Casinos and Poker Rooms
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Caesars Windsor
4.3377 Riverside Drive East Hotel, Casino and Valet Entrance: McDougall Ave, and, Pitt St E, Windsor, ON N9A 7H7, Canada+1 800-991-7777Opening Time: 24/7 -
Casino Ajax
3.650 Alexander's Crossing, Ajax, ON L1Z 2E6, Canada+1 866-445-3939Opening Time: Sun–Thu 8:00–4:00; Fri/Sat 24h? -
Casino Niagara
4.15705 Falls Ave, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6T3, Canada+1 888-325-5788Opening Time: 24/7 -
Casino Rama Resort
4.25899 Rama Rd, Orillia, ON L3V 6H6, Canada+1 800-832-7529Opening Time: 24/7 -
Fallsview Casino Resort
4.36380 Fallsview Blvd, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 7X5, Canada+1 888-325-5788Opening Time: 24/7 -
Gateway Casino Clinton (Slots)
4147 Beech St, Clinton, ON N0M 1L0, Canada+1 519-482-7540Opening Time: Daily 9:00–01:00 -
Gateway Casino Innisfil (Georgian Downs)
3.97485 5th Side Rd, Innisfil, ON L9S 3S1, Canada+1 705-726-6770Opening Time: Sun–Thu 10:00–02:00; Fri/Sat 10:00–04:00 -
Gateway Casino London (Western Fair)
3.8900 King St, London, ON N5W 5K3, Canada+1 519-672-5394Opening Time: Daily 9:00–01:00 -
Gateway Casino North Bay (Cascades)
4.1300 Pinewood Park Dr, North Bay, ON P1B 8Z4, Canada+1 705-840-7702Opening Time: Sun–Thu 9:00–01:00; Fri/Sat 9:00–02:00 -
Gateway Casino Sarnia (Point Edward)
3.41730 London Line, Sarnia, ON N7T 7H2, Canada+1 519-383-3732Opening Time: Sun–Thu 9:00–02:00; Fri/Sat 9:00–03:00 -
Gateway Casino Sault Ste. Marie
3.830 Bay St, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 7A6, Canada+1 705-759-0100Opening Time: Sun–Thu 9:00–03:00; Fri/Sat 9:00–04:00 -
Gateway Casino Sudbury (Slots at Sudbury Downs)
3.7400 Bonin St, Chelmsford, ON P0M 1L0, Canada+1 705-855-7164Opening Time: Daily 9:00–01:00 -
Gateway Casino Thunder Bay
3.650 Cumberland St S, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5L4, Canada+1 807-766-7900Opening Time: Sun–Thu 9:00–03:00; Fri/Sat 9:00–04:00 -
Gateway Casino Woodstock
3.7851 Nellis St, Woodstock, ON N4S 4C6, Canada+1 519-537-4808Opening Time: Daily 9:00–01:00 -
Great Blue Heron Casino & Hotel
3.721777 Island Rd, Port Perry, ON L9L 1B6, Canada+1 905-985-4888Opening Time: 24/7 -
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Hard Rock Casino Ottawa (Rideau Carleton Raceway)
3.94837 Albion Rd S, Gloucester, ON K1X 1A3, Canada+1 613-822-8668Opening Time: 24/7 -
Pickering Casino Resort
3.7888 Durham Live Ave, Pickering, ON L1W 0C1, Canada+1 833-629-0552Opening Time: 24/7 -
Shorelines Casino Belleville
4380 Bell Blvd, Belleville, ON K8P 5H9, Canada+1 613-689-9100Opening Time: Sun–Thu 9:00–01:00; Fri/Sat 9:00–02:00 -
Shorelines Casino Peterborough
3.83800 Fisher Dr, Peterborough, ON K9J 6X6, Canada+1 833-678-0880Opening Time: Sun–Thu 9:00–01:00; Fri/Sat 9:00–02:00 -
Shorelines Casino Thousand Islands
3.8380 ON-2, Gananoque, ON K7G 2V4, Canada+1 613-382-6800Opening Time: Sun–Thu 9:00–01:00; Fri/Sat 9:00–02:00 -
Shorelines Slots at Kawartha Downs
3.51382 County Rd 28, Fraserville, ON K0L 1V0, Canada+1 705-939-2400Opening Time: Daily 9:00–01:00
- The Ultimate Guide for Poker Players in Ontario
- Live Poker Rooms in Ontario
- Legality of Online Poker in Ontario
- Legal Poker Sites in Ontario
- How to Start Playing Online Poker in Ontario?
- Banking Options for Ontario Players
- Poker Laws in Ontario
- Major Poker Tournaments in Ontario
- Well-known Poker Players from Ontario
- Poker Trends in Ontario
The Ultimate Guide for Poker Players in Ontario
Ontario is the poker capital of Canada, boasting some of the country’s best live poker rooms, online platforms, and major tournaments. Whether you’re a casual player looking for a friendly game or a grinder hunting for big tournaments, Ontario offers plenty of options.
Live Poker Rooms in Ontario
Ontario has some of the busiest and most competitive live poker rooms in Canada, with cash games and tournaments running daily. Here are the top venues:
Great Canadian Casino, Toronto
Stands out as a top poker venue in the province, thanks to its partnership with GGPoker for hosting WSOP Circuit and bracelet events.
The upgraded poker room now features a player’s lounge, improved Wi-Fi, and additional TVs, alongside premier tournaments and integrated bad beat jackpots.
Pickering Casino Resort, Toronto
Pickering is another noteworthy poker destination, offering 24/7 action with a mix of cash games and regular tournaments catering to both local and visiting players.
Casino Niagara, Niagara Falls
A popular choice in the Niagara region for its variety of table limits and daily tournaments, although its higher rake can be a drawback.
Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls
One of Canada’s premier poker destinations, hosting large tournaments and daily cash games.
Casino Rama, Orillia
Known for its high-stakes cash games and professional-level tournaments.
Playground Poker Club Toronto (Coming Soon)
A highly anticipated poker room expected to bring Montreal’s legendary Playground brand to Ontario.
Great Blue Heron Casino, Port Perry
Offers a solid mix of cash games and smaller tournaments.
Legality of Online Poker in Ontario
Before legalization, online poker in Ontario existed in a regulatory grey zone, with players accessing poker rooms licensed in offshore jurisdictions.
The situation changed on January 28, 2022, when the Ontario government announced plans to legalize the market. The regulations came into effect on April 4, 2022, with iGaming Ontario—a division of the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario—appointed as the industry regulator.
The organization issues licenses to poker rooms and serves as a contact point for player complaints regarding service violations.
Ontario players could only compete with fellow residents within the province. Leading brands like PokerStars, 888Poker, and partypoker secured licenses to operate in the province. These companies were required to set up offices in Ontario to serve local players.
By September 28, 2022, GGPoker Ontario became part of the mix, offering exclusive World Series of Poker (WSOP) Online tournaments with the chance to win WSOP gold bracelets.
Legal Poker Sites in Ontario
GGPoker Ontario – The province’s official WSOP partner, offering the biggest tournaments.
WPT Global Ontario – A great option for players looking for soft fields and WPT qualifiers.
888poker Ontario – One of the best sites for recreational players.
GGPoker Ontario
As a leading name in the online poker industry the platform is home to WSOP Online tournaments, where players can win WSOP gold bracelets and compete in WSOP Circuit events for championship rings. GGPoker offers Ontario players a lucrative opportunity to participate in those WSOP Online tournaments.
New players can use the GGPoker bonus code NEWBONUS when joining. The platform also features guaranteed tournaments, multiple cash game formats, and generous bonuses.
Seven-time WSOP bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu serves as the poker room's ambassador. GGPoker.ca operates under AGCO license OPIG1231707.
Offshore Poker Sites
Many Ontarians still play on international poker sites, but only sites regulated by iGaming Ontario are officially legal for residents.
How to Start Playing Online Poker in Ontario?
Getting started on licensed poker platforms is pretty simple. Here’s a simple guide:
- Choose a licensed room from options such as GGPoker
- Visit the room’s website and click the “Sign Up” or “Register” button.
- Provide accurate details and use GGPoker promo code NEWBONUS
- Download the gaming client and log in with your credentials.
- Make a deposit on the platform, pick a game of your choice and start playing.
Banking Options for Ontario Players
Licensed poker platforms in Ontario offer diverse payment options, including:
- Credit/Debit Cards: Visa and MasterCard
- E-wallets: PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller
- Bank Transfers: Traditional and digital transfer methods
- Other Services: Paysafecard, Interac, Trustly, and Payz
- Deposits are generally free and have no age restrictions, with minimum deposits typically set at C$10.
Gambling Tax Implications
Ontario players generally do not face taxes on gambling winnings. Under Canadian tax law (paragraph 40(2)(f)(ii) of the Income Tax Act), prize money and gambling winnings are not taxable for recreational players.
However, professional poker players are subject to taxation. Earnings are taxed at rates starting from 5.05% for income up to C$51,446 and up to 13.16% for amounts over C$220,000.
When winnings are earned in U.S. casinos, such as those in Las Vegas, Canadians face a 30% withholding tax on amounts exceeding USD $1,200. These amounts must be declared in Canadian tax returns, but the U.S. withholding can be credited to avoid double taxation.
Poker Laws in Ontario
✅ Live poker is fully legal in Ontario at licensed casinos.
✅ Online poker is legal but must be played on iGaming Ontario-licensed sites.
✅ Home poker games are allowed as long as no rake is taken.
Major Poker Tournaments in Ontario
Ontario hosts some of Canada’s biggest poker events, including:
✅ Fallsview Poker Classic – A must-play event with huge prize pools and a great tournament structure.
✅ WSOP Online Ontario – Official bracelet events hosted by GGPoker Ontario.
✅ WPT DeepStacks – Frequently hosted in Ontario, offering high-value tournaments for mid-stakes players.
Well-known Poker Players from Ontario
Ontario is home to some of Canada’s most accomplished poker players. Leading the list is Daniel Negreanu, born in Toronto.
Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu is a major figure in both live and online poker, with seven WSOP bracelets, one WSOP Circuit ring, and 277 cashes in WSOP tournaments. He has won over $55 million in career tournament earnings and ranks among the top 10 poker players in the All Time Money List.
Sam Greenwood
Sam Greenwood, also from Toronto, has won over $35 million primarily from Triton Poker tournaments. He has one WSOP bracelet and $1.3 million from WSOP tournaments. Greenwood’s twin brother, Lucas Greenwood, and older brother, Max Greenwood, are also poker players based in Canada.
Daniel Dvoress
Daniel Dvoress, from Mississauga but now living in Toronto, ranks third in Ontario and fourth in Canada with over $38 million in winnings. Dvoress’ best live cash came from WSOP Paradise 2024 Triton Million when he was placed 4th for a sum of $4.3 million.
Poker Trends in Ontario
✅ Online poker has exploded since regulation, with GGPoker Ontario leading the market.
✅ High-stakes poker is growing, with more players moving from cash games to bigger tournaments.
✅ Ontario players are making waves globally, with many local players qualifying for WSOP & EPT events.
Where to Play Next?
Ontario is one of the best places in the world to play poker, both live and online. Whether you prefer grinding MTTs online or hitting up live cash games, there’s always action.