The future course of online poker in Ontario has been a topic of discussion, as of late.
Ontario, online gambling was legalized in April 2022, and online poker is part of Ontario, and all operators must be licensed by AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO). The Ontario online poker falls under this regulation regime, which geofences it, meaning that players can only play with other players within the Ontario province on licensed platforms.
Due to that, the online poker in Ontario can no longer share a liquidity with the international or out-of-province pools. This move was aimed to make sure there was integrity in the game, consumer protection, local taxes and tight regulatory control but it resulted at the cost of bigger fields and more players.
By August 2025 the medium-term regulatory market in Ontario has approximately 50 licensed operators and 85 operating iGaming websites. The Ontario regulator is also a relatively new creation given that the current iGaming Ontario split off the AGCO in May 2025 in a bid to enhance efficiency and transparency.
Cash games have become much more friendly to players there are now fewer professional regulators, a higher proportion of amateur players, yet the tournaments are the losers. Big prize pools get smaller, the number of fields minimised and most grinders do not attend the global days events. The geofenced system has resulted in a clear tradeoff; those who are regulars have a better game, whereas those who are pursuing major tournament scores, do not experience the excitement of the game.
What Alberta Is Doing -and What It Could Mean for Online Poker in Ontario
Though Ontario still maintains its geofenced model, Alberta is ready to adopt a similar route although with some variations. At this point, no poker is officially regulated in Alberta, although its residents can participate in poker at international grey media sites that are not regulated by the province.
That may soon change. Bill 48, iGaming Alberta Act, that was proposed by Alberta, in case of its passing would set up a regulated online gaming market that will encompass poker. The industry participants believe that regulated iGaming market in Alberta can open as soon as 2026.
The major question remains whether the poker system of Alberta will be able to share the liquidity with that of Ontario. Increasing signs are that regulators and operators are considering a common intra-Canada pool between Ontario and Alberta to enhance their liquidity without added provincial control.
Should it occur, it would result in a Canadian mini-pool – Ontario and Alberta players who would play on the same framework. This would put a new twist in the daily tournaments and middle Stakes games all within the Canadian legal jurisdiction. It would still be independent of U.S. interstate networks or international poker sites, though.
Possible Futures for Online Poker in Ontario
Let’s explore the main potential paths for online poker in Ontario over the next few years:
| Scenario | Description | Pros | Challenges / Barriers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay Geofenced (Status Quo) | Ontario remains isolated, no pooling with other provinces or states | Full regulatory control, consumer safety, softer games | Limited volume, smaller tournaments, player frustration |
| Merge with Alberta (Canadian Shared Pool) | Ontario and Alberta combine liquidity under Canadian law | Bigger fields, improved volume, domestic oversight | Aligning regulations, timing, technical setup |
| Interstate / U.S. Pooling | Ontario links with U.S. states like Michigan or New Jersey | Huge liquidity, global-scale tournaments | Legal barriers, tax conflicts, cross-border regulation |
| Return to Global Pool | Rejoin the international player base | Massive tournaments, big prize pools | Loss of oversight, consumer risk, tax leakage |
| Hybrid or Tiered Models | Remain geofenced but allow occasional shared events | Balance between control and excitement | Complex coordination and fairness issues |
Ideally, a merger with Alberta would be a combination of the optimal balance of liquidity and regulation. It would be politically and legally hard to enter into U.S. pools or re-open up to global markets. Reviving to the open international platform would turn against the core of the Ontario regulatory model, which is consumer protection, control, and equitable taxation.
Legal/Regulatory barriers.
Ontario government has already petitioned the court to find out whether it can legally permit its players to be part of the liquidity pools not within the province like with Alberta or jurisdictions abroad. That case is not settled yet and it was reported on October 2025.
To make Ontario share its liquidity, the regulators will need to make sure there are no federal or provincial laws of gaming violations. It is also necessary that they have strong geolocation controls, safeguard player data and that they follow the standards of responsible gaming.
The scenario would be even more complicated in case Ontario will be merged with the U.S. states. It would be necessary to have differences in taxation, anti-money-laundering laws and cross-border gambling laws.
Politically and in the regulation perspective, Ontario will be much more cooperative to Alberta compared to any state in the U.S. Local partnerships are just less risky in terms of legality.
Likely and Less Likely Scenarios
Here’s the realistic outlook:
Most probable: Ontario is geofenced until the end of 2025 and Bill 48 in Alberta is on its way to being passed. After the Alberta market is in place the two provinces may consider a joint Canadian liquidity pool in 2026 or 2027 with a few tournaments and player groups at first.
Less probable version: Restrained cross-pooling with the U.S. states, in case the legal systems can be ironed out.
Very improbable possibility: Ontario returning back to the global market, and this would go against the objective of regulation in the province.
In my call I would recommend the Ontario-Alberta network to be shared. It is the most reasonable compromise – it increases liquidity and the tournament size without compromising the transparency that is safeguarding players and the sector.
Where Players Stand ?
Opinions of locals, on Online Poker in Ontario, are divisive.
Amateurs and leisure players demand bigger payouts and the thrill of huge international arenas. The existing system is usually seen as a constraint to their development and possibilities.
Cash game regulars of course like the softer fields that have a smaller local pool. To them, the geofenced world translates to a guaranteed profit and reduced ruthless competition.
It has no universal solution. A common Canadian pool would, however, appeal to both parties – the games will be fair and soft, and it will provide wider fields and variety.
Closing Thoughts for Online Poker in Ontario
Online poker in Ontario is at a crossroads. The controlled model that the province instituted had significant advantages such as enhanced consumer protection, trustworthy control, and a safe environment, but also led to isolation.
The situation is tricky and the future is uncertain. Contrary to online poker in Ontario, the situation on club-based poker apps is much more predictable – it is full of recreational players, and private games are still amazing options for every online poker player looking for soft games. Canadian players mostly prefer ClubGG and PokerBros.
Provided Ontario and Alberta can coordinate their activities, a Canadian shared poker network would become possible in the next two years. This would help rejuvenate tournaments, draw in more players and generate sustainable growth without sacrificing some of the safeguards that help the Ontario system to work.
