Top Online Poker Sites in Ontario & Canada 2025
Online poker is booming in Ontario and around Canada! Did you know that Ontario alone had over 1.2 million active player accounts by the end of 2023? Players wagered a whopping $17.2 billion that year, generating about $658 million in revenue from online gambling. Just poker itself accounted for $431 million in wagers and brought in $17 million in revenue. These numbers show just how popular and lucrative online poker is in the province right now. Plus, big events like the World Series of Poker Circuit in Toronto drew over 5,000 entries and awarded more than $5.5 million in prizes in 2024. It’s clear that poker isn’t just a game here; it’s a big part of the entertainment scene.
Ontario stands out as one of the top regulated online gambling markets in North America. Over the first three years since legalizing regulated play in April 2022, Ontario generated $5.22 billion in total online gaming revenue, placing it second only to Michigan. This shows Ontario’s strong and fast-growing market, with over 50 operators and more than 80 gambling platforms active. BetMGM leads the pack as the market leader. However, about 16% of Ontarians still gamble on unregulated sites, so there’s room for growth as regulation continues to improve player protections.
The Canadian online poker market is also expanding at a steady pace. It grows at about 8.5% annually, with Ontario contributing 52% of all regulated market revenue in Canada—talk about dominating the scene! Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are hotspots for online poker play. The market is benefiting from advancements in technology such as AI and data analytics, which help sites offer better, more personalized gaming experiences. Players enjoy diverse options from classic Texas Hold’em to exciting new poker variants, all delivered on safe, easy-to-use platforms.
Playing online poker in Ontario and Canada comes with some quirks too. For example, local live poker rooms in Toronto are known for charging high rake fees—up to 10% capped at $20 per hand—even at lower stakes. This means many players prefer online play where fees are lower and the action never stops. Plus, there’s an interesting legal development underway: Ontario is seeking court approval to join international online poker pools, possibly allowing Ontario players to compete with those in the U.S. and Europe. This would mean bigger player pools and more exciting games for everyone involved. The decision is still pending, but it shows Ontario wants to keep evolving and improving its poker market.
In short, Ontario and Canada as a whole offer some of the best online poker experiences around. With millions of players, billions wagered each year, top-notch online options like PokerStars, GGPoker, and 888poker, and a growing regulated environment, it’s a great time to join the action. Whether you’re a casual player or a serious competitor, there are plenty of choices and opportunities to thrive in Canada’s vibrant online poker world.
FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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