Online Poker Canada: Best Sites to Play Online Poker for Canadian Players

11 min read

Are you looking for a place to play online poker in Canada?

Welcome to our page dedicated just to Canadian poker players! Here you will find a list of some of the best online poker sites in Canada, as well as the latest news and information to help you find the best rooms and poker bonuses in the industry.

Below you'll discover how to get started on your rise up the Canadian online poker ranks.

BEST ONLINE POKER SITES IN CANADA

What are the best online poker sites in Canada to Play for Real Money?

The best online poker site for you will be a personal choice based you your personal bankroll size, favorite game, skill level, and even aesthetic preferences. It's important to do your own research to find a site that offers the games, tournaments, and features that you are most interested in.

However, there are a few good places to start, these are sites that have a good reputation, generous bonus offers, and high-quality software.

With that in mind, our three of the top choices for Canadian poker sites would be PokerStars, 888Poker and partypoker.

On PokerNews, we have reviewed all the top poker sites to make things a little easier for you.

Simply click the links below to check out our in-depth online poker site reviews and access exclusive PokerNews bonuses.

New Ontario Online Poker Rules

If you're based in Ontario, things work a little differently after online poker became legal in the province on April 4, 2022. Fortunately for Ontarians, several major online poker sites have successfully applied for and obtained the relevant gaming license from the Ontario authorities. This means those of you who used to play at one of the major online poker sites can head to their Canada-specific sites at 888poker Ontario, PartyPoker Ontario, PokerStars Ontario, and WSOP @ GGPoker Ontario, and continue enjoying your favorite games.

Rules and regulations out by the AGCO and iGO state any Ontarian wishing to play legal online poker must do so in a ring-fenced player pool. This means Ontario residents can only play poker online against other players physically located in Canada's largest province.

As a result, online poker giants such as PokerStars Ontario, partypoker Ontario, 888poker Ontario, and GGPoker Ontario, have created specific online poker clients where Ontarian grinders are segregated from the global dot-com player pool.

Two other key rules stand out for Ontarians. First, all cash games and tournaments will be played using Canadian Dollars instead of United States Dollars which are the industry standard. Second, the legal gambling age in Ontario is 19 years old, a year older than in most of the dot-com countries.

Online Casinos in Ontario

The good news for Ontario online casino players is that with the change in regulations around gambling, many of the top Ontario online casino operators have obtained the necessary licenses from the regulators. This in turn provides a wide range of Ontario online casino sites for you to choose from. The list of sites includes many brands you’ll be familiar with, from names like JackpotCity Casino and NorthStar Bets, to Spin Casino, PokerStars and Royal Vegas.

These sites all offer a classic online casino experience including the best online slots, table games and some live dealer games also. You may also find that some sites have a link to their online poker offering as well as some sportsbook content.

PokerStars in Canada

PokerStars has some of the best online poker software of any poker site. It is one of the two largest and busiest online poker rooms in the world. Their desktop software offers an unrivaled game selection, some of the biggest and richest regular online poker tournaments, and is generally considered to be the safest and most financially secure online poker site in the world.

888Poker Canada

888Poker is a top choice for Canadian poker players because of its easy poker games and great poker bonus offers

PartyPoker in Canada

PartyPoker has consistently been one of the largest and most trusted online poker sites available for real money play.

PartyPoker attracts many casual and recreational players to its site, which makes for a softer player pool.

WPT Global in Canada

WPT Global brings the internationally recognized World Poker Tour brand poker pedigree online with a platform designed for fun, fair, and secure play.

The WPT Global platform provides a large player pool, generous welcome offers, and great opportunities to win satellites to major WPT live events. It also offers recurring freerolls that reward new players from sign-up to first deposit and beyond.

Plus, there are a series of PokerNews exclusive freerolls to get in on!

Tiger Gaming in Canada

There are three really attractive features of the Tiger Gaming online poker site that make it stand out among the crowd. These are the well-organized lobby, soft player pool, and simple cashout systems.

As with all of our recommended online poker sites from Canadian players, you also have access to offers and promotions when you join.

How to find the Best Canada Online Poker Site

If you are searching for the best Canada online poker sites, there are several factors that you should consider. Here are a few tips on how to find the best online poker sites in Canada:

  • Make sure the site is licensed and regulated
  • Look for a wide range of games and tournaments
  • Check for bonuses and promotions
  • Read PokerNews Reviews
  • Consider Customer Support
  • Test the site out

Top Canada Online Poker Sites for Beginners

When you are just starting out, as a beginner it's worth looking out for a site that offers a variety of low-stakes games and make it easy for you to start playing online poker.

888poker is a good option for beginners because it offers a user-friendly interface and a variety of low-stakes games and tournaments.

As well as offering a wide range of games, including low stakes and freerolls PokerStars also offers a variety of resources and tools to help new players improve their skills.

You can also check out our PokerNews strategy resources to learn more.

Best Online Poker Sites in Canada for Freerolls

Nearly all online poker sites in Canada offer freerolls, with PokerStars, 888Poker, and PartypPoker leading the way.

You can check out upcoming freerolls by using our Online Tournament Calendar:

Best Online Poker Sign Up Offers for Players in Canada

Most online poker sites in Canada offer perks and rewards to new players as an incentive to join and start playing.

These bonuses can come in a variety of forms, but most often no-deposit bonuses, matched deposit bonuses, and ongoing reward schemes.

Welcome bonuses are usually the most generous bonuses offered by online poker sites. A typical welcome bonus would require you to make a deposit then site will then match a certain percentage of that deposit up to a specified maximum amount.

When choosing an online poker site in Canada based on bonuses, it's important to read the terms and conditions carefully.

Some bonuses may have restrictions or wagering requirements that can make them less attractive than they appear at first glance.

Check out some of the best online poker bonuses on offer for Canadian players right now to get a send of what is available.

Online Poker Canada - Tournament Calendar

With so many online Poker tournaments running every day, we decided to make life easier for players. Our Online Tournament Calendar gives you a view of the tournaments taking place at the top poker sites of PokerStars, 888Poker and partypoker.

Is Online Poker Legal in Canada

Online gambling is often called a "legal grey area" in Canada, but that doesn't mean it is illegal to play online poker.

You're certainly not committing a crime when you log into an online poker room and place a real-money bet. However, regulations in some areas of Canada are relaxed, so you do need to be cautious when choosing a site to play on. We consider all our partnering online poker sites safe, so any of them would be a reliable place to start.

If you already have an account with some of the sites listed above, you might also want to check out PokerNews's in-depth reviews of Bet365 Poker and GGPoker both of which are available to Canadian poker players (outside of Ontario).

If you are located in Ontario, the online poker market is now regulated. Online poker became legal in Ontario on April 4, 2022.

Fortunately for Ontarians, several major online poker sites have already successfully applied for and obtained the relevant gaming license from the Ontario authorities. This means you can head to the Canada-specific sites at 888poker Ontario, PartyPoker Ontario, and PokerStars Ontario to continue enjoying your favorite game.

Best Ontario Poker Sites

How Do I Make an Online Poker Deposit in Canada?

Depositing money onto an online poker site is easy for Canadian players.

Most sites will allow you to deposit with any of the major credit cards. In fact, it can be much easier to process Canadian credit card deposits to poker sites than in some other countries.

You can also make use of the many e-wallet systems that are available—these may include sites like Paypal, Skrill, or Neteller though these options will vary from site to site.

How Do I Withdraw My Money?

Withdrawing funds from an online poker room in Canada is just as easy as depositing, if not easier.

Most poker sites will send money to your bank account via wire transfer. You can also go directly through Canadian Visa or MasterCard options as as as online payment processors.

Online Poker Games in Canada

Most sites in Canada have an abundance of poker games.

If you're a no-limit Texas hold 'em specialist you can find cash games and tournaments on most sites. 888poker, PartyPoker, and PokerStars all offer a wide range of options and stakes.

For players who enjoy limit hold 'em, Omaha, stud, draw, or mixed games, then PokerStars remains your best option as they have by far the widest selection and the largest player pool.

There's always a game running. Even for razz players!

Best Canada Poker Apps

Most Canadian online poker sites offer both desktop software and mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.

There are several excellent poker apps available to players in Canada, each with its own unique features and advantages. You can download and play the best Poker apps in Canada using the links below.

Poker SiteDetailsAndroid AppiPhone App
888poker888poker boomed after a complete revamp of their platform and game offer. Today, this is one of the best poker sites in the world.DownloadDownload
PokerStarsThe world's largest poker site is an obvious choice for everyone who likes poker. The top-class mobile apps replicate the same experience you get on desktop.DownloadDownload
partypokerA modern poker app to play on iOS and Android and experience all the best the partypoker client has to offer.DownloadDownload

Free Online Poker in Canada

There are a number of good reasons why you might want to play free online poker in Canada rather than playing for real money.

Whatever your reason, PokerNews has you covered with a number of free online games which are available to Canadian players.

Two of our favorite free online games are PokerStars Play and the WSOP Social Poker App, both offering 1,000,000 Free Chips to get you started.

Learn how to play poker and other useful links….

Canada Online Poker FAQs

Are Canada poker sites legal and regulated?

In Canada, gambling is governed at a provincial level. In most provinces, there are no laws making real money online poker illegal. This means that playing on these sites is legal, but because they are not regulated in these provinces, you should always play at an online poker site that holds licenses elsewhere and has a good record for player safety.

Ontario regulated online poker in April 2022. If you are in Ontario, you can only play legal and regulated poker on Ontario-facing sites.

Is PokerStars legal in Canada?

The regulation of online poker is a provincial issue, but there are no widespread regulations prohibiting Canadians from enjoying poker action, including on PokerStars.

Ontario regulated online poker in April 2022. So in this province, you should use the Ontario-based versions of your favorite site.

How can I find the best Canada poker sites?

You can find the best Canada poker sites by reading reviews, checking out rankings, and trying out different sites for yourself.

What payment methods are available on Canada poker sites?

The most common payment methods on Canada poker sites include debit and credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and prepaid cards.

Can I play on Canada poker sites from my mobile device?

Yes, most Canada poker sites offer mobile apps or web-based versions of their software that can be accessed from a mobile device.

What types of poker games can I play on Canada poker sites?

Canada poker sites offer a variety of poker games, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, and more.

Do Canada poker sites offer bonuses and promotions?

Yes, Canada poker sites often offer bonuses and promotions to attract new players and reward loyal ones.