Espacejeux: a guide to Loto-Québec's online casino
Espacejeux is Loto-Québec's online gaming platform: casino, slots, OK POKER, lotteries and sports betting through Mise-o-jeu+, all under one account. It is the only state-run online casino in Quebec. This guide explains who can sign up, how the account is verified, deposits, withdrawals, the mandatory limits and what the terms say when a game malfunctions.
Who can open an account
Under the specific conditions of use (articles 2.1 and 4.1) you must:
- be 18 or older;
- live in Quebec;
- be physically in Quebec when you play;
- not be enrolled in the self-exclusion program or subject to a banned-access order.
The FAQ adds that only one registration is allowed per person and that no credit card is needed to open the account. A player who moves out of Quebec must close the account; the FAQ points Ontario and British Columbia residents to their own provincial sites.
Registration and identity checks
Registration asks for a personal email address, phone number, date of birth, address and occupation. Espacejeux then checks your name, postal address and date of birth with Equifax. If that fails, two options remain:
- Interac Verification Service, through your online banking;
- uploading two documents, for example a health insurance card and a utility bill, or a passport and a driver's licence.
Accepted files are PDF, JPG, PNG, JPEG or PJPEG. The FAQ says the account should open in "less than 10 minutes" ("moins de 10 minutes").
Geolocation
You must be in Quebec every time you log in. The site checks your IP address or the device's location, and if location services are off, access can be blocked. On an iPhone, turn them on in Settings, Privacy, Location Services; on Android, in Settings, Location. If you are in Quebec and still blocked, customer service (1 866 611-LOTO) can validate your IP address.
For how Espacejeux differs from private sites that accept Quebec players, see our comparison of Loto-Québec vs offshore casinos.
Deposits
The minimum deposit is $20 for most methods.
| Method | Speed | Fees | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa, Mastercard, American Express credit card | Instant | Possible issuer fees | Prepaid, business, Capital One and MBNA cards refused |
| Visa or Mastercard debit | Instant | None | |
| Interac e-Transfer | Fast, often under one minute | None | Desjardins and Laurentian Bank not supported |
| Interac Online | Instant | None | TD Canada Trust only |
| Argent Web coupon | Instant | None | Coupons from $10 to $100, maximum $500 per week |
| Bill payment | 3 to 5 business days | None |
You can save up to three cards. The maximum deposit depends on your weekly limit. To compare these options with other sites, read our guide to the best payment methods for Quebec players.
Withdrawals
Withdrawals are made only through the website, to a personal bank account (chequing or savings, individual or joint) in the same name as the Espacejeux account.
- Minimum: article 6.2.2 sets the minimum withdrawal to a bank account at $10.
- Timing: article 6.2.2 sets "a minimum delay of 24 hours" ("un délai minimum de 24 heures") for any request, and the FAQ gives a normal delay of 3 to 5 business days.
- No online banking: you can send a personalized void cheque; validation takes about five business days.
- $100,000 or more: under article 6.2.3 the client must come in person, by appointment, with ID (health insurance card, driver's licence or passport).
The mandatory deposit limit
Unlike most private sites, Espacejeux makes a deposit limit compulsory for everyone. The FAQ says it plainly: "Cette limite est obligatoire pour tous" (this limit is mandatory for all).
- It covers seven days, Sunday to Saturday.
- Under article 6.1.2 it ranges from $25 to $9,999 per week.
- A decrease applies right away; an increase takes effect 24 hours after it is processed, and the FAQ says it can only be raised once a week.
Breaks and self-exclusion are managed in the account. Article 11.1 states that a self-exclusion is irrevocable for its term. For help, Loto-Québec points to its Bien jouer site and to Aide Jeu (1 800 461-0140).
The games
One account gives access to:
- Casino: slots, table games and live casino. The slots page lists more than 1,300 titles, in free and paid versions. See our guide to Espacejeux slots.
- Poker: OK POKER and its app, covered in our Loto-Québec poker guide.
- Sports betting: Mise-o-jeu+, as a web app; see our Mise-o-jeu review.
- Lotteries: online purchase through the Loteries app. Our guide to Quotidienne 3 covers the nightly digit games.
The site runs on recent versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge, on Windows 8.1 and later, iOS, and Android 7.0 and later. Most games work on phones, but not all.
When a game malfunctions
Article 7.1.5 provides that if the site or a game fails, no bet gives a right to a prize, but the stake is refunded if the problem was not caused by the client. Article 7.1.6 lets Loto-Québec refuse a bet and set limits on the amounts wagered. Each game's result is decided at random as soon as you press "jouer", and each game lasts at least three seconds.
Inactive accounts
Under article 6.4.5, an account not used for 36 consecutive months may be closed, with the balance refunded using the information on file. If you stop playing, withdraw your balance first.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Access blocked while you are in Quebec | Location services turned off | Turn them on; otherwise call 1 866 611-LOTO to have your IP address validated |
| Identity check refused | Equifax data does not match your registration | Use Interac Verification Service or upload two documents |
| Interac e-Transfer fails | Account at Desjardins or Laurentian Bank | Use a debit card, an Argent Web coupon or bill payment |
| Card refused | Prepaid, business, Capital One or MBNA card | Use another card or method |
| Withdrawal blocked | Bank account name differs from the Espacejeux account | Register a bank account in your exact name |
| Deposit refused | Weekly limit reached | Wait for the next Sunday or raise the limit (effective after 24 hours) |
If your account is suspended or under review, article 6.2.2 excludes withdrawals until the review ends. Keep your emails and screenshots, and note the date and time of each call.
Espacejeux at a glance
| Item | Espacejeux |
|---|---|
| Operator | Loto-Québec, a Crown corporation |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Minimum deposit | $20 ($10 coupons) |
| Minimum withdrawal | $10 |
| Withdrawal time | 3 to 5 business days (24 h minimum) |
| Deposit limit | Mandatory, $25 to $9,999 per week |
| Large withdrawals | $100,000 and up in person |
| Inactivity | Possible closure after 36 months |
For the legal framework of online gambling in Quebec, read is online gambling legal in Quebec?
Sources
Key terms
- KYC (know your customer)
- Know your customer ("vérification d'identité"): the casino checking you're really you, usually with ID, a selfie and a bill with your address.
- Deposit limit
- A cap ("limite de dépôt") you pick for how much money can go into one casino account in a day, a week or a month.
- Self-exclusion
- A ban you put on yourself ("autoexclusion") to stop gambling at one site, or at every licensed site in a region, for a set time.
- Cooling-off period
- A short break you put on yourself ("pause" or "période de réflexion"), from 24 hours to a few weeks. You can't cancel it early.
- Withdrawal limit
- The smallest and biggest amount ("limite de retrait") a casino lets you cash out at once, or over a day, week or month.