Top Ontario Online Poker Sites & Market Insights 2025
Online poker in Ontario is thriving as a regulated and legal market since its launch in April 2022. The province’s online poker sector is regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and operated through iGaming Ontario (iGO), ensuring secure, fair, and responsible gaming environments for players aged 19 and older. Major operators like PokerStars Ontario, GGPoker Ontario, BetMGM Poker, 888poker, and PartyPoker Ontario dominate the market, offering robust poker platforms with features such as cash games, Sit & Gos, and multi-table tournaments. For example, the Ontario Championship of Online Poker (ONCOOP) hosted by PokerStars draws thousands of participants and offers millions in guaranteed prize pools, including popular formats such as No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha. The period between 2023 and 2025 has seen steady growth in player engagement and revenue, with monthly poker revenues reported at approximately C$6.3 million in May 2025, marking a 19% year-over-year increase. The available platforms provide both desktop and mobile applications, ensuring players can enjoy seamless online poker experiences anytime, anywhere in the province.
Ontario’s online poker market is part of a broader flourishing iGaming ecosystem that experienced a significant surge in 2024, with gross gaming revenue rising about 32.5% year-over-year in Q3 2024 to $22.7 billion in total wagers across all iGaming verticals. Online poker accounted for around C$418 million in wagers as part of the province’s overall gaming activity during that time. Although the market had a slight decline in early 2025 due to seasonal and economic factors—such as post-holiday player activity drops and increased competition from offshore sites with higher bonuses—player accounts continued to grow. February 2025 saw a rise in monthly active accounts compared to January, reflecting ongoing interest despite a modest dip in average revenue per player. To address competitive pressures, operators have enhanced loyalty programs, marketing efforts emphasizing responsible gambling, and introduced innovative game features to retain and attract players. This dynamic environment reflects Ontario’s capability to sustain player engagement through evolving platform offerings and strategic market adaptations.
Ontario holds a distinguished position in the North American regulated online gambling landscape, becoming the second-largest market behind Michigan within its first three years. From April 2022 through early 2025, Ontario generated roughly $5.2 billion in total gaming revenue, with $1.29 billion stemming from sports betting and about $3.8 billion from online casino games. While online poker revenue is comparatively smaller within the province’s total volume, the market continues to grow. Ontario operates with more than 50 licensed operators on over 80 gambling platforms. Despite strong numbers, around 16% of Ontarians reportedly still gamble on unregulated sites, indicating potential growth opportunities for regulated platforms. Ontario’s success has become a blueprint for other Canadian provinces like Alberta, which plans to regulate its online gambling market similarly. This regulatory framework combines consumer protection with robust commercial competition, fostering a mature online poker market with international-quality gameplay and tournament experiences for Ontario residents.
Market data from 2025 also reflects the growing sophistication and scale of Ontario’s online poker economy. In July 2025, the total wagers in Ontario reached approximately C$7.5 billion, with poker making up about 1.8% of that figure. The increasing adoption of mobile poker has helped boost accessibility and player interaction, with emerging technologies and mobile applications driving user engagement. The monthly revenues and player statistics indicate a healthy upward trajectory for the online poker sector, with efforts underway to innovate via advanced data analytics, AI-driven player tools, and tournament structures that appeal to both recreational and professional players. The continuous regulatory oversight and promotion of responsible gaming behaviors further contribute to a trustworthy, sustainable online poker environment. These factors combined suggest that Ontario will maintain its position as a premier online poker destination in Canada and potentially expand its market share in the coming years.
FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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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