Operating Licenses

All retailers must obtain a license from the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) before being able to operate video lotteries at their sites.

For a seventh consecutive year, the RACJ has suspended the issuance of operating licenses for video lottery sites. In effect since September 10, 2008, the current moratorium will remain in force until September 9, 2009.

In the event of a change of ownership at an establishment equipped with video lottery terminals (VLTs), the retailer must follow the administrative procedure stipulated by the Société des loteries vidéo du Québec and the requirements imposed by the RACJ.

Change of Ownership

As such, when there is a change of ownership at an establishment offering VLTs, it is the new owner’s responsibility to take the necessary measures to obtain temporary operating authorization from the Régie. Such authorization is usually issued within a period of seven days.

A retailer who wishes to terminate his agreement must also notify the SLVQ at least seven days in advance of his intention to leave and of the actual change of ownership.

Upon signing the VLT installation and operation agreement, the new retailer must present the SLVQ representative with a photocopy of his temporary operation authorization. The representative will then verify if the information in the two documents matches. If the retailer has not obtained his temporary operation authorization, the SLVQ cannot sign the agreement with him, and the establishment’s VLTs will be deactivated and eventually removed.

Change of Bank Account

The SLVQ requires that weekly withdrawals be made from a bank account that is linked to the holder of the site’s operating license (store, owner or authorized signatory). Thus, in the event of a change of ownership, the request for a change of bank account must be made when the agreement is signed by the new proprietor. A two-week interval is needed to process a change of bank account.