- Crypto Poker Sites Compared
- Crypto Poker and Ontario: What You Need to Know
- Why Canadians Choose Crypto for Poker
- How to Fund a Crypto Poker Account
- Crypto Poker in Canada FAQ
- World's Biggest Poker Site with large player pool
- Excellent choice of games and tournaments
- Multi-million dollar jackpots regularly won
- Direct entry to World Series of Poker (WSOP) events
- Buy-ins to suit players of all levels
- Accepts Crypto
- Excellent reputation
- Industry-leading software
- Unique features not found at rival poker rooms
- Firm favourite with crypto fans
- Home of the Crypto Series of Poker (CSOP) with big jackpots on offer
- Big choice of cryptocurrencies to deposit and play with
- Simple poker software works well on PC and mobile
- Good range of games and tournaments to choose from
- Backed by the World Poker Tour
- Regular opportunities to qualify to live WPT events
- Slick poker software works well on PC and mobile devices
- Loyalty and Rakeback Benefits up to 30%
- Crypto First Banking with FIAT Options
- Certified RNG and Responsible Gaming Tools
- Exclusive Crypto-Focused Platform
- User-Friendly Software and Interface
- Daily Freerolls and Sit&Go-Events
- High Stakes Availability
- Rake-Free Beginner Tables
- Native Mobile Experience
- Global Liquidity Pools
- Integrated Discord Community
- Up to 50% Rakeback with their own Krill System
- Freerolls, Promotions and Tournament Series Frequently
- Soft Fields with a lot of Recreational Players
- Get up to $1000 with code MAXBET
- Accepts Crypto Currencies
- Inhouse Crypto Games
- Huge first deposit bonus, 150% up to $2,000
- Loyalty System with up to 60% Rakeback
- Unique tool to create private events
Crypto Poker Sites Compared
| Poker Room | Cryptocurrencies Accepted | Minimum Crypto Deposit | KYC Required | Crypto Available to Ontario Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GGPoker | Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, USD Coin | Around $50 USD equivalent, varies by region | Yes, standard ID and address verification | No, Ontario's regulated GGPoker.ca platform is CAD-only |
| WPT Global | Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT and other coins, varies by region | From roughly $5 to $35 USD equivalent depending on the coin | Yes, full verification required before withdrawal | No, WPT Global does not accept Ontario residents |
| Stake Poker | 20+ coins including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, USDT and Dogecoin | No fixed minimum published | Yes, identity verification required to withdraw | No, Stake has blocked Ontario IP addresses since 2022 |
| CoinPoker | Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT (ERC-20 and TRON), Polygon, Solana | Not publicly specified | No KYC required for standard play, optional Civic ID | Not specified by the operator |
| BasePoker | Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, USDT, Solana | $1 | Only after $10,000 in cumulative lifetime withdrawals | Not specified by the operator |
| SwC Poker | Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash only | Not publicly specified | No | Not specified by the operator |
Poker Rooms That Accept Cryptocurrency
GGPoker
GGPoker runs two separate products for Canadians. The Ontario-licensed version, operated under the province's AGCO framework, only accepts Canadian-dollar payment methods like Interac and cards, since Ontario's gambling regulator does not permit cryptocurrency as a deposit method.
Crypto Poker and Ontario: What You Need to Know
Why Canadians Choose Crypto for Poker
- Faster deposits. Crypto transactions typically clear in minutes, compared with the delays that can come with e-transfers or card payments flagged for manual review.
- Fewer bank declines. Some Canadian banks flag or block transfers to gambling sites. Sending crypto from a personal wallet sidesteps that entirely.
- Bigger player pools. Crypto-friendly rooms like GGPoker's international platform and Stake Poker carry global traffic, which usually means softer games and bigger tournament fields than Canada's smaller regulated market alone.
- No currency conversion on USD-denominated sites. Many crypto poker rooms price games in USD. Depositing in a stablecoin like USDT avoids the extra conversion step a CAD bank card would add.
The Trade-Offs of Playing Poker with Crypto
- Volatility risk. If you deposit in Bitcoin or Ethereum rather than a stablecoin like USDT, the value of your bankroll can shift between the moment you deposit and the moment you cash out.
- Converting back to CAD. Crypto winnings need to be moved through an exchange before they become spendable Canadian dollars, which adds a step and, at some exchanges, a fee.
- Less regulatory protection offshore. Sites operating outside Canada's provincial frameworks are not subject to the same dispute-resolution or player-protection rules as an AGCO-licensed or provincially operated site.
- Provincial restrictions. As covered above, Ontario residents cannot use crypto through the province's regulated operators, and some crypto-first rooms block Ontario entirely.
How to Fund a Crypto Poker Account
- Buy cryptocurrency through a Canadian exchange using Interac or a bank transfer, choosing Bitcoin, Ethereum or a stablecoin like USDT depending on which coins your chosen room accepts.
- Open the cashier on your poker site and select the cryptocurrency deposit option to generate a wallet address.
- Send the funds from your exchange or personal wallet to that address, double-checking the network (for example, USDT on TRC-20 versus ERC-20 uses different networks and fees)
- Wait for blockchain confirmation. Most deposits credit within minutes to half an hour, depending on the coin and network congestion.
- Withdraw the same way you deposited. Most crypto poker sites require you to cash out in the same cryptocurrency you deposited with.
Playing Crypto Poker Responsibly
Crypto Poker in Canada FAQ
- Is crypto poker legal for Canadians to play?
Canadians outside Ontario can generally play at crypto-accepting poker sites, whether provincially operated or offshore. There is no federal law prohibiting an individual from playing poker online, though the operators themselves vary in how they are licensed.
- Can players in Ontario use cryptocurrency to play poker?
Not through Ontario's AGCO-regulated operators. The AGCO's own rules do not permit cryptocurrency as a deposit method, so GGPoker's Ontario platform, for example, is CAD-only. Ontario residents who want to use crypto would need to use an offshore site outside the province's regulated framework, which carries different protections than a licensed Ontario operator.
- Which poker sites accept Bitcoin in Canada?
GGPoker's international platform, WPT Global, Stake Poker, CoinPoker, BasePoker and SwC Poker all accept Bitcoin for Canadian players outside Ontario. See the comparison table above for minimum deposits and verification requirements at each.
- Do I need to complete identity verification to deposit crypto?
It depends on the room. GGPoker and WPT Global require standard KYC verification, particularly before withdrawal. CoinPoker and SwC Poker do not require KYC for standard play. BasePoker only requests verification once a player's lifetime withdrawals exceed $10,000.
- How do I convert crypto poker winnings back to Canadian dollars?
Withdraw your winnings from the poker site to a personal wallet, then send that crypto to a Canadian exchange and sell it for CAD, which you can transfer to your bank account. Exchange fees and processing times vary by platform.
- Is playing poker with cryptocurrency safe?
The poker rooms themselves use the same security standards as their fiat cashiers, but crypto transactions are irreversible, so an incorrect wallet address or network selection cannot be undone. Stick to reputable rooms, double-check every address before sending funds, and use a stablecoin like USDT if you want to avoid price volatility between deposit and cash-out.
- What is the minimum deposit at crypto poker sites?
It varies widely, from $1 at BasePoker to around $50 USD equivalent at GGPoker. Check the comparison table above for each room's current minimum.
- Can I play crypto poker on my phone?
Yes. GGPoker, WPT Global, Stake Poker and CoinPoker all offer mobile apps or mobile-optimized sites that support the same crypto deposit and withdrawal options available on desktop.