Best Online Poker Sites in Ontario
An independent guide to legal, regulated online poker sites in Ontario, comparing player traffic, tournament series, online poker apps, and more, across all regulated operators.
Online poker players in Ontario can choose from some of the world’s leading operators who set up shop in the province, offering top software, best mobile apps, and plenty of action around the clock.
- Our #1 rated online poker room in Ontario
- Home to ONCOOP.
- State-of-the-art software.
- Great daily MTT schedule.
- Play for WSOP bracelets online.
- Quality tournament schedule.
- Best software & mobile app.
- One of the leaders in North America.
- Great range of cash game stakes.
- Quality MTT series with big guarantees.
- Fully licensed in Ontario.
- Quality fresh software.
- Good action around the clock.
- Modern poker platform.
- Good range of cash game stakes.
- Nice MTT schedule.
Ontario’s regulated online poker market has the largest player pool of any regulated North American jurisdiction, with a provincial population of nearly 15 million — about 2 million more than Pennsylvania and about 5 million more than Great Lakes neighbor Michigan.
Regulated online poker in Ontario officially went live on April 4, 2022, with 888poker Ontario becoming the first licensed site to open its virtual doors.
The Ontario online poker market is ever-changing, with several operators online thus far, but more are in the wings with launches pending and awaiting final licensure. Some of the biggest names in the industry have set up shop in Ontario, and in this Guide to Online Poker in Ontario, we will give you all the information you need to know about the market’s current state and who is in it, including expert reviews of the top rooms, in-depth poker app analysis, answer questions about shared liquidity, and much more.
| Best Online Poker Sites in Ontario | |
|---|---|
| WSOP ON | Our rating: 4.8 |
| BetMGM Poker ON | Our rating: 4.6 |
| PokerStars ON | Our rating: 4.5 |
The Best Ontario Online Poker Operators
Currently, players looking to play online poker in Ontario on fully licensed sites can do so on one of the six active operators in the regulated Ontario online poker market, with more rooms working towards launching their Ontario-specific offerings.
Here is a quick look at the current market.
PokerStars Ontario
PokerStars launched its Ontario-exclusive poker room on June 28, nearly three months after the first Ontario online poker rooms went live.
Having waited until the right moment, it did not take long for PokerStars Ontario to become the best online poker room in the province, offering its top-notch desktop software and mobile apps and much more beyond that.
If there is one thing that PokerStars is known for, it is their impressive daily and weekly tournament schedule, and this is true in every market they operate in.
PokerStars Ontario came hot out of the gate, wasting no time in running its inaugural tournament series — the Ontario Platinum Series — which, despite some overlays, was still a solid success. This was soon followed by the first-ever Ontario Championship of Online Poker (ONCOOP), which was a great success,
One of the other big upsides of PokerStars is that they offer tournaments in poker games other than No-Limit Hold’em, with a variety of Omaha, Stud, 8-Game, and other tournaments also on the schedule.
PokerStars Ontario features the following game types and formats:
- NLHE & PLO Cash Games (NL/PLO2 to NL/PLO10,000)
- 6+ Hold’em cash tables ($0.02 to $5 big blind/ante)
- Sit & Go
- Tempest
- Tournaments
- Spin & Go Jackpot Sit & Go ($0.25 up to $100)
Download the PokerStars Ontario app or head to our complete PokerStars Ontario Review to learn about everything this leading poker room has to offer »
| PokerStars Ontario: Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Games on Offer | MTTs, Cash Games, Spin & Go |
| Apps | Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android |
| Main Highlight | Best desktop platform & mobile apps |
- Excellent tournament schedule
- The best variety of game types
- #1 Rated online poker room in Ontario by pokerfuse.com
WSOP Ontario
Although the last poker room to actually go live in the province, WSOP Ontario is also one of the best picks for the players in the province. Backed by the World Series of Poker and powered by the GGPoker software, this platform brings all the elements required for an enjoyable gaming experience, for recreational and professional players alike.
The rich schedule of daily tournaments and busy cash game tables ensure plenty of action for players across the board, from those with small bankrolls to serious professionals looking to play higher stakes and compete in big guaranteed events.
But the real differential that sets WSOP Ontario apart from the rest is the ability to host online WSOP bracelet-awarding events. With the arrival of WSOP ON, players in this Canadian province now have an opportunity to compete for the coveted poker trinkets from the comfort of their homes.
WSOP Ontario offers:
- NLHE & PLO Cash Games (NL/PLO2 to NL/PLO2000)
- Tournaments (including ring and bracelet events)
- Spin & Gold Jackpot Sit & Go ($0.25 up to $50)
Download the GG-powered WSOP.ca app or all about what this global poker leader has to offer Ontarians in our detailed WSOP Ontario Review »
| WSOP Ontario: Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Games on Offer | MTTs, Cash Games, AoF, Spin & Gold |
| Apps | Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android |
| Main Highlight | Win online bracelets, powered by GGPoker software |
BetMGM Poker Ontario
BetMGM Poker Ontario, powered by partypoker software, is also live with a full suite of popular game types. Ontario players who played on partypoker’s global client will see a familiar interface at BetMGM Poker Ontario.
partypoker Ontario and bwin both launched their skins in Ontario on April 12, offering the same interface and games as BetMGM Poker Ontario, but with partypoker and bwin branding. Similar to their shared network in New Jersey, partypoker, bwin, and BetMGM all share a player pool, creating the first online poker network in Ontario, the BetMGM Poker Ontario Network.
BetMGM has also come out of the gates with an impressive-looking schedule of tournaments in Ontario. It promises the Daily C-Note every night a $109 buy-in tournament starting at 7:05 pm local time. There will also be a High Roller tournament every Tuesday and Thursday, beginning simultaneously with a $530 buy-in.
Its Super Sunday tournament schedule looks solid, with 12 tournaments kicking off at five past the hour, from 3:05 pm to 8:05 pm, including PKOs, a $55 Sunday Masters, and a $530 High Roller. However, at the time of writing, none of BetMGM’s MTTs have run. It could be that it’s waiting for partypoker to join the party and pool players before kicking things off.
Ontario players on the BetMGM Poker Ontario Network have access to:
- Cash Games
- Fast Forward
- Freerolls
- Sit & Go’s
- Spins
- Tournaments
Download the BetMGM Poker Ontario app, and jump into the action or learn more about this room in our BetMGM Poker Ontario Review »
| BetMGM Poker Ontario: Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Games on Offer | MTTs, Cash Games, SPINs |
| Apps | Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android |
| Main Highlight | Good value MTT schedule |
- One of the biggest names in online poker
- Wide scope of cash game stakes
- Quality MTT schedule year around
888poker Ontario
888poker Ontario was the first licensed operator to go live and start dealing with real money online poker in the newly regulated Ontario market. It was also the first and only operator to launch all three verticals on day one. 888 expects to build on an already strong presence in Canada by being one of the first Ontario-specific poker rooms.
888poker Ontario got off the ground immediately with a full-service application offering a full selection of popular 888poker formats. The interface will be familiar to people moving over from the 888poker global client. 888 kicked things off in full 888 style, running daily MTTs with ambitious guarantees from day one, which led to a lot of players enjoying a lot of value thanks to huge overlays.
888 also boasts of being the only operator with a local Ontarian as a brand ambassador. Ontario-based streamer Adam “iamEklo” Tocholke was one of the founding members of the 888poker StreamTeam. He had already been streaming live from the newly launched 888 Ontario poker room on his Twitch channel.
The poker formats available at 888poker Ontario are:
- BLAST
- SNAP
- Cash Games
- Freerolls
- Tournaments
Download the 888poker app or head to our comprehensive 888poker Ontario Review to learn about all the features 888 has to offer »
| 888poker Ontario: Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Games on Offer | MTTs, Cash Games, BLAST, SNAP |
| Apps | Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android |
| Main Highlight | Great range of cash game stakes |
- Top quality software for desktop & mobile
- Exciting BLAST Poker tournaments
- MTT series with big guarantees
Partypoker Ontario
Partypoker Ontario is a part of the network that includes BetMGM Poker ON and bwin poker ON, but it is a standalone operator with its own games and promotions.
The room uses the tried and tested partypoker software and features a great tournament schedule. Being a part of this network, partypoker ON is able to offer some big series with significant guarantees, which gives players a lot of reason to join.
You will find the following games and formats available on the site:
- NLHE & PLO Cash Games (NL/PLO5 to NL/PLO5000)
- Tournaments
- Sit & Go
- Fast Forward (NL10 to NL200)
- Spins – Jackpot Sit & Go ($1 up to $50)
Download the partypoker Ontario app and get into some tournament action or check out our partypoker Ontario Review to learn more about this interesting member of the BetMGM Ontario Poker Network »
| Partypoker Ontario: Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Games on Offer | MTTs, Cash Games, Sit & Go |
| Apps | Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android |
| Main Highlight | Trusted industry name |
- Trusted brand now fully licensed in Ontario, Canada
- Modern & versatile desktop platform
- Top quality mobile apps
bet365 Ontario
While bet365 has both of the required licenses and was one of the first operators out of the gate, deploying its casino and sportsbook operations when the market went live, the operator did not launch a poker client in its first offerings.
Ontario Poker at a Glance
| Operator | Launch Date |
|---|---|
| 888poker | Launched on April 4, 2022 |
| Bet365 | Launched on April 4, 2022, without poker |
| BetMGM/partypoker/bwin | BetMGM Launched April 5; partypoker & bwin launched April 12, 2022 |
| PokerStars | Launched June 28, 2022 |
| GGPoker/WSOP | Launched on Sep 30, 2022 |
Comparison of Active Online Poker Rooms in Ontario
| Feature | BetMGM/partypoker | 888poker | PokerStars | WSOP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | NL10 to NL2500 | NL2 to NL5000 PLO2 to PLO500 | NL2 to NL10,000 PLO5 to PLO10,000 | NL2 to NL2000 PLO2 to PLO2000 |
| Fast-Fold | NL 10 to NL 200 | NL2 to NL25 PLO2 and PLO10 | NL5 to NL200 PLO5 to PLO200 | N/A |
| SNG | $1 to $100 Hypers, 6-max and Heads-Up | None | $0.50 to $200 Hypers, 6-max, KO, and HU | N/A |
| Lottery SNGs | $1, $5, $10 (no Ultra) | 10c, $1, $5, $10, $20 | $1, $2, $5, $10, $25, $100 | $0.25, $1, $5, $20, $50 |
| MTTs | Minimal MTT schedule deployed | Full guaranteed MTT schedule | Quality MTT Schedule | Bracelet & ring events |
Ontario Online Poker: Key Facts
Ontario’s Online Gambling Regulators
At first glance, regulation in Ontario seems a bit confusing, with two agencies prominently mentioned. The main regulatory body for gambling in Ontario is the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Still, there is also iGaming Ontario (iGO), a subsidiary of the AGCO that manages the private entities regulated in the Ontario iGaming market.
One key point for Ontario is that the iGO is restricted to “conducting and managing” the online gaming of private entities in the market. The existing, government-controlled Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) does not fall under the watch of iGO, though OLG does not have a poker component.
Real Money Poker in Ontario
This market is in flux, but two networks and six poker rooms are currently dealing with real money online poker in a regulated environment. First, we have 888poker Ontario — the first Ontario poker site to go live — and then we have the three sites that comprise the BetMGM Ontario Network — BetMGM Poker Ontario, partypoker Ontario, and bwin Ontario. Then, we have PokerStars Ontario, the latecomer of the group, finally launching at the very end of June. All five have Ontario online poker apps and software available for download and offer an evolving schedule.
The latest addition to the regulated market is WSOP Ontario. Powered by the famous GGPoker software and backed by arguably the greatest poker brand out there, WSOP ON gives players another great option. Most importantly, the operator offers bracelet-awarding online events, which makes them stand out from the rest.
Ontario’s Segregated Player Pool
The regulations in Ontario specify that all play be restricted to players within the province and, for poker operators, that means a segregated player pool. Operators will need to deploy products that serve only the Ontario market. Still, there is a grace period in regulations for licensed operators that have begun the licensing process but are not ready for launch.
Rather than forcing those operators to cease operations in Ontario pending the launch of their market-specific offerings — which would have created a blackout period and potentially pushed more customers to risky offshore sites — the regulators decreed that operators could continue letting Ontario players play in their global markets, so long as they had begun the licensing process and were actively working towards a launch of their licensed and regulated Ontario poker rooms. However, they are expected to transition to a ring-fenced Ontario player pool as quickly as possible.
It is possible this could all change in the future. The Ontario regulators have considered “inter-jurisdictional compacts”. Canada already has such a compact, allowing players in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Québec to play against each other via IGT software.
While the commercial component of Ontario makes it unlikely it will join that compact in its current form — and the other three provinces do not have any commercial operators — it shows that there is potentially an inclination to share liquidity across Canada.
While only operational within Ontario borders, BetMGM, partypoker, and bwin have linked up their player pools, creating the first three-skin network in the province.
Shared Liquidity
The elephant in the province of Ontario’s private regulation scheme is shared liquidity. As a result of provincial regulation of gambling in Canada, only the Ontario local government can regulate gambling for Ontarians, and it can only regulate for Ontarians.
The Ring-Fenced Ontario Poker Market
As a result of such regulation, the Ontario internet gaming regime was deployed as a geofenced jurisdiction, where operators are expected to restrict their users to people physically located within Ontario’s borders. While some licensed operators still deal poker to Ontarians through their global player pools, that is a time-limited accommodation for operators actively working on a discrete Ontario-only version.
As geofenced markets in North America go, Ontario is very attractive. With almost 15 million people, Ontario is the largest single regulated jurisdiction in North America, capping the previous king-of-the-hill Pennsylvania with about 13 million residents.
That means, even without shared liquidity, Ontario is still an attractive market in the context of North American regulated jurisdictions. However, online poker is particularly sensitive to the player pool’s size, compared to casino gaming or sports betting activities, so online poker operators in Ontario will almost certainly be looking to expand that pool through inter-jurisdictional compacts if regulations allow.
- Excellent tournament schedule
- The best variety of game types
- #1 Rated online poker room in Ontario by pokerfuse.com
Shared Liquidity in Canada
For the time being, shared liquidity in Canada is not part of the plan. However, it is not outside the realms of possibility. A couple of similar pacts have already been formed in North America, with the MSIGA creating a multi-state player pool between NJ, NV, DE, and MI that WSOP.com already takes advantage of. With the recent addition of Ontario’s neighbor Michigan to the MSIGA, that makes a stronger case for other jurisdictions to also look towards shared liquidity.
Additionally, Canada has its shared player pool between British Columbia, Manitoba, and Québec, creating a market of around 14.7 million people — slightly smaller than Ontario on its own. Ontario regulators have considered “inter-jurisdictional compacts”, but it seems unlikely it would join the existing Canadian compact as there are fundamental differences between the markets.
State-owned Canada Poker Operators
| Province | Population | Site | Online Poker? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 14.6 million | OLG | No |
| British Columbia | 5.1 million | PlayNow.com | Yes |
| Manitoba | 1.4 million | PlayNow.com | Yes |
| Loto Québec | 8.5 million | LotoQuebec.com | Yes |
The existing BC/MB/QC Canadian online poker compact serves players via government-controlled gaming monopolies in the three provinces, and none of them have any penetration by private entities. In Ontario, the existence of private companies in the market means it would not be an easy fit into a compact with no private competition.
It is important to note that, unlike in the United States, international poker sites continue to cater to the Canadian market outside of Ontario. The current legal environment is such that it allows for offshore poker rooms to accept players from Canada without breaking any laws.
While the situation in the country has often been described as a “grey market,” it seems likely that Canadians outside of Ontario will continue to enjoy the benefits of international platforms, where they can play not just with other compatriots, but also players from all over the world.
This could change when and if other provinces decide to follow in Ontario footsteps, passing their own regulations for commercial operators, requiring them to obtain local licenses.
- Trusted brand now fully licensed in Ontario, Canada
- Modern & versatile desktop platform
- Top quality mobile apps
FAQ
Is Online Poker Legal in Ontario?
Yes, online poker is legal and regulated in Ontario. The regulated online gambling market went live in April 2022, and players in the province have had legal options for playing real money poker online ever since. However, it is only legal to play on the sites that are licensed and regulated by the iGO.
Do I Have to Be Physically Present in Ontario to Play Online Poker?
Yes, Ontario requires all players to be physically present within its borders* to access Ontario-licensed sites. You will need to allow geolocation tracking on your device before accessing an Ontario poker site so that the operator can make sure you are in compliance with this request.
What is the Best Online Poker Room in Ontario?
Top Online Poker Rooms in Ontario:
Does Ontario Share Player Pools with Other Provinces?
No. Currently, Ontario operates as a segregated market, fully ring-fenced from the rest of Canada, so Ontario online poker players can only play against other Ontario online poker players.
Are Ontario Online Poker Rooms Safe?
Yes. All legally-operating poker rooms in Ontario are safe to play at. These operators are licensed and regulated by the iGO and are subject to strict rules and regulations to ensure the integrity and fairness of the games. They also use advanced security measures to protect player information and funds, including the use of encryption technology and secure servers.
Are There Any Ontario Poker Apps?
Yes. The PokerStars Ontario app and the WSOP Ontario app, powered by GGPoker, are two of the finest gaming platforms in the world. BetMGM Poker, 888, and partypoker also provide top-notch apps with sleek designs, good functionality, and plenty of games to choose from.
Can I Win WSOP Bracelets by Playing Online Poker in Ontario?
Yes! WSOP Ontario hosted its first online bracelet event in October 2022, giving players in the province their first shot at winning some of that coveted gold bling from the comfort of their own homes.
WSOP Ontario also brought its gold ring-awarding Online Circuit Series to Ontario, kicking off the first edition in October 2022, immediately after the site launched.
Are Ontario Online Poker Games Rigged?
No, Ontario has strict regulations in place to ensure that all online poker games are fair and honest for players. The iGO oversees the licensing and regulation of all online poker sites operating in the state. They conduct regular audits and inspections of the software and systems used by these sites to ensure that they are operating fairly and that all games are random and unbiased. Additionally, the use of advanced technology and encryption methods are used to secure players’ data and funds, making sure that the players are protected.
Latest Ontario Online Poker News
Ontario, Here Comes SCOOP, PokerStars’ Spring Championship Series!
The inaugural ONSCOOP series guarantees over CAD $1.8 million spread over 129 tournaments over two weeks on PokerStars Ontario.
More than $1 Million Won in Bounty Builder Series on PokerStars Ontario
The recent Bounty Builder Series on PokerStars Ontario was almost 50% bigger than the pre-series expectations.
Eighteen Gold Rings Up for Grabs on WSOP Ontario This March
The World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) online edition hits Ontario in March with 18 Gold Ring events across the 2023 Spring Circuit Series on WSOP.ca.
PokerStars Ontario: Spin & Go vs. Spin & Go Flash – Which Is Better?
PokerStars Ontario offers two formats of their popular Spin & Go games, but which one should you go for?
Enjoy the Card Squeeze Feature Exclusively at WSOP Ontario
WSOP Ontario adds suspense to your poker sessions allowing you to “squeeze” your hole cards as well as key turn and river cards.
Understanding Straddle & No-Look All-In Features at WSOP Ontario
Learn how to use the “straddle” and “no-look all-in” features at WSOP Ontario to pump up the action and add excitement to your cash games.
Use SmartHUD on WSOP Ontario to Boost Your Play
Unique tools and features like SmartHUD help separate WSOP Ontario from the competition.
WSOP Ontario Offers First Integrated Staking Platform in Ontario
Sell your tournament action at a markup or buy other players’ action using the WSOP Ontario modern staking platform.
WSOP Ontario’s Exclusive Bubble Protection Helps Reduce the Tilt
Avoid the bubble pain on WSOP Ontario with Bubble Protection. To ensure you are eligible for the protection, make sure to register early.
Play Four-Hand All-In or Fold Poker Exclusively at WSOP Ontario
With just four players and only two options, AoF Poker is the most exciting format in the real money online poker scene, and it’s only at WSOP Ontario.