Published on: November 12, 2025, at 07:19h.
Updated on: November 12, 2025, at 07:19h.
- Ontario court ruling paves the way for global online poker liquidity
- This decision may rejuvenate lagging poker and DFS engagement
- Cross-border regulations are essential before operators broaden access
A groundbreaking ruling by Ontario’s top appellate court has the potential to significantly transform the region’s online poker and daily fantasy sports (DFS) scene by enabling licensed platforms to facilitate competition between players in Ontario and those abroad.
In a 4-1 verdict on Wednesday, the Court of Appeal for Ontario ruled that it would be legal under the Criminal Code of Canada for provincially regulated online gaming and sports-betting platforms to allow peer-to-peer betting between players in Ontario and those located outside of Canada, provided all necessary regulatory measures are in effect.
This decision could significantly impact the online poker and DFS communities in Ontario, as peer-to-peer games require a substantial number of participants to flourish. An expanded player base enhances the value of tournaments, increases prize pools, and broadens the variety of games and stakes available, drawing in more players.
Significant Change
Ontario, home to 14.2 million residents, is the most populous province in Canada. While this provides adequate player liquidity, it still pales in comparison to the expansive global markets that players enjoyed during the heyday of platforms like PokerStars.
The province established its regulated online gaming licensing framework in April 2022, which effectively restricted the market. Licensed platforms such as PokerStars, 888poker, and PartyPoker currently operate within the province under the supervision of iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission.
At present, players using these platforms must be physically located in Ontario and can only compete against each other.
The outcomes have been mixed. Online poker constitutes around 2% of the overall provincial online gaming market. While other sectors showed growth during the 2023-2024 timeframe, poker has stagnated, indicating a lack of progress.
Moreover, DFS sites like PrizePicks and Underdog have avoided Ontario due to the closed liquidity model, which can only support a handful of major players, limiting space for new entrants.
Canada’s Other Provinces Excluded
The model championed by the court’s majority suggests that Ontario players would use a locally regulated portal, while participants from other countries would access platforms regulated by their own local authorities.
Importantly, the ruling establishes that gamers from other Canadian provinces and territories would not be allowed to join the same pools unless Ontario establishes inter-provincial agreements.
This framework enhances public safety by regulating players who would otherwise resort to offshore sites,” the court noted in its summary.
Implementing these changes will take time and necessitate Ontario regulators finalizing numerous details, including how operators collaborate with international regulators and how identity verification and age restrictions are managed across jurisdictions.
However, in the future, Ontarians might once again find themselves face-to-face with global players, experiencing the thrill reminiscent of the golden age of online poker.