were gradually lifted, though occupancy was only allowed in a reduced capacity. Moreover, personal protection equipment was obligatory for staff and visitors, including social distance measures. It was not a perfect solution, but a solution nonetheless.
By June 30, 2021, all four major casinos in Quebec were open, and players could come in and play. Of course, all measures had to be strictly followed. In December 2021, it was quickly becoming apparent that the relaxed regime was not as effective, and new measures were being planned. Eventually, Quebec casinos were forced to shut down again in the interest of public health.
In February 2022, the government once again announced that it would be relaxing measures. Casinos in Quebec would be allowed to operate but only up to 50% capacity. Moreover, vaccination passes and masks were mandatory for both staff and visitors.
Are Casinos in Quebec Open Now
So far, all four Quebec casinos have remained open since February 2022. You can visit any of them freely, provided that you meet the necessary COVID-prevention requirements.
| 🎲 Quebec Casino | 👆 Status (as of September 2022) |
|---|---|
| Casino de Montreal | Open |
| Fairmont Le Manoir Richeliue & Casino de Charlevoix | Open |
| Hilton et Casino du Lac – Leamy | Open |
| Casino de Mont-Tremblant | Open |
As for winter 2022, it’s difficult to say with certainty whether new stricter measures will be imposed on the industry. However, it doesn’t look like it. So far, COVID-19 infection rates have remained low. In fact, more measures have been removed as the year has passed, making life easy for everyone. So far, things look optimistic, and we expect that no lockdown will be introduced this time around.
Quebec Online Casinos – An Alternative to Land-Based Venues
If you don’t feel like visiting any of the available land-based casinos in Quebec, don’t worry, you still have options at your disposal. The online gambling scene has picked up the slack during the lockdowns and offers an incredible substitute for traditional casino gaming. The best online casinos in Quebec are prepared to provide you with a worthwhile gambling experience, all from the comfort of your home.
Modern gaming sites are fully capable of rivalling land-based Quebec casinos in terms of quality. Each QC online casino features hundreds of unique slots, and you will also find a broad selection of table games and live dealer titles. Here is a list of casinos games you can play online:
- 🎰 Slots
- ♠ Blackjack
- ♦ Baccarat
- 🎲 Craps
- 🎡 Roulette
- ♣ Casino Poker
- 🎥 Live Casino Games
There is an incredible variety for each of these genres, allowing you to play exactly what you want. What’s more, the games work flawlessly on many different systems. You can even play on the go using your smartphone.
Of course, you won’t miss out on any benefits either. QC casinos regularly make an appearance on our list of the best casino bonuses in CA. You will be able to claim promotions from the moment you create an account. Welcome offers are available from the get-go, while reload bonuses are sure to come in down the line.
Getting Started at QC Online Casinos
The thing about online gambling is that you never have to ask the question ‘Are casinos open in Quebec?’ ever again. You don’t have to worry whether your slots will disappear one day. What’s more, getting started is quite simple. Here are our tips for finding the right QC online casino for you:
- Pick an operator from our list of the best online casinos in Quebec
- Check out the available slots and table games
- See if you like the welcome bonus, paying attention to the terms and conditions
- Open an account and enter the necessary info
- Select an online payment method to make your deposit
- Complete the payment and claim your welcome bonus
- Choose a game and start playing
It’s quite a straightforward process, and you will have no issues getting started. Having thousands of different games in the palm of your hand is quite convenient. What’s more, you don’t have to wear a mask or show proof of vaccination while spinning the reels on your couch.
Conclusion and Outlook for the Future
The pandemic has proven disastrous for the Quebec gambling scene. For almost two years, QC gamblers couldn’t fully enjoy any land-based gaming. Now that restrictions have loosened and there are open casinos in Quebec, we can breathe a collective sigh of relief. At least for the time being. While things don’t look too drastic just yet, nobody knows how the pandemic will play out. Let’s just hope that the question ‘Are Quebec casinos open?’ won’t pop up again in a couple of months.
Popular Questions
There has been much misconception about the lockdown situation with Quebec casinos. To clear things up, we have prepared a short FAQ for your convenience. We include only the most important questions along with clear and easy answers.
