The launch of Quebec’s Lotto 6/49 has been postponed due to a labor dispute.
Workers of Loto-Québec, the provincial lottery operator, have initiated an indefinite work stoppage, delaying the relaunch of the national lottery in Quebec.
The industrial action was initiated by the Syndicat des professionnelles et professionnels du gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ), a public sector union, after negotiations between the parties failed.
Loto-Québec released a statement on its website, accusing the employees represented by the SPGQ of using “pressure tactics.”
While union leaders and government negotiators reached a preliminary agreement on August 25, the deal was rejected by SPGQ members in a vote.
Loto-Québec stated it could not guarantee a smooth launch due to the strike and therefore decided to postpone the lottery’s rollout.
As a result, Lotto 6/49 operations will be halted after the September 10 draw until further notice.
From September 11, validation of Lotto 6/49 tickets will not be possible at retail locations or through the operator’s mobile application. Loto-Québec advised ticket holders in a statement to keep their tickets until the situation is resolved.
A public statement released on September 7th by Lydia Matel, the second-in-command at SPGQ, underscored the significance of the workforce at Loto-Quebec.
Matel stressed that the internal knowledge base of Loto-Quebec is critical to guaranteeing the public’s access to essential services. She emphasized that the government-owned entity cannot afford to lose its expertise, as this would deprive the government of a vital source of income.
Matel also observed that it is the knowledge of Loto-Quebec employees that enables the company to combat illicit gambling websites by providing safe and dependable products to the public, thereby diverting funds that would otherwise end up in the hands of organized crime back to the government.
Sign up for the iGaming newsletter.