Poker players in Ontario, Canada’s biggest province, have been seeing a lot of talk about PokerStars on FanDuel in recent weeks, and the news has caused quite a bit of confusion. The new poker site is the product of a merger between two of the most recognizable online gaming brands in Canada, both owned by the same parent company. If you are looking to learn how to play PokerStars on FanDuel, this short guide will answer all your questions, from the origin of the new poker site to your FanDuel PokerStars login.
What Is FanDuel and Who Owns It?
FanDuel is one of the most recognizable online sports betting and daily fantasy sports platforms in North America. Originally launched as a daily fantasy sports site, FanDuel expanded into the sports betting market after the US Supreme Court struck down the controversial PASPA law in 2018, and quickly grew in size and reach over the years.
That same year, FanDuel was acquired by Flutter Entertainment, a massive international gaming conglomerate based in Dublin, Ireland. Flutter purchased the controlling stake in the company in 2018, and bought out the rest of the shares in the following years, now owning FanDuel in full. Today, FanDuel is among the biggest online gaming operators in North America and is fully owned by Flutter Entertainment. The brand continues to offer online sports betting and daily fantasy competitions, and the recent merger with PokerStars has allowed it to break into the online poker space for the first time in its history as well.
How Are FanDuel, PokerStars, and Flutter Connected?
FanDuel and PokerStars are both online gaming brands owned by Flutter Entertainment. While many poker fans are wondering did FanDuel buy PokerStars, the answer is a bit more complicated. Since both brands are owned by Flutter, the company simply decided to merge them by building a new brand known as PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel.
So, when is PokerStars moving to FanDuel? The FanDuel Ontario PokerStars integration has already happened, as the two platforms were merged in early June 2026. Since then, poker players in Ontario have had access to PokerStars on FanDuel, where online poker players can enjoy playing their favorite games under FanDuel’s recognizable brand.
Does FanDuel Canada Offer Online Poker?
So can you play poker on FanDuel Canada? The answer is, quite simply, yes! As of June 2026, you can play online poker on FanDuel Canada, as long as you live or reside in Ontario. While other Canadian provinces don’t have access to the new platform just yet (Alberta launch is expected in July), Ontario players can enjoy the full scope of the new platform already.
Since the two brands have been fully merged now, some players in Ontario are asking where PokerStars is found on FanDuel. To access PokerStars on FanDuel, all you need to do is visit the FanDuel website or download the app, and you will get full access to the new product through the FanDuel platform.
What Is Happening to PokerStars in North America?
Ever since the launch of regulated online poker markets in North America, PokerStars has been one of the most widespread brands in this niche. Yet, most recently, Flutter Entertainment has been on a major campaign to merge the PokerStars brand with FanDuel, in order to cross-sell its products to sports bettors and poker players alike.
According to PokerStars representatives, the idea behind merging the two powerhouse brands is to create a new product that’s even bigger than the sum of its parts. PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel has already launched in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ontario, with a further rollout in Alberta coming soon. The expansion of the new brand has quickly created one of the fastest-growing and biggest online poker networks in North America.
It is important to understand that players in Ontario cannot join the player pool with those in the US, as the regulation does not currently allow it, but the player pools of Ontario and Alberta may be allowed to merge in the near future.
How Is Ontario Different from the Rest of Canada?
While most Canadian provinces have historically restricted online gambling, Ontario was the first one to fully regulate it and allow operators to get licensed to provide online gambling services. Online sports betting, casino games, and poker are all fully regulated in Canada’s most populous province, with iGaming Ontario and AGCO overseeing the regulation.
Ontario’s iGaming market was launched in 2022, and ever since then, dozens of iGaming brands and companies have been freely operating in it. Flutter’s brands like FanDuel and PokerStars have been a major part of the market since day one, and their recent merger is simply an extension of the existing business practices.
While players in other Canadian provinces are forced to look for international poker sites that will accept their action, Ontario residents can play at fully regulated local sites with licenses issued within the province.
Alternatives for Canadian Poker Players
The new FanDuel PokerStars app is now available to players in Ontario, but if you are still looking for alternatives, there are quite a few sites that accept Canadian players these days, which are not restricted to a single province. The top options include:
- BCPoker: An international poker platform with a soft player pool, a 10% instant welcome bonus, and a powerful crypto casino platform behind it, BCPoker is a top alternative for players who are looking for maximum value through easy-to-beat poker tables.
- CoinPoker: One of the most popular crypto poker sites today, CoinPoker is a fast-expanding poker platform with a large player pool, poker tournaments with significant guarantees, and a generous 150% welcome bonus up to $2,000 for new players.
- RedStar Poker: A long-standing poker site and part of the iPoker network, RedStar Poker attracts players with an attractive rakeback program, significant player pool, and a powerful poker platform that’s been a staple of the online poker industry for years.
- 1win Poker: Powered by a major sports betting operator, 1win Poker is a relatively new poker room with limited traffic but a lot of soft games. Deposits and cashouts are processed in crypto, making it very easy for players to access the games from all Canadian provinces.
- WPT Global: A poker brand that’s been around since 2022 and is powered by one of the leading live poker tours in the world, WPT Global is one of the top alternatives to locally licensed poker sites. A large player field, satellites to live WPT events, and a comprehensive welcome bonus package are among its most attractive features.
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FAQ
Does FanDuel have online poker?
Yes, FanDuel now has online poker for players in Ontario and regulated US markets via PokerStars on FanDuel, the new platform created by Flutter Entertainment.
Are PokerStars and FanDuel the same company?
PokerStars and FanDuel are two iGaming brands owned by Flutter Entertainment, a major international gaming company. The two brands have historically operated as standalone entities, but were merged by Flutter in 2026 across a number of markets.
Is PokerStars leaving Canada?
No, PokerStars is not leaving Canada. In Ontario, the PokerStars brand is now offered through PokerStars Exclusive on FanDuel. In the rest of Canada, players can still access the international PokerStars platform.
How many states is FanDuel legal in?
FanDuel is legal as a sports betting operator in quite a few states in the US. When it comes to online poker, however, the new PokerStars on FanDuel platform is only legal in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania in the US, and Ontario in Canada.