Ontario is the most populous province in all of Canada, with more than 16 million residents, and the largest urban center in Toronto. In April 2022, Ontario became the first Canadian province to launch an open, regulated iGaming market for private operators, including online poker rooms. Appropriate gaming regulation was introduced, and online poker in Ontario became a reality, with several operators launching since day one.
If you want to play poker in Ontario and aren’t quite sure about how it works, you’ve come to the right place, as this guide aims to cover all the key concepts. We look into the legality of locally regulated and international poker sites, the way Ontario compares with other provinces, and the taxes and other rules Ontario poker players should know.
Is Online Poker Legal in Ontario?
Yes, online poker is legal in Ontario, as well as in the rest of Canada. However, there is a big difference between legal poker in Ontario and the other provinces, and it’s related to the way the sites are licensed. While Ontario offers access to locally licensed Ontario poker rooms, players in other provinces can only play at internationally licensed sites, which carry licenses from offshore gaming regulators in places like Anjouan and Curacao.
Offshore poker sites are not technically legal or licensed in Canada, but playing at such sites is not a crime, which is why many players from other provinces still play there. On the other hand, players in Ontario have access to fully licensed operators, and playing at offshore sites is not necessary, and can also be quite a bit riskier.
How Online Poker Works in Ontario
Regulated poker in Ontario was launched in 2022, as part of the greater iGaming launch, which also included regulated online casino sites. Since then, private operators must register with the AGCO and execute an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario before offering games to Ontario players. AGCO regulates the market, while iGaming Ontario commercially conducts and manages regulated iGaming.
Today, there are six legal poker operators in Ontario, with all six licenses held by major iGaming operators with a long history at the top of the industry. The most positive things for the players about having access to locally licensed sites include faster and smoother payment processing, completely trustworthy relationship with the operators, and a regulator they can address for any help they may need.
Legal Poker Sites in Ontario
There are six online poker rooms currently operating in Ontario through AGCO registration and an iGaming Ontario operating agreement. These operators can all offer their services to local players completely legally, and they all pay taxes to the Ontario government. These operators are:
- GGPoker Ontario: The world’s biggest poker site is available in Ontario as well. The locally licensed version offers some of the biggest poker tournaments in the province, along with plenty of cash game action. A valuable welcome bonus worth up to C$777 makes GGPoker a top pick for all Ontario players.
- PokerStars on FanDuel Ontario: PokerStars on FanDuel Ontario launched in June 2026 after Flutter Entertainment merged two of its top iGaming brands. The operator is already one of the leaders in Ontario, and offers massive prize pools and plenty of action across all stakes.
- BetMGM Poker Ontario: Powered by one of the biggest gaming operators in North America, BetMGM Poker is part of a larger poker network that also includes partypoker Ontario. The operators share their player pool, allowing them to organize larger tournaments and attract players across both sites.
- Partypoker Ontario: Partypoker is one of the oldest online poker brands in the world, and its platform now powers both partypoker Ontario and BetMGM Ontario. Large tournament series are the operator’s main target, while cash game traffic remains limited.
- 888poker Ontario: Another major international poker operator, 888poker had been offering services to Canadian players for years and quickly moved to get a license in Ontario when the iGaming market was launched. Yet, the site remains one of the smallest ones in the Ontario market today.
- bwin Ontario: bwin is another regulated online poker option available to players in Ontario. The brand is part of the same wider Entain-owned ecosystem as partypoker and BetMGM Poker, which means its poker traffic is tied to a shared local network rather than a standalone player pool.
If you are looking to play online poker in Ontario, it is highly recommended to sign up with one of these six licensed sites, as they are the only ones where you can play with no interference and deposit and cash out your funds via fiat payment options with no problems.
- GipsyTeam's unique promotions
- Help with deposits and cashouts
- Access to private freerolls
- Round-the-clock support
- Уникальные акции от GipsyTeam
- Помощь с депозитами и кешаутами
- Доступ в закрытые фрироллы
- Круглосуточная поддержка
Can You Play on International Poker Sites from Ontario?
Ever since the launch of the regulated poker market in Ontario, players have been asking the same question – am I still allowed to play on international poker sites? The answer to this question is somewhat complicated. Under the regulatory framework, only locally licensed operators are allowed to offer services in Ontario, and players should only play at such sites.
However, in practice, Ontarian players can still access a wide range of internationally licensed sites and play for real money without any fear of prosecution. Since the law mostly targets operators and game providers, players who decide to play on offshore sites are not directly affected. Offshore sites like CoinPoker, BCPoker, and Phenom Poker all accept Canadian action and offer crypto transactions to allow for smooth banking.
When it comes to playing on offshore platforms, this is a bit of a gray zone for the players, as it is technically not allowed, but in practice it does not incur any fees or penalties to the players.
Player Pools in Ontario
Regulated poker in Ontario has brought quite a few positive things, but also a few downsides. One of the biggest ones was the reduced player pools, as the ring-fenced market means Ontario players get to play with fewer other players on a daily basis. When playing at regulated sites, you will generally notice the traffic is significantly lower than it would be if you were playing on an international poker site. For example, you may find a few cash game tables at lower stakes at GGPoker Ontario, while the same stakes will offer hundreds of active tables on the international GGPoker platform.
The smaller player pools especially affect tournament players, who benefit greatly from higher liquidity. Since the player numbers are limited, the guaranteed prize pools at Ontario poker sites are also much smaller, even during major tournament series.
To address this issue, Ontario regulators have begun considering the idea of sharing their liquidity with other jurisdictions. One idea is to combine the Ontario and Alberta player pools, once Alberta online poker launches. Ontario has moved toward international shared liquidity: the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the proposed model in November 2025, but the matter is now before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Payments and Withdrawals in Ontario
One of the top perks of playing at licensed Ontario poker sites is the fact you can deposit and withdraw your funds using secure payment methods and have money going directly in and out of your bank account. Legally operated sites don’t require any intermediaries, although e-wallets like Skrill and NETELLER are still used by some players for an extra layer of protection and privacy.
Before being able to withdraw funds from your account, you will always have to verify your account if you play poker in Ontario. Account verification, also known as KYC verification, requires you to send copies or images of an ID card or passport, documents with a visible address, such as a utility bill, and payment method verification. In most cases, the account verification is completed in 12 – 24 hours, after which you are free to withdraw funds at will.
The most popular payment options offered at Ontario poker sites include:
- Interac E-Transfer: Interac is the most convenient and popular payment method in Ontario. All regulated operators offer this payment method, and most Canadian banks support it, allowing you to transfer funds directly from your bank account. Deposits are instant, while withdrawal can take up to 48 hours to clear.
- Visa/MasterCard: Visa and MasterCard are both accepted deposit methods at Ontario poker sites, and both offer instant deposits. MasterCard does not allow for withdrawals, but Visa withdrawals are processed within 48 hours.
- MuchBetter: MuchBetter is an e-wallet designed specifically for online gaming. It provides very fast deposits and withdrawals, low fees, and a convenient mobile app that makes online banking very simple.
- Skrill/NETELLER: Two of the most popular e-wallets in the world, both Skrill and NETELLER allow you to connect your bank accounts and credit cards, and move money between online poker sites and your balance with speed and competitive fees.
- Online Bank Transfer: A direct bank deposit is a payment method usually reserved for big transfers. Both deposits and withdrawals via this payment option can take up to a few days, which is why players usually only use it if transferring large sums of money at once.
Taxes on Online Poker in Ontario
When it comes to taxes, Ontario poker players have it good. For the vast majority of poker players in the province, online poker winnings are completely tax-free. You will get to keep 100% of your winnings as long as you are considered a recreational poker player, which is the case for most players.
The exception is when poker is no longer just a hobby and starts to look like a business. The CRA may look at factors such as how organized your play is, whether you use skill or special knowledge to reduce variance, how often you play, whether poker is a major source of income, and whether you treat it as a way to earn a living.
If your poker activity is considered a business, your net poker income is reported as self-employed business income. There is no separate “poker tax form.” Players normally report this income on their annual T1 Income Tax and Benefit Return and complete Form T2125, Statement of Business or Professional Activities, to calculate gross income, eligible expenses, and net profit or loss.
Ontario residents can usually file online through CRA-certified tax software using NETFILE. If filing on paper, the completed T1 package and Form T2125 are mailed to the CRA tax centre assigned to the player’s area of Ontario. Self-employed filers generally have until June 15 to file, but any balance owing is still due by April 30. Players who may fall into the professional category should keep detailed records of sessions, buy-ins, cashouts, deposits, withdrawals, travel, software, coaching, and other poker-related expenses for at least six years in case the CRA asks for documentation.
The short answer, however, is that players in Ontario don’t pay taxes on their poker winnings unless they are explicitly poker professionals with no other job or major income in their lives.
Pros and Cons of Playing in Ontario
If you are considering playing online poker in Ontario, whether professionally or recreationally, here is a quick list of pros and cons to consider before you sign up:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Licensed poker sites are safe to play at and all outcomes are completely random | Smaller player pool compared to international poker sites |
| Deposits and withdrawals via popular fiat options like Interac E-Transfer, Visa, and MasterCard | Smaller tournament guarantees |
| Gameplay, deposits, and withdrawals in CAD | Mandatory identity verification |
| Satellites for local live poker events | No crypto deposits and withdrawals |
| Reliable local customer support agents | Can’t play while traveling due to geolocation restrictions |
| Tax free poker winnings | |
| Responsible gambling tools | |
| A gaming regulator to help you with any concerns |
Overall, online poker in Ontario is a strong option for players who value safety, local regulation, and convenient CAD payments. The province’s licensed poker sites provide a more transparent playing environment than offshore alternatives, with reliable banking, mandatory identity checks, and responsible gambling protections.
The main trade-off is liquidity: Ontario players often face smaller player pools and tournament guarantees than those available on international platforms. As the market develops, especially with possible shared liquidity in the future, regulated Ontario poker could become even more attractive for both recreational and serious players.