Québec's casinos have grown considerably over the years, and today, they welcome over 10.8 million visitors each year.

In December 1992, the Québec cabinet approved and authorized the construction of two government-run casinos: one on Île Notre-Dame, in Montréal, and the other at Pointe-au-Pic in the Charlevoix region.

The creation and management of these government-run casinos was entrusted to Loto-Québec, which subsequently created three subsidiaries: the Société des casinos du Québec, given the responsibility of building the casinos and overseeing their operation, Resto-Casino, which operates the restaurants and bars at the three casinos, and Casiloc, which is in charge of acquiring, building and overseeing the casino facilities.

In June 2008, Québec's Casinos decided to merge the management operations of Resto-Casino with those of the casinos themselves. The objective was twofold: to align the business plan objectives and strategies for all the establishments, and to increase the synergy and complementarity of the group's casino, food service and hotel operations.

History of the Casino de Montréal

Located in the former Expo'67 French Pavilion (Pavillon de la France), the Casino de Montréal was inaugurated on October 9, 1993. At the time, it housed 65 gaming tables and 1,200 slot machines. The casino was an instant success, with average daily visitor numbers reaching the 12,000 mark.

The casino was expanded for the first time in 1994 and again in 1996, when it took over the former Québec Pavilion.

Major renovations began in the fall of 2009. This investment of $305.7 million over the next four years will allow the Casino to maintain its ranking in the competitive North American market.

Among the world's largest casinos, the Casino de Montréal provides five floors of gaming, each more exciting than the last, and is one of the city's star attractions.

The Casino de Montréal features:

• more than 120 gaming tables, including 18 Texas Hold'em poker tables, more than 3,000 slot machines and 1 electronic Texas Hold'em poker table
• four restaurants
• an elegant reception hall

Since 1997, the casino is open day and night, and currently welcomes some 17,800 visitors a day.

In 2003, the Casino de Montréal celebrated its 10th anniversary. Have a look at our Photo Album (HTML, FLASH), a retrospective of the milestones in the casino's history.

History of the Casino de Charlevoix

Inaugurated on June 24, 1994, the Casino de Charlevoix was established in the Manoir Richelieu's former summer playhouse on the cliffs of Pointe-au-Pic, a panoramic site visited by vacationers for over a century.

The Casino de Charlevoix quickly became a veritable economic driver for the region and one of Charlevoix's biggest attractions.

In 1998, Loto-Québec teamed up with Canadian Pacific Hotels and the Solidarity Fund QFL to acquire Manoir Richelieu (now called Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu), renovate it and expand the Casino de Charlevoix.

Reopening in June 1999, the complex has since become a world-class resort. The Casino de Charlevoix also became the first of Québec's casinos to be linked to a hotel.

In 2009, the Casino celebrated its 15th anniversary in its newly expanded facilities.

The Casino de Charlevoix houses more than 25 gaming tables, including 10 traditional poker tables, 950 slot machines, two bars and a scenic view of the Saint Lawrence River.

History of the Casino du Lac-Leamy

The Casino du Lac-Leamy was the first of Québec's casinos to be built from the ground up. It was inaugurated on March 24, 1996.

During the 2000-2001 fiscal year, the Société des casinos du Québec launched a major $210 million expansion project with the aim of expanding the casino, building a 350-room luxury hotel (the Hilton Lac-Leamy), conference centre and performance hall. The Hilton Lac-Leamy hotel and Le Théâtre du Casino opened their doors in the fall of 2001.

In 2009, the Théâtre du Casino underwent renovations transforming it into a multipurpose venue.

The casino houses close to 60 gaming tables, including 9 Texas Hold'em poker tables, more than 1,800 slot machines, as well as three restaurants, two bars and two reception halls.

History of the Casino de Mont-Tremblant

On April 13, 2008, were officially announced plans for the creation of the Casino de Mont Tremblant.

Inaugurated June 24, 2009, the Casino de Mont-Tremblant is an upscale establishment located in a stunning natural setting. Thanks to the choice of natural materials, such as water, stone, wood, leather and suede in warm and intense colours, this casino is a world in itself.

The casino's three floors house a large and distinctive assortment of games, featuring 500 slot machines, 16 gaming tables with croupiers and 3 Texas Hold'em poker tables. The casino also includes a large high-rollers section, two private lounges, catering services and a 125-seat bar.