Ontario Considers Opening Online Poker to US and EU Players

Ontario has made no secret of its intent to reopen peer-to-peer games like online poker to international players, with a legal challenge that would allow it already pending before the province’s highest court. Ontario has asked an appeals court for permission to open up its online poker tables to US and other foreign players, provided those players are based in jurisdictions where online poker is legal.

In February 2024, the Attorney General of Ontario filed an application with the Court of Appeal seeking clarity on whether Ontario residents can legally participate in gaming activities that include players from outside the province, such as online poker. A three-day hearing took place in November 2024, and the court’s decision is still pending.

If Ontario’s high court rules in favor of international play, and the Supreme Court of Canada upholds the decision, the province could reconnect to the international player pool. Ontario is not specifically seeking to join MSIGA at this stage, but it seems Ontario is more focused on creating liquidity pools with EU regulated markets. If the court does not rule in favor of international shared liquidity, Ontario could still look to share its player pool with the regulated Alberta online poker market, which is anticipated to launch in 2026.