Online poker in Ontario has been legal and regulated since April 4, 2022. Use our shortlist to find the best poker sites in Ontario that offer plenty of poker variants, tournaments and more. Each poker site is licensed, regulated and perfect for players in Canada.
We only ever recommend the best Ontario poker and casino sites. Our team of experts use a comprehensive 25-step rating process to ensure that only the best of the best make it to our shortlist. If we think a casino isn't worth playing at, we add it to our list of online gaming sites to avoid.
Ontario poker online first came to the province on April 4, 2022, following the passing of laws to legalize and regulate online gambling services. Since then, some of the biggest names in the online poker industry have set up shop in Ontario. Each is under the regulation of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and its subsidiary, iGaming Ontario.
Before Ontario online poker became regulated, the province was an unregulated “grey” market. This means there were no laws at all, either criminalizing or legalizing online gambling. Still, internationally-licensed poker sites could offer their services to people in the province. However, thanks to its new regulated industry, Ontario has become a unique market in Canada.
Online poker rooms are open to all residents and visitors in Ontario, provided they are aged 19 or over and physically present in the province. All legal gambling sites in Ontario must hold a license with the AGCO and feature a link to iGaming Ontario on their homepage. For players, this is hugely important because it means legal operators provide a safe gaming environment that meets strict regulatory and player safety standards.
Yes, online poker in Ontario has been legal and regulated since April 4, 2022. Any poker site or app that holds an iGaming Ontario licence is fully regulated and safe to play at. Some of the biggest and most respected poker brands operate in Ontario including 888, PartyPoker and PokerStars.
The regulation of online poker has always been a provincial issue, and there are no clear Ontario gambling laws that prohibit Canadians from playing. However, Ontario was the first province in Canada to launch its own clearly regulated online poker market. Rest assured, online poker in Ontario is fully permitted in the province. All players need to do is prove that they are physically located in Ontario using a casino's GeoLocation software.
✅Status | Legal |
🗓️Date launched | April 4 , 2022 |
🃏Best Ontario poker site | 888 |
✔️Regulated by | AGCO & iGaming Ontario |
888 Poker is one of the largest and most respected online poker casinos in Ontario. The brand has over 20 years of experience and ticks all of the right boxes with players. We love 888Poker for its range of software providers, easy sign-up process, and range of poker tables to join. Rest assured, 888Poker is widely regarded as one of the best Ontario online poker casinos.
Learn more in our 888 Ontario casino review.
📅Tournaments | Yes |
🃏Popular poker games | Hold'em, Omaha, Stud & more |
📱Poker app | Yes |
✅AGCO License | Yes |
Back in 2022, WSOP and GGPoker joined forces to create WSOP @ GGPoker — a unique poker site only available to players in Ontario. Any poker fan will be very familiar with WSOP and its strong legacy. Today, the online casino is a go-to destination for poker fans and offers a range of online tournaments as well as mixed games, short deck games and more. It's hard not to recommend them as a top Ontario poker site.
📅Tournaments | Yes |
🃏Popular poker games | Omaha, Texas Hold'em, No Limit Hold'em & more |
📱Poker app | Yes |
✅AGCO License | Yes |
PartyPoker is another fully licenced and legal Ontario poker operator. Over the years, this online casino has made a real reputation for itself. Players in Ontario like the brand in particular for its multi-skin network that comprises a player pool from BetMGM Poker and bwin Ontario. The result? You get round-the-clock poker action, bigger poker tournaments and even bigger prize pools. We highly recommend PartyPoker for Ontario poker fanatics.
📅Tournaments | Yes |
🃏Popular poker games | Short Deck, Omaha, Texas Hold'em & more |
📱Poker app | Yes |
✅AGCO License | Yes |
Another highly reputable poker casino, Unibet has been in the industry since 1999. This Ontario online poker app is highly reputable and is a go-to choice not just for players in Canada, but for players worldwide. This big-name brand offers a whole host of games and top software providers, as well as a great mobile app that works on both iOS and Android devices.
📅Tournaments | Yes |
🃏Popular poker games | Texas Hold'em, Razz, Omaha & more |
📱Poker app | Yes |
✅AGCO License | Yes |
Like the rest of Canada, Ontario previously had an unregulated online gambling market. How did this change? Back in June 2021, lawmakers approved Bill C-218, also known as the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act. This Act essentially permitted local jurisdictions to introduce single-event betting in Canada. And shortly after in July 2021, Ontario created iGaming Ontario (iGO), which was another play to help usher in a newly regulated gaming market in the province.
As a result, some of the world's most renowned poker gambling brands now operate legally in Ontario. However, there are still some limitations. The regulations in Ontario mean that games are restricted to players within the province, meaning there's a segregated player pool and poker community. The good news? Ontario is a huge province with a population of over 15 million people, making it one of the largest regulated areas in North America.
Looking to learn more? Below is a quick snapshot of how online poker became legal and regulated in Ontario.
We strive to only ever recommend the best Ontario poker casinos and apps. Our team of experts review every online casino using rigorous 25-step rating criteria, ensuring only the best sites make it to our shortlist. For an online poker site to make it to our list, it has to offer a truly standout gaming experience. Below is a snapshot of how we rate poker casinos and what we look for in our rankings.
Poker has become one of the most popular casino games — and certainly the most mainstream. While most people know the likes of Texas Hold’em, online poker Ontario operators provide other popular variants. That means when you select one of the Ontario online poker sites we recommend, you can pick between the following games:
The aim of the game is for players to make the best hand using five community cards and two hole cards. All players start with two cards face down. Players then make initial wagers known as the 'small' and 'big blind'. Three community cards are then dealt face up, followed by a second round of betting. This continues until all five community cards are on the table. The winner is the player with the best hand according to poker hand rankings.
If you're new to the game, check out our full how to play poker guide for more information.
Looking to practice your poker? Test out your skills with a selection of our free games below. You can choose from dozens of online poker games for players in Ontario, including titles from leading providers like Microgaming, iSoftBet and Play’n GO.
All poker app casinos in Ontario are licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Many big-name gambling sites will have official apps to use that are tailored for both iOS and Android devices. And when it comes to poker, you'll be able to choose from dozens of mobile games. Most poker apps in Ontario will offer classic poker variations as well as live dealer options and more.
There are plenty of benefits to using an Ontario online casino app. Usually, you'll have a more bespoke gaming experience as well as smoother performance and mobile-friendly UI. Our top tip is to enable push notifications — that way you can be notified when the latest poker games are added to the casino's library.
Online poker is still relatively new in Ontario. This means that operators are continuously adding more poker tournaments and building a community of players. That said, you should still be able to find daily poker tournaments at some of the best Ontario poker apps. This includes regular 'Sit and Go' tournaments, multi-table tournaments as well as online 'poker festivals' hosted by big names like PokerStars. Some of the most popular tournaments in Ontario include PokerStars’ Ontario Championship of Online Poker (ONCOOP) and the WSOP Online Circuit Series
Freeroll poker is when you can enter a poker tournament online without needing to buy your way in. Yes, this means you can enter for free and compete for a real money prize. When you enter, the online casino will provide you with a set amount of chips (all players have equal chips), and then you play in a tournament format with winners taking away a prize. Freeroll poker tournaments are hugely popular in Ontario and will feature at some of the top sites.
Find out more about poker freeroll tournaments and get exclusive entry passwords from Casino.org on our freerolls poker page.
Let’s start this section by saying there is no way to guarantee wins. Like all casino games, poker is based on luck, so no betting decision or strategy can change that. However, poker is interesting because you can employ tactics such as bluffing to help your cause. Whether you bluff or not, the following tips will help beginners and experts alike to take their poker game to the next level:
When you choose an online poker variant, always learn the rules of the game. Online poker games will provide game rules from the software provider, while online resources are also available. Understanding the rules gives you the best chance of making the best betting decisions. You should also understand the hand rankings to know when you have winning cards in your hand.
This one is more for beginners but can also be used by experienced players using a new poker variant. Choosing small bets will help your bankroll last as long as possible and allow you to become more familiar with the game. When you get more comfortable, start raising your wagers accordingly based on the strength of your hands.
This is where we can help! Dozens of software providers offer games at Ontario online poker sites. Understanding which games are the best and which you should avoid is crucial. Our team reviews the best poker sites and games, helping you make an informed decision that is best for your needs.
The golden rule of online casino gaming is to always gamble responsibly. This means betting within your means and only spending money you can afford to lose. Only you know your budget, but try to make it disposable income that does not eat into your monthly expenses. Top online poker Ontario sites have responsible gambling resources such as account limits, time outs, and advice.
New to online poker? Not to worry – our goal is to connect you with the best Ontario online poker casinos for beginners. Alongside offering simple variants like Texas Hold’em, our beginner-friendly poker platforms provide a smooth and efficient experience across the board. We pay special attention to factors, including the following:
On the other end of the scale, we also provide access to top online poker sites for expert players. We understand that advanced players have specific needs that reward them for their dedication to playing poker:
Online poker can take a lifetime to master. Even the most experienced poker players will still find ways to improve their skills and learn more about the game. Below are some more complex tips for anyone starting to play online poker in Ontario.
Multi-tabling is where you play online poker at multiple tables simultaneously. Many pros will play between 16 and 24 online poker games at the same time - whether they're cash games, Sit 'n' Gos, or tournaments. This allows for a fun and fast-paced game and is rumoured to be another way to increase profits over time.
Card counting means keeping track of the cards that have been dealt to work out which cards might be remaining. You won’t be able to count cards when you’re playing poker online in Ontario. That’s because the deck is randomly shuffled after each round by Random Number Generators (RNGs).
Make sure you have your bankroll sorted before you start playing for real money. It's easy to have dollar signs appear in front of your eyes and want to dive into that $50 tournament or $5/10 cash game. But if you don't have the funds behind you, you'll quickly go bust.
Our best advice is to set aside a certain amount of money you're prepared to bet with. If you take a hit, drop down the levels, build your bankroll back up, then make a jump up the stakes if you're comfortable. As a rule of thumb, when playing cash games you should have 20-30 buy-ins set aside (especially if you're playing more than one table). For tournaments, a bankroll of 50 buy-ins is sensible.
Your position is important in online poker because it can give you an informational edge. You can see what other players do before you act and can change your strategy based on what information they give you.
The late position refers to the dealer or the 'button' and the person seated to their right, known as the 'cut off'. If you're in the late position, you'll be able to see what everyone else does before you. Half the table may have folded their cards, or a couple of players may have just called a bet. After the flop, a late position could be any seat where you act last.
The early position is the seat to the left of the big blind. In full-ring games, this can include the first two or three seats that have to act first on the preflop betting round. The early position can be the hardest to play because you have no knowledge of what other players will do. Our advice is to only play solid, strong hands when in the early position.
Learn the most common terms and phrases for your next poker game with our extended glossary below.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Action | Player's turn to bet, raise, or fold |
| All-in | Committing all your chips in a poker hand |
| Backdoor | A draw requiring two connectors or same suited cards to complete |
| Bad Beat | An unlucky loss against the odds |
| Bankroll | Amount of money a player sets aside for poker |
| Big blind | Mandatory bet before cards are dealt (by player after two seats after button) |
| Boat | Full house |
| Blind | Mandatory bet placed before cards are dealt |
| Bluff | Bet or raise without the best hand in order to induce an opponent's fold |
| Board | Shared or community cards |
| Bubble | Player eliminated before the money in a tournament |
| Burn | The card the dealer discards before dealing community cards |
| Button | Seat where the dealer is sitting |
| Call | Bet the amount of another player's bet |
| Check | Choosing not to bet but stay in the hand |
| Chip | A token used in poker to represent cash, with different colored chips representing different cash values. |
| Continuation bet | A bet made post-flop by player who bet first pre-flop |
| Drawing dead | When a player cannot win the hand, regardless of community cards to come |
| Fish | An inexperienced or bad player |
| Fifth street | The final community card, or river, dealt out |
| Flop | The first three community cards dealt |
| Flush | A hand consisting of five cards all the same suit |
| Fold | Throwing away your hand |
| Fourth Street | The turn card |
| Full house | A hand consisting of three-of-a-kind plus a pair |
| Freeroll | A free tournament with no buy-in and a pre-determined prizepool to be won |
| Freezeout | A game without a re-buy option |
| Gutshot | Uncompleted straight requiring one card |
| Heads-up | A poker game between two players only |
| Kicker | A highest unpaired card in a hand used to break ties |
| Limp | To call the big blind pre-flop |
| Loose | A reckless or aggressive player |
| Monster | A very strong hand |
| MTT | A multi-table tournament |
| Muck | To fold a hand without revealing hole cards |
| Nuts | The best possible hand |
| Offsuit | Hole cards of different suits |
| Outs | The cards remaining in the pack that can complete a winning hand |
| Overpair | Holding a pocket pair higher than any possible using community cards |
| Play the board | Using all community cards to create hand |
| Pocket pair | A pair in your starting hand |
| Position | A player's turn in betting order |
| Quads | Four of a kind |
| Rags | Terrible opening hand, like 7-2 offsuit |
| Rainbow | A flop consisting of cards of different suits |
| Raise | To bet more than the previous bet |
| Rake | A percentage of pot taken by cardroom |
| River | The fifth and final community card |
| Satellite | A tournament awarding entry into a larger tournament |
| Set | Three of a kind including a pair in the hole |
| Showdown | Two or more players revealing cards to decide a winning hand |
| Side pot | Extra pots contested after a multiple all-in |
| Sit and Go | A tournament that starts once all seats are filled (normally a single-table tournament) |
| Small blind | Mandatory small bet before cards are dealt (made by player seated after button) |
| Straight | A hand consisting of connecting cards |
| Split pot | An equally divided pot for tied hands |
| Tilt | A loss control of your emotions in a poker game, meaning you become aggressive and angry (due to a bad beat). |
| Top pair | A pair including a hole card and the highest community card |
| Trips | Three of a kind including only one hole card |
| Turn | The fourth community card |
| Under the gun | The first player to act before the flop |
The best online casinos in Ontario take the need to promote responsible gambling very seriously. At each casino, you should be able to find detailed information about how to stay in control of your gambling. There should also be links to specialist agencies that can offer experienced advice and practical support to people. In Ontario, these include:
With over five years of experience, Hannah Cutajar now leads our team of online casino experts at Casino.org. She is considered the go-to gaming specialist across several markets, including Canada. Hannah regularly tests Ontario online casinos to recommend sites and apps with top games, safe payments, and stellar customer service. Her number one goal is to ensure players get the best experience online through world-class content.
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