Best Online Poker Sites Canada 2025: Top Legal Platforms
The following is a detailed, data-rich, and example-illustrated blog post on the best online poker sites in Canada and Ontario for 2025.
Ultimate Guide to Best Online Poker Sites in Canada and Ontario
Canada’s online poker scene in 2025 stands robust and diverse, featuring multiple reputable platforms that cater to all levels of players, from novices to seasoned professionals. The opening of Ontario’s regulated online poker market in 2022 marked a significant shift, allowing residents to play on licensed, legal sites with secure deposits and regulated player pools. This guide dives deep into the standout poker sites, their offerings, and pertinent market data to inform Canadian and Ontario players seeking the best online poker experience this year.
Leading Online Poker Sites in Canada
PokerStars Canada
PokerStars remains the unquestioned market leader in Canada, with a vast player base and a full slate of game varieties. It is renowned for its Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) series, which in 2025 offered an impressive CAD 2.25 million guaranteed prize pool across 44 unique events exclusively for Ontario players, attracting 39,011 entrants and awarding over CAD 2.6 million in prize money during the SCOOP duration from March 21 to April 7. The tournament buy-ins ranged from as low as CAD 5 up to high-stakes levels of CAD 2,500, catering to every bankroll. Notably, players could qualify for big buy-in events through satellites starting at just CAD 1, making high-level play more accessible. Some winners, such as Bobby “dusty truth” Winger, claimed multiple SCOOP titles, showcasing the fierce competition and attractive rewards of PokerStars’ offerings. The platform features an extensive variety of poker formats including No Limit Hold’em (NLHE), Pot Limit Omaha (PLO), HORSE, and more exotic games like Badugi and 2-7 Single Draw. It also hosts the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), with a 2025 prize pool exceeding $65 million in guarantees across numerous events. This combination of high traffic, diverse games, and world-class tournament series makes PokerStars a premier destination for Canadian players.
GGPoker Canada
GGPoker has rapidly cemented itself as a top contender in the Canadian market by offering innovative game formats and robust tournament options. Its signature games such as Flip & Go, All-In or Fold, and Rush & Cash have broadened the appeal beyond traditional poker, providing fast-paced play suited to modern players. The platform hosts large guaranteed tournaments like GGMasters and MILLION$, attracting both recreational and professional players. Daniel Negreanu, a prominent Canadian poker ambassador, helps boost trust and attraction. GGPoker supports Canadian dollars for deposits and withdrawals and is available on mobile and desktop, delivering a seamless user experience.
888Poker Canada
888Poker is notable for pioneering the fast-fold Snap Poker format in Canada, which allows players to fold a hand instantly and be dealt into a new one, increasing hands per hour and action pace. Besides Snap Poker, they offer classics like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, and a full competition calendar with regular freerolls and satellite tournaments. The site is known for beginner-friendly promotions alongside opportunities for seasoned players to compete in progressive knockout tournaments (PKOs) and other formats. Their mobile app experience is highly rated, providing flexibility for players on the go.
PartyPoker Canada
PartyPoker blends an easy-to-navigate user interface with a competitive tournament schedule. It offers a wide mix of cash games and major multi-table tournaments (MTTs) with frequent freerolls and deposit bonuses that appeal to casual and serious players alike. Their mobile platform boosts player engagement, supported by a solid software engine offering smooth gameplay. PartyPoker also promotes charity tournaments and community events that enhance player loyalty and interaction.
WPT Global Canada
WPT Global leverages the prestige of the World Poker Tour brand, delivering an authentic and competitive online poker environment. Its offerings include Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and Short Deck games, alongside exclusive WPT tournaments and qualifiers for live WPT events. This site focuses on competitive, high-stakes play and features various promotional leaderboards and seasonal events designed to keep the player base engaged. WPT Global is a favorite among players seeking a bridge between online and live tournament circuits.
Ontario’s Regulated Online Poker Market
Since April 4, 2022, Ontario operates a regulated online poker market featuring ring-fenced player pools strictly for residents, ensuring legal compliance and the use of Canadian dollars for transactions. The regulated operators currently include:
- PokerStars Ontario
- 888poker Ontario
- PartyPoker Ontario
- GGPoker Ontario (offering WSOP-branded content)
These sites are licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario (iGO), guaranteeing the highest standards in player protection, security, and fair play. Ontario’s legal gambling age is 19 years, aligning with the broader Canadian regulatory framework.
The provincial market has shown impressive growth, with Ontario contributing over CAD 7 billion in lifetime net gaming revenue as of 2025 and showing a 129% market growth over three years. In 2023/24 alone, Ontario generated CAD 2.2 billion in net gaming revenue from over CAD 63 billion in wagers, providing a strong ecosystem for poker and other gambling activities. The open market allows internationally recognized operators to compete, increasing player choice and innovation.
How to Choose the Right Poker Site
Choosing the best online poker site depends on several factors:
- Game Selection: Sites like PokerStars and GGPoker offer the widest variety, including exotic poker variants. Others like 888Poker excel in fast-paced formats (Snap Poker).
- Player Volume: High traffic ensures tables are always available and fields have competitive depth. PokerStars, for example, routinely attracts tens of thousands of players in tournament series.
- Bonuses and Promotions: Look for competitive welcome bonuses, regular freerolls, satellite opportunities for big events, and cashback or rakeback deals.
- Security and Legitimacy: Opt for licensed sites compliant with provincial regulations, especially in Ontario, where licensing means added consumer protection.
- Payment Options: Canadian dollars support is essential to avoid currency conversion fees. Check for convenient deposit and withdrawal options such as e-wallets, credit cards, and bank transfers.
- Software Quality: Platforms should offer smooth, glitch-free software with good mobile compatibility. PokerStars and GGPoker are leaders here.
- Customer Service: Responsive and accessible support is critical for resolving issues quickly.
Conclusion
Online poker in Canada and particularly Ontario in 2025 offers a world-class experience with diverse and secure platforms designed for every type of player. PokerStars stands out with its deep tournament schedules and enormous prize pools, offering competitive events like SCOOP and WCOOP. GGPoker attracts players with innovative formats and top-tier promotions, while 888Poker and PartyPoker provide excellent alternatives for fast action and community-oriented play. The regulated Ontario market ensures players have legal, safe options backed by government oversight.
Players should evaluate their needs based on game preferences, bankroll, and trust in the platform. With this guide, Canadian poker fans can confidently select from the best poker sites, enjoy thrilling play, and compete for life-changing prizes in a secure environment in 2025.
This comprehensive guide covers market data, tournament examples, and features of leading sites to provide detailed insights for Canadian and Ontario poker players this year.
FAQ
Can You Play World Poker Tour (WPT) in Canada?
Playing the World Poker Tour (WPT) in Canada is currently possible but with specific limitations and evolving legal considerations. ClubWPT Gold, a sweepstakes-style poker platform affiliated with WPT, has been preparing to launch officially in Canada in 2025, aimed at replacing the void left by Global Poker’s recent exit from the Canadian market. Initially, ClubWPT Gold was open for pre-registration to Canadians (excluding Quebec), but legal advice delayed their full participation in games or tournaments. However, recent developments and statements from the platform hint at a rollout “later this year,” potentially filling the gap for Canadian players who seek legal online poker options. This platform uses a subscription-based, sweepstakes model which is legal under Canadian law and allows players to win cash and prizes without gambling with real money directly. This approach differentiates ClubWPT from traditional online gambling and positions it as a compliant option for Canadian residents intending to play WPT-style poker online.
Will Ontario Poker Players Rejoin the Global Market in 2025?
Will Ontario Poker Players Rejoin the Global Market? Ontario’s online poker market is at a pivotal crossroads as of 2025, with significant discussions around whether its players will rejoin the global poker scene. Since Ontario launched a regulated, ring-fenced online poker market in April 2022, players have only been allowed to compete against others physically located within the province. This closed liquidity approach has created a mixed landscape where the market enjoys some benefits but also faces clear limitations. Ontario poker operators generated C$6.3 million in revenue in May 2025, marking a 19% year-over-year growth, suggesting healthy local activity despite market limitations. However, poker accounts for only 1.8% of the overall C$7.5 billion gamblers wagered in Ontario’s online casino and sportsbook sectors in July 2025, signaling room for growth if liquidity expands.
Is WPT Global Poker Available in Ontario?
WPT Global poker is available across much of Canada, but due to Ontario’s provincial legislation, players from Ontario are blocked from accessing the platform. Ontario has a regulated online poker market that requires operators to obtain a local license and comply with strict rules, such as ring-fencing player pools so that Ontario residents compete only against other Ontario-located players. Since WPT Global operates under an international license from Curaçao and does not have an Ontario-specific license, Ontario players cannot legally use WPT Global to play poker. Instead, Ontario residents must use provincially licensed platforms like GGPoker Ontario or 888poker Ontario to participate in online poker, including the WPT World Championship events.
How Much Does It Cost to Play in the World Poker Tour (WPT) 2025?
Playing in the World Poker Tour (WPT) in 2025 involves varying costs depending on the specific tournament and level of competition. The flagship event for the WPT is the highly prestigious WPT World Championship held at Wynn Las Vegas, which features a buy-in of $10,400. This event typically runs from mid-December for about a week and attracts thousands of players globally. To enter, players pay this buy-in which covers their seat in the tournament. For instance, in the previous year, the tournament had 2,392 entries with a total prize pool of over $23 million, and the winner, Scott Stewart, took home over $2.5 million. Besides the main event, the WPT World Championship festival features 78 tournaments spread across three weeks, with buy-ins ranging from a minimum of $600 for lower-tier events to as high as $25,800 for high roller tournaments. These tournaments include various formats like No Limit Hold’em, PLO Mystery Bounty, Mixed Games, and Seniors events, providing options for all kinds of players from amateurs to professionals.
Poker Global Ontario - The best online poker site in Ontario, Toronto, Canada. Poker offers online poker and casino games in Montreal also.
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