5 Best Online Poker Sites in Canada (2025)

Welcome to our guide on the top online poker sites for Canadian players! In the world of online gaming, poker has cemented its place as a beloved pastime, combining skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. Canada, known for its enthusiastic poker community, offers a variety of online poker platforms that cater to players of all levels. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the top five online poker sites available in Canada.

Best Canadian Online Poker Rooms

Each of these sites has been selected based on their user-friendly interfaces, the diversity of poker games offered, and the overall playing experience. They range from platforms ideal for novices, providing a gentle introduction to poker, to those that challenge even the most seasoned poker veterans with high-stakes tables and professional-grade competition.

Security and fair play are paramount in online poker, and these sites stand out for their commitment to ensuring a safe and trustworthy environment. With state-of-the-art software, they guarantee smooth gameplay and stable platforms, allowing you to focus solely on your game strategy.

Accessibility is another key feature, with these sites offering various ways to play. Whether you prefer to play on a desktop computer or enjoy poker on the go with mobile-friendly options, these platforms provide seamless experiences across different devices.

Lastly, community and support are crucial elements of online poker sites. These top Canadian sites offer vibrant community forums, customer support, and resources for players to learn, improve their game, and connect with other poker enthusiasts.

Can You Play Online Poker in Canada

Playing online poker is legal in Canada, per the Criminal Code of Canada, but there aren’t many official poker rooms across the country. Each province has the autonomy to govern gambling in its borders, and as such, the availability of poker rooms varies between each province. Ontario has the greatest share of online casinos and poker rooms, as the gambling market is open to international operators. These sites can obtain Ontario licensure and operate legally in Ontario. In other provinces, the options are not so broad.

Outside Ontario, most provinces have one provincial casino, and an affiliated sportsbook. Not all provide online poker rooms. PlayNow (BC) has poker cashgames, but ALC.ca (the Atlantic Territories), only has casino games, a sportsbook, lottery games, and iBingo. But there are options for poker players in these territories, albeit they are not locally recognised.

Internationally Licensed Poker Sites

Plenty of internationally-based poker rooms take on Canadian players, even if they do not carry local licenses. Our only point here is that you should check to see if the site has any licensure at all. Many of these sites are regulated by leading international gambling authorities. The likes of the UKGC, MGC, and Kahnawake are big players in the international gambling market. At these sites, you will get:

• Safe Banking Options
• Military Grade Security
• Provably Fair to Play Games

The list we have curated below only consists of sites that can provide you with a safe gambling experience. They have poker cash games and tournaments, all provably fair to play, and use top tier data encryption to make sure your personal details are safe at all times.

So, whether you’re looking to join your first ever online poker game or seeking new challenges in the world of virtual poker, these top sites in Canada offer something for everyone. Let’s dive into the exciting world of online poker and explore what each of these premier sites has to offer!

1. GGPoker

Established in 2017, GGPoker was started by a group of experienced poker players who wanted to provide enthusiasts with the ultimate place to play poker. The action is nonstop and there are plenty of unique games for you to try out. It does not matter whether you are a complete beginner or a master of the game, there are masses of gaming opportunities. The site is also endorsed by world-famous poker stars such as Daniel Negreanu, Dan Bilzerian, Bertrand Gospellier and many more, which speaks volumes to the reputation of GGPoker.

The three types of poker you can play at GGPoker are Texas Hold’em, Omaha Poker and 6+ Short Deck. When looking for a session to join, you can pick from the low stakes games, middle stakes high stakes and there are even VIP games for players who have massive wads of cash.

There are almost always tournaments being held. There are yearly festivals, such as the GGPoker World Festival, Super Million$, Road to Vegas and so on. Then, you can also find daily tournaments and frequent specials. You may want to try your luck on some themed tournaments, such as the old Western “Bounty Hunters” tournament, or the Chinese Zodiac, Mystery Bounty or Omaholic. These tournaments are not only for seasoned players, as there are many events to pick from within each tournament, and they can include low-stakes competitions (with buy-ins starting from the $1 mark).

Ontario Residents are Prohibited.

2. WSOP

19+ | Play Responsibly. | ConnexOntario.ca | Gambling Helpline: 1-866-531-2600

WSOP.ca launched exclusively in Ontario, Canada, in 2022 and is the first-ever joint World Series of Poker and GGPoker online poker room in the world. WSOP.ca is a unique blend that features the best from both prominent poker brands.

The World Series of Poker is best known for hosting the most prestigious poker tournaments in the world. This carries over to WSOP.ca where players can compete for coveted World Series of Poker bracelets online, play in WSOP Circuit ring events, and win a trip to Las Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker Main Event!

WSOP.ca is powered by GGPoker, which means it uses GGPoker’s award-winning software, includes many of its unique features, such as Card Squeeze and Smart HUD, and features a wide variety of games and tournaments. The software is optimized for mobile and tablet play, and the app is a pleasure to use wherever and whenever you want to play online poker.

Exclusive to Ontario – All other provinces are prohibited.

3. Tiger Gaming

Next we have Tiger Gaming Casino, which is one of the leading platforms when it comes to poker sites. The platform was launched all the way back in 1999, meaning that it currently has nearly two and a half decades of experience. It operates as a sportsbook, online casino, and poker website, each of which is just as popular as the next one.

The poker segment stands separate from the casino because Tiger Gaming was originally a poker-only website. However, as time went by, it was forced to add new games and features in order for its service to survive the test of time and adjust to match the interests of its community. To this day, the platform is quite rich with traffic, and poker is being played as much as ever.

TigerGaming supports multiple payment methods, such as Mastercard, Visa, Skrill, Neteller, iDebit, UseMyBank, and many more, including even Bitcoin.

Ontario residents are prohibited.

4. 888 Poker

Since its launch in 2002, 888 Poker has become one of the go to platforms for poker players, with an outstanding range of poker rooms and cash games. It has a casino game portfolio and a sportsbook extension, but the operator focuses primarily on bringing poker enthusiasts the best quality games and a huge platform to test their skills.

888 Poker specializes in games of Texas Hold’em and Omaha, but you can also find popular variants such as Blast Poker, Snap Poker, Horse, 5 Card Draw and many more. It is not just for expert poker players as there are cash games for players of all levels, and you can play for as much or as little as you like. If you fancy joining a tournament, you will find an abundance of options, including all sorts of Sit & Go Poker tournaments, Heads-Up, Multi Table Tournaments and Poker Satellite Tournaments, the latter providing tickets to bigger events.

888 Poker is holds gambling licenses with the Governments of Gibraltar and Malta, and provides a variety of payment options including Visa, Mastercard, Interac, Apple Pay, Neteller, and more.

Ontario residents are prohibited.

5. Loto-Quebec

Loto-Québec’s official gaming platform, lotoquebec.com, stands as Québec’s sole legal gaming site.

It provides players in Québec with an enjoyable and secure gaming experience, along with access to a diverse array of products from the company’s portfolio. As one of the few government-run corporations in Canada, Loto-Québec uniquely offers an extensive variety of games. This includes sports betting and a combination of both traditional land-based and online gaming alternatives. The site also serves as a premier online poker hub, catering to both seasoned and beginner players with features like tournaments, introductory poker games, and significant poker events.

Exclusive to Quebec – All Other Provinces Prohibited

Online Gambling Legality in Canada

Canada has a diverse gambling scene, varying greatly depending on which province you are in. The good thing is that the country is extremely gambling-friendly, especially when it comes to casino games.

Ontario is the market leader in Canada, opening its gambling market to foreign gambling platforms and regulating them through iGaming Ontario. The gambling regulator is a subsidiary of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and has the authority to issue Ontario licenses to international gambling sites to allow them to operate legally in Ontario.

The other provinces in Canada have their own gambling authorities, such as the Atlantic Lottery Corporation that operates in the Maritime Provinces, the Société des Casinos du Québec, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission. For the most part, the provinces outside Ontario have one state-regulated online casino, such as PlayAlberta, Lotto Quebec or ALC.ca, but without the proper competition their offering tends to be a little limited.

If you want to find out more about the casino gaming options in each Canadian province, be sure to check out the following pages:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• Ontario
• Saskatchewan
• Quebec

Playing Online Poker in Canada

We have to divide Canada poker sites in terms of those that are available in Ontario, and those which operate in the other provinces. In Ontario, the poker sites are regulated by iGaming Ontario, and meet all the gaming integrity and fairness standards of the ACGO. The other provinces in Canada have more limited options, but the good side is that it is not illegal to play at international poker sites. Given the competition they face, these international poker rooms have tonnes of excellent cash games and in-house tournaments, and you will be playing against huge pools of players. The only thing to note is that they are not locally recognised, so in a lot of cases they may not have Canadian phone support, or may not provide Interac payments.

But as the gambling scene develops in Canada, we may see more provinces following Ontario and opening their doors to foreign gambling sites. British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec are among the provinces most interested in breaking the state monopoly and bringing in foreign online poker sites. The Maritime provinces may take more convincing, but in the long run, they may also decide to explore the opportunities that lie in creating an open iGaming market.

Dangers of Playing Online Poker in Canada

The gamble we take in poker is very different to casino games. Namely, we are not playing the house, but against other players. So instead of winning money off a casino, in poker cash games, you can win money off of other players. Skill is very much a part of poker. And as a skill-based game, it is easy to feel like we have control over what happens. But you cannot rule out the fact that the game of poker revolves around the draw. The poker hand you are drawn, the flop, turn and river are all down to probability and chance.

Sure, you can even defeat players who have a better hand than your own. If you make the most of where you are sitting at the table, time your raises and outbluff the opponent, you may just win the pot. This sentiment can make poker feel very much a battle of wits, and fuel experienced players with overconfidence and gambler’s conceit.

Even if you are using an optimum game theory or have a special talent for analysing players and outplaying them, no poker player is immune to defeat. A win will feel all the more powerful if you have bluffed your way to the pot. Or, outskilled an experienced player. Losses can similarly feel a lot more impactful as a result. After all, if you lose a round of roulette, it is easier to accept this was a random outcome. But losing a hand of poker, especially when you felt it was your pot to take. Well, that can build tremendous gambler’s remorse.

Psychological Impacts and Compulsive Betting

When you mix in the element of control, or a perceived control, in gambling, it can make the games a lot more addictive. There are lots of ways in which you can impact the outcome of a round of poker. At the draw of each hand, you get the chance to raise, fold, or call. And the top players take advantage of this through bluffs and masterful poker strategy. But these turns within a single round will also play havoc with your rewards system. As you anticipate what will happen, your brain releases dopamine and stimulates you. With each drawn card and every raise or fold, your stress levels will also fluctuate.

A win can reinforce your gambling instincts and make you want to play more. Losses can also prompt you to want to keep playing. But so can situations in which you win, but you aren’t happy with the amount won. Or, when you experience a near miss. In that you were within reaching distance of a win, but a last minute call or raise threw you off.

Poker has addictive qualities, giving birth to all kinds of superstitions and gambler’s fallacies. Some players may build an optimism bias, especially if they think they have seen right through another player. This player is a limper, that one is a loose aggressive, and the other is a passive. You build optimism bias as you play against your seemingly predictable peers. But anything can happen, and some may try to build those biases in you to throw you off. You must keep your wits about you, and try to remain alert at all times. While you are trying to read them, they are reading you, and trying to throw you off.

How to Play Smarter and Safer

At the end of the day, your first priority is self conservation, before beating anyone else. Try to make a strategy for yourself in which you will not go bust early. Or end up chasing your losses and going all in on a fool’s hope. Poker bankroll management may seem trivial or something that takes the fun out of the game. But it is a must if you are to sustain longer gaming sessions. And avoid running out of money early.

Make a budget for yourself, and pick games with table limits and buy-ins that satisfy that budget. For instance, a $2 buy-in cashgame with $0.01/$0.02 blinds generally requires a budget of $40 up to $100. We generally say you should be able to afford 20 to 50 buy-ins. You have $300, then you may be able to join a $10 buy-in, $0.05/$0.10, but it is better to go with $5 buy-in $0.02-$0.05 games.

You must also work to keep your emotions in check. If you feel like you are getting too emotionally invested in a game, it is better to quit while you are ahead. Avoid tilting or making any reckless decisions that can compromise your bankroll. Poker is quite ruthless with players who lose their cool. Sure, you have invested so much time into the table and have a good idea of how everyone plays. But you are better off quitting and taking a break than making a last ditch move to hit a big pot.

Using Safer Gambling Tools

At the licensed poker rooms we have picked for you, you have safer gambling tools to maintain control. You are advised to make deposit limits, so you will never end up overspending. Reality checks are also important as they keep you informed about how much time you have spent playing. You may not feel tired, going on adrenaline and hits of dopamine to maintain focus. But poker can be mentally exhausting, and the longer you play, the higher the chance that you will lose your money. So therefore don’t be afraid to call it quits and take some time off between games.

Conclusion

Poker is a game where you need a lot more skill than for any other game. If you happen to have luck as well — that will definitely come in handy. However, if you wish to have any chance of walking away with the money, you must first find a safe, trustworthy, and fair platform, and our team did just that in order to help you out. Any of the platforms on the list above is perfectly safe and reliable. The only thing that will decide which one you wish to use is your preference.

FAQs Canada Poker Sites

How old do I need to be to play online poker in Canada?

To play online poker in Canada, you must be of legal gambling age. In the provinces of Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba, the minimum age to gamble is 18. In other provinces, including BC and Ontario, the minimum gambling age is set at 19+.

Are online poker winnings taxed in Canada?

No, online poker proceeds are not taxed, unless you are a professional gambler. If you have gambling as your official source of income, you will need to pay income tax on your poker winnings.

What is the best online poker sites in Canada?

It is difficult to pick the best online poker site in the whole country. Not all are available in every region. GGPoker, 888 Poker and Tiger Gaming are great options if you live outside Ontario, and these have a worldly array of poker cash games. For poker players in Ontario, you will need to pick an operator licensed by iGaming Ontario. For example, WSOP.ca is regulated in Ontario, and only available in that province, and is one of the most popular and comprehensive poker sites.

What types of online poker cashgames can you play in Canada?

Online poker is legal throughout Canada, and the top sites such as GGPoker, WSOP and 888 Poker have loads of cash games for you to explore. These include popular games such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and 6+ Short Deck. You will find cashgames for players of all budgets, as well as all kinds of tournaments. Sit & Go, Heads Up, and Satellite Tournaments are just a few types of poker tournaments that are immensely popular in Canada.