The online poker scene in Ontario has changed drastically, with many poker players complaining of the quality and mainly the lack of players joining the poker rooms. So finding the best online poker sites in Ontario is these days a daunting task, considering the quality is not really there anymore.
However, we have done our best to collect the best online poker sites for players in Ontario, based on the availability of the rooms, the tournaments, the pool prices and cash bonuses.
If you reside outside of Ontario, please go to our guide to the best poker sites in Canada.
List of The Best Online Poker Sites in Ontario
- Wide range of betting options and casino games
- Generous bonuses and promotions for new customers
- Payment Methods: Gigadat, iDebit, Instadebit, Interac, Mastercard, Paysafecard, Visa
- Wide range of sports and casino games
- Fast Payouts available 24/7
- Payment Methods: ApplePay, Gigadat, iDebit, Instadebit, Interac, Mastercard, Paysafecard, Visa
- Generous welcome bonuses for casino players
- Fast Processing Withdrawal Times
- Wide variety of games and payments options.
- Geneours welcome bonus for casino
- Payment Methods: iDebit, Instadebit, Interac, Mastercard, Paysafecard, Visa
Context of The Online Poker in Ontario
Real money online poker officially launched in Ontario on April 4, 2022, with 888poker Ontario becoming the first licensed site to open its virtual doors. Since then, several other major industry players have joined the Ontario online poker market, creating a competitive and ever-evolving landscape.
Although there is a good amount of poker sites that have joined the Ontario poker scene, there is a lack of quality, mainly due to the context of the solely Ontario regulation.
How come? Well, online poker seems to be very lightly attended in Ontario, and considering the restriction on the pool price – you may only compete with players of the same province – there is low volume and tables are rather tight, with players playing 5 cents as it was 10 dollars. So high roller players find themselves frustrated over the quality of the rooms that you find in online poker in Ontario these days.
The Best Ontario Online Poker Sites in Detail
Currently, six active operators offer fully licensed online poker sites in Ontario, with more rooms working towards launching their Ontario-specific offerings. Let’s take a closer look at the top poker rooms:
1. PokerStars Ontario
PokerStars Ontario launched on June 28, quickly becoming one of the province’s best online poker rooms. Known for its impressive daily and weekly tournament schedule, PokerStars Ontario offers a wide variety of games, including No-Limit Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, and 8-Game.
- Games on Offer: MTTs, Cash Games, Spin & Go
- Apps: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
- Main Highlight: Best desktop platform & mobile apps
2. GGPoker Ontario (WSOP)
Powered by the famous GGPoker software and backed by the World Series of Poker, GGPoker Ontario offers a rich schedule of daily tournaments and busy cash game tables. The room’s standout feature is its ability to host online WSOP bracelet-awarding events, giving players in Ontario a chance to compete for prestigious poker trinkets.
- Games on Offer: MTTs, Cash Games, AoF, Spin & Gold
- Apps: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
- Main Highlight: Win online bracelets, powered by GGPoker software
3. BetMGM Poker Ontario
BetMGM Poker Ontario, powered by partypoker software, offers a full suite of popular game types. Together with partypoker and Bwin, BetMGM forms the first online poker network in Ontario, allowing players to access shared player pools and compete in various tournaments and cash games.
- Games on Offer: MTTs, Cash Games, SPINs
- Apps: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
- Main Highlight: Good value MTT schedule
4. 888poker Ontario
888poker Ontario was the first licensed operator to go live in the newly regulated Ontario market. The room offers a full selection of popular 888poker formats, attracting players with daily MTTs and ambitious guarantees.
- Games on Offer: MTTs, Cash Games, BLAST, SNAP
- Apps: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
- Main Highlight: Great range of cash game stakes
5. Partypoker Ontario
Partypoker Ontario operates as a standalone operator within the BetMGM Ontario Network, offering a great tournament schedule and a variety of cash games, including NLHE and PLO.
- Games on Offer: MTTs, Cash Games, Sit & Go
- Apps: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
- Main Highlight: Trusted industry name.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Ontario Poker Sites
The context of online poker in Ontario is rather special, and therefore the criteria for choosing the best online poker sites in this province are as well. We needed to adjust our parameters to the current regulation on the located pools and the low volume of players. We’re putting together the most important aspects that we advice you to consider when choosing an online poker site to play in Ontario
Tournaments Availability
Unless you are a cash player, you most likely enjoy playing online poker tournaments. In this regard, GGPoker Ontario is the one to recommend, considering it offers the best weekly schedule of events, with thousands in guaranteed prices.
Look for Sunday’s flagship tournaments like GGMaster and the Ontario Million$, they both have good value and the buy-ins are at a decent price too.
Apart from that, GGpoker ontario offers many satellites running all week that you can use as a second choice to get a cheap seat.
Additionally, this poker site offers series with high guarantees, like the microFestival and the Bounty Hunters Series. Without a doubt, GGPoker is the best poker site in Ontario for online tournaments.
Jackpots sit-and-go
All Ontario poker sites offer some variety of progressive jackpot sit-and-go, but PokerStars Ontario stands out as the premier destination for fans of these games.
Known as Spin and Go tournaments, these competitions allow participants to compete for rewards up to 5000 times their initial stake. The range of entry fees is decent, starting at a mere $0.50 and reaching up to $50, catering to a wide spectrum of players.
Additionally, the volume of players at Spin & Go tables is consistently high, particularly over weekends, ensuring short wait times for games to commence.
Rooms for non-experienced players
Not every player poker is a professional and that’s why at theoddscalculator.com we also have in mind newbies who want to find easy rooms.
The best online poker sites in Ontario for beginners are BetMGM and 888poker, both platforms have cash games and tournaments that are way easier and less concurred than at other poker sites such as PokerStars or GGPoker.
These two online poker sites still offer good quality poker software, but since their offer of tournaments and big cash prices is limited, you will find fewer professional players there, and therefore, it will be easier as a beginner to find a room where you feel more comfortable.
Online Poker’s Rooms Comparison in Ontario
| Feature | BetMGM/partypoker | 888poker | PokerStars | GGPoker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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’s Online Poker Regulators
When it comes to online Poker in Ontario, the industry is carefully regulated by two prominent agencies: the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), in charge of issuing licenses and permits for online poker sites in Ontario and iGaming Ontario (iGO), in charge o monitoring and evaluating the online poker sites performance and implementing responsible gambling programs for player protection.
In this regulated context in Ontario, Poker has become a segregated player pool that makes it harder to find exciting rooms due to the low volume of players.
Ontario’s Segregated Player Pool
One key aspect of Ontario’s online poker regulations is the requirement for a segregated player pool. The regulations specify that all play must be restricted to players physically located within Ontario’s borders, creating a ring-fenced market within the province. This means that players in Ontario can only play against other players within the province and cannot participate in shared liquidity with players from other jurisdictions.
Operators are expected to deploy products that cater exclusively to the Ontario market and ensure that their platforms and services are accessible only to players within the province. This measure aims to maintain the integrity of the market and protect Ontario players from unregulated and potentially risky offshore gambling sites.
FAQ about Online Poker in Ontario
Is Online Poker Legal in Ontario?
Do I Have to Be Physically Present in Ontario to Play Online Poker?
What is the Best Online Poker Room in Ontario?
Top Online Poker Rooms in Ontario:
- PokerStars
- GGPoker
- BetMGM Poker
- 888poker
- Partypoker
Does Ontario Share Player Pools with Other Provinces?
Are Ontario Online Poker Rooms Safe?
Are There Any Ontario Poker Apps?
Yes, the top online poker sites in Ontario offer apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, providing a seamless gaming experience for players on the go.
Can I Win WSOP Bracelets by Playing Online Poker in Ontario?
Are Ontario Online Poker Games Rigged?
Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, visit the National Council of Problem Gambling.
