International Contests: Changes to Quebec’s Registration Regime
This summer, Quebec legislature amended previous Régie des alcools des courses et des jeux (“Régie”) registration to no longer require international contests to be registered in Quebec. Prior, Quebec was the only Canadian jurisdiction which required contests open to Quebec residents, with prizing worth more than $100, to register with the Régie. Registration was accompanied by a non-refundable fee, calculated at 0.5% of the total prize value and post-contest filings including disclosures of the winner’s personal information and obligations to post security with the Régie for high value prizes. As a result, many contest hosts would avoid Quebec eligibility entirely.
In practice, this amendment means that provided that an international contest is also open to entrants from outside of Canada, international contests open to Quebec residents can operate without Régie registration. However, the former requirements still apply to contests that are only open in Canada.
However, while this change represents movement for some international contests, those which hold clear ties to Quebec may still fall under the Régie’s jurisdiction. For example, the former regulations may apply regardless of international eligibility to circumstances where contests are entered into during in-person events, held in Quebec, or where the contest’s host’s primary commercial interests are based within Quebec. Further, it is critical to note that Quebec’s French language laws have not changed, and mandate that contest rules, advertising, and entry platforms must be in French for the Quebec market.
If you have any questions on international contests or a related topic, please do not hesitate to contact us at +1 604-629-5400 or via email at [email protected]
Disclaimer
***The above blog post is provided for informational purposes only and has not been tailored to your specific circumstances. This blog post does not constitute legal advice or other professional advice and may not be relied upon as such.**
