Best Canadian Poker Sites

Canadian law doesn’t explicitly allow or disallow online gambling. Although this means that many consider it a gray market, when it comes to poker, the reality is that Canadians have access to all the major international sites.

• Best Canadian Online Poker Sites
• Best Canadian Gambling Sites
• Best Canadian Online Poker Sites
• Best Canadian Poker Sites
• Best Canadian Online Poker Sites

The game of Omaha is another variant that is offered at all of the top Canadian poker sites we recommend. In this game, each player is dealt four cards face down. Community cards are drawn by the dealer in the same sequence as they are for Texas Hold‘em. You can only use two of the four cards in your hand and three of the community cards.

The only officially authorized, locally-run poker product in the country is OK Poker, available to residents of Quebec through its lottery site, Espace Jeux. Whatever site they choose, Canadian players themselves are in no way committing a crime by playing online poker. Best poker sites for Canadians 2020. We also compiled a list of the best online poker sites available to Canadian players. These online poker sites understand the Canadian market and the unique requirements of players like you. Not only to these online poker sites cater to your every need, but they also offer incredible bonuses and promotions to try and attract you to their site.

Online poker has thrived in Canada over the years, and it came as no surprise to see many US poker players move to the country to pursue their poker careers after Black Friday in 2011. More recently, Canadian sportsbooks might be on the way, as the government looks to repeal the prohibition on single-game wagering, one of the few forms of gambling that’s expressly forbidden under current law.

That said, you won’t find many sites based out of Canada. Domestically, most forms of gambling can only be conducted by the provincial lotteries. Thus, while companies like PokerStars and Partypoker serve Canadian customers, they do so from servers located abroad. The only officially authorized, locally-run poker product in the country is OK Poker, available to residents of Quebec through its lottery site, Espace Jeux.

Whatever site they choose, Canadian players themselves are in no way committing a crime by playing online poker.

Best poker sites for Canadians 2020

In terms of sign-up benefits, 888Poker is arguably the best poker site for Canadians. New registrants can receive a 100% bonus on deposits up to $400, as well as an additional $88 bonus. 888.com was once the second largest poker site in the world behind PokerStars, but has seen traffic decline in recent years. However, because its strategy is to focus on recreational players, it may be the best launching point for online poker newcomers.

Of course, PokerStars is the biggest online poker room in the world, and because of this, it offers the biggest fields, the biggest prize pools, and the broadest selection of game types. New registrations can receive a 100% deposit bonus of up to $600, plus entry into an exclusive $2,500 guaranteed free roll reserved strictly for first-time depositors.

And finally, the third of the big three poker operators, PartyPoker. Currently expanding its live poker operations (and therefore offering satellites for these events online, including those held in Canada), PartyPoker also offers a 100% deposit bonus up to $500, plus $10 for free and a tournament ticket worth $10.

Playing Online Poker in Canada

What is the best deposit method for Canadians at online poker sites?

While the simplest option would seem to be using your Canadian credit card, there are some complications that can arise from this. It really all comes down to which credit card company you are with; some are reluctant to process online poker deposits due to the risks involved in funds being charged back to them. As this is seen as an online gambling deposit, there is obviously a risk of this happening.

It’s for this reason that online payment systems are the best route for depositing. Alas, Canadians are unable to use the more commonplace systems (PayPal and Neteller) for online gambling deposits, but Skrill has emerged as a reliable and safe method that also benefits users with low transaction fees.

Alternatively, Canadians can transfer money directly to and from their bank accounts. Most poker sites will also allow you to process cashouts in both Canadian dollars and US dollars.

Are online poker winnings taxable in Canada?

One of the main draws for Canadian online poker is that winnings from it (and other forms of gambling) are not considered to be income. Therefore, poker and gambling winnings are tax-free. This is partly thanks to the Canadian lottery, which does not tax its winners.

However, if you are a professional poker player or gambler, your winnings would then become a business income, so you would have to declare this to abide by the tax laws.

Essentially though, for newcomers and recreational players, you’ll be able to keep the entirety of your winnings.

Live poker in Canada

The Playground Poker Club in Kahnawake (just outside Montreal) has arguably become the most popular poker room in the country, with different online poker sites choosing this location as the venue for their live events.

PokerStars has held its Canada Cup ($3,300 Main Event, $2 million guaranteed) at Playground, while Partypoker is holding its Canadian Poker Championships throughout August and September 2017. This means that online players in Canada can satellite into live events online for a fraction of the buy-in.

The nearby Casino Montreal might be the best choice for newcomers and amateur players, due to the lower overall skill level of the common player. However, because of this the rake fees are slightly higher than those in dedicated poker rooms.

In Ontario, players can visit the OLG Casino Brantford which offers 14 Texas Hold’em tables. Cash games always run, but they also offer a varied tournament schedule including ladies events, bounty events, and deep stack tournaments.

The River Rock Casino in Richmond, British Columbia, is open 24 hours a day, offering around-the-clock cash games. Other recommendations include Casino Nova Scotia, Caesars Windsor, Northlands Park in Alberta, Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, Medicine Hat Lodge Resort in Alberta, Casino de Mont-Tremblant, and Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino (also in Alberta).

There are many grey areas when it comes to gambling in Canada, and online gambling is no exception. However, online casinos do exist in Canada since there are very few laws that relate to online gambling. The most important fact is that it is not illegal to play in an online casino but it is unlawful to operate an online-based casino from Canada.

Despite that, Canada remains one of the more attractive countries for online poker players because of its wide variety of online gambling sites. I will introduce some of the top online poker sites and provide you with detailed features.

These are my top picks for reliable online poker sites that accept Canadian players in 2020:

BetOnline Poker

BetOnline

• Bonus Package:100% Poker Welcome Bonus
• Recommended Bonus:100% up to C$1,000
• Bonus Code:NEWBOL
• Last Checked:November 2020
• Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops

BetOnline has been present in the gambling industry for some time now, but they caught the players’ eyes in 2011 with their new marketing strategy. Appealing bonuses attract many new members, while ongoing promotions keep them playing.

BetOnline is available to players from the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa. Players from 50 US states can wager in BetOnline — more than any other online poker site allows.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

BetOnline offers many payment methods, such as Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, and others. However, they prefer their players using Bitcoin. The minimum deposit bonus for Bitcoin is $10, while the maximum is $100,000. Other methods have different limits; for example, credit and debit cards’ minimum is $50, while the maximum limit is $2,500.

Withdrawal limits also vary depending on the method you choose. Bitcoin‘s minimum cashout is $20, while the maximum is $2,500. There are no payout options for credit and debit cards, but you can get from $500 to $3,000 by wire transfers. Bitcoin transactions are instant, while wire transfers can take up to 15 days.

Security and Software

BetOnline has significantly improved its software since it first started operating. I have noticed significant changes in the appearance of the site. The site’s new graphics are modern and exciting with plenty of fun animations.

BetOnline’s security is tight, and it helps that it uses 256-bit SSL encryption technology that keeps all the players’ information and personal details secure.

Bonuses

BetOnline offers amazing deposit bonuses to both new players and regular ones since it provides a bonus on every deposit you make. There is a $25 bonus for live in-game betting and $50 for mobile bets.

Canadian players get special treatment with a 100% match bonus for deposits between $50-1000. The amount will be transferred to your account in installments — $10 at a time. New players are welcomed with various promotions and bonuses and a chance to win 410,000.

Read the full BetOnline Review.

Screenshots

Sportsbetting.ag Poker

Sportsbetting.AG

• Bonus Package:100% Poker Welcome Bonus
• Recommended Bonus:100% up to C$1,000
• Bonus Code:NEWSB
• Last Checked:November 2020
• Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops

SportsBetting has been present in the industry since 2003, and they have a well-established reputation among players. It’s important to know what kind of poker rooms you’re looking for because some of their online poker games are a bit mediocre and not so busy, I noticed.

SportsBetting includes a comprehensive list of restricted countries but is still available to players from the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, etc.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

There are several deposit and withdrawal methods to choose from, especially for Canadian players. SportsBetting also encourages the use of Bitcoin as the safest and quickest option. Deposits with Bitcoin go from $20 to $100,000.

Withdrawals are also the safest with Bitcoin — the minimum payout is $20, while the maximum is $3,000. You can also use Skrill, Litecoin, Ripple, bank wire transfers, and more for withdrawals. You can only make one withdrawal per week.

Security and Software

SportsBetting’s software could be the most significant feature the online site has to offer. It operates on Betsoft — high-quality software with smooth-running systems. SportsBetting’s poker rooms are part of the Chico poker network, which means fantastic graphics, smooth gameplay, and excellent support are guaranteed.

All wagering and personal information are 100% secure. SportsBetting is a reliable option for poker players.

Bonuses

SportsBetting provides a 100% deposit match bonus on your first crypto deposit with the code100CRYPTOand a 35% bonus for every qualifying deposit with the code35CRYPTO

Additionally, there is a 100% welcome bonus for online casino games on your first three deposits — up to $1,000 each. There are also plenty of promotions related to online poker, from weekly cash races to 20% balance boosts.

Screenshots

Read the full SportsBetting.ag Poker review.

Bodog Poker

Bodog Poker

• Bonus Package:100% Poker Welcome Bonus
• Recommended Bonus:100% up to C$1,000
• Bonus Code:Not required – Use link
• Last Checked:November 2020
• Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops

Bodog has quickly become one of the leading names in the online poker industry. Even though they spent some time in court over domain name rights, that has not stopped them from attracting customers worldwide, with Canada being their primary market.

Bodog players can enjoy the variety of games from most countries in South America, the US, UK, and of course, Canada, among others.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Bodog has similar deposit and withdrawal options as the previous online poker sites. Deposit methods include Bitcoin, BitcoinCash, Visa, Mastercard, and other credit cards and direct bank transfers.

The minimum deposit limit varies from $20 to $100, while the maximum limit ranges from $1,200 to $5,000.

There are multiple withdrawal options as well. If you opt for Bitcoin, you can withdraw a minimum of $10, while there is no maximum limit. Bitcoin transactions are instant and you can withdraw money every three days.

Other transfers can take up to three to five business days to complete, which is why Bitcoin is highly recommended.

Security and Software

Bodog uses more than one software developer, but their main developer is RTG — a well-known brand name in the industry. Among other developers is BetSoft with its cutting-edge approach toward online gaming. Users have nothing but words of praise for the realistic visuals and superb graphics.

Bodog uses the most stringent security measures with special SSL encryption. The players can relax, knowing all their personal information and financial details are 100% protected.

Bonuses

Bodog offers a 100% welcome bonus worth up to $1,000. As is the case with other online poker sites, issued bonuses are based on the Rewards Points and will be unlocked in $5 instalments.

If you deposit using Bitcoin, play with Canadian dollars, and enter the code BOCBITCOIN150, you’ll get a 150% poker bonus worth up to a total of $900.

Bodog also offers various promotions, such as the Bad Beat Bonus or Royal Flush Bonus, worth up to $1,000 and $200, respectively.

There is also the Bodog Rewards program. For example, if you want to participate in a poker tournament where the buy-in is $9+1, you will receive 150 rewards points. Collect points and you can get to the Bodog Diamond stage.

Read the full Bodog Poker review.

Screenshots

TigerGaming Poker

Tiger Gaming

• Bonus Package:100% Poker Welcome Bonus
• Recommended Bonus:100% up to C$1,000
• Bonus Code:NEWTG
• Last Checked:November 2020
• Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops

TigerGaming has been around since 1999 but still hasn’t entered the mainstream poker world as one of the biggest poker sites. However, that doesn’t make it any less trusted than other poker sites — it is still a great choice for both experienced and new players.

Some countries can not use the TigerGaming site, but residents of the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and more are granted access.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Like many other online poker sites, TigerGaming has a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods to choose from — Bitcoin, Visa, Mastercard, Ripple, Skrill, and others. The minimum deposit limit goes from $10 for Skrill to $1000 for bank wire transfers. The maximum deposit limit is $2,500 for credit cards, $50,000 for Bitcoin, while there’s no limit for bank wire transfers.

The maximum withdrawal limit on poker winnings is $3,000 per week. Apart from other payment methods, you can withdraw money using a bank wire transfer to withdraw a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $3,000 or Bitcoin where the minimum is $20 and the maximum is the same as for the wire transfer.

There are no credit or debit cards available for payouts.

Security and Software

TigerGaming takes care of its players, providing them with a safe and carefree environment to enjoy playing games. Its poker rooms are part of the Chico poker network — which means guaranteed smooth play and excellent graphics for a whirlwind experience.

Best Canadian Online Poker Sites

TigerGaming uses Thot Management B. V. and has a valid Curacao e-gaming licence N 5536/JAZ. The players shouldn’t worry about their security and personal information since the online site is as safe as they come.

Bonuses

All the promotions and bonuses are focused on specific TigerGaming’s games. Poker newcomers will get a 100% deposit bonus of $50 or more.

Experienced players are also taken care of with weekly promotions and cash races where they can win up to $10,000. If you want to try out your luck like me, you can go for the jackpot and maybe win a 5,000x your buy-in.

Read the full TigerGaming Poker Review

Screenshots

888 Poker

888 Poker

• Bonus Package:C$88 Free – No Deposit
• Recommended Bonus:100% up to C$400
• Bonus Code:WELCOME100
• Last Checked:November 2020
• Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops

888poker takes pride in being the fastest-growing online poker site in the industry. They have more than 10 million registered users playing on hundreds of ‘play money’ tables. 888poker has been in the business for more than 20 years, and it has gained an impeccable reputation among players in multiple countries.

Residents of the US, UK, and Canada can play poker online in 888poker in a safe and secure gaming environment.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

There are plenty of deposit and withdrawal options in 888poker. They are offering 13 options that can be used for both deposits and withdrawals and 19 options that are only suitable for deposits.

Among the 13 options for both deposits and withdrawals, you can find all the most common methods, such as Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, and others. The deposit limit can vary, but it is usually around $10.

The same goes for withdrawals, the limit depends on the method you choose. The minimum withdrawal limit varies between $10 and $25. Also, for more significant amounts, 888poker has the right to verify your account. You cannot withdraw more than $50,000 in one month.

Security and Software

Being present in the online gaming market for 20+ years, 888poker has its own software. The software has gone through many upgrades to become high-tech, but it’s still easy to use. One of their best features that immediately grabbed my attention was the graphics, along with animations.

888poker has top-notch security — your information and transaction are always safe. They use 128-bit SSL technology to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Bonuses

888poker can be generous with their bonuses, primarily if you’re based in Canada. At the moment, they are offering their Canadian players a $88 free no deposit bonus package.

Also, if you are a new player, you will get a 100% bonus up to $400 on your first deposit with the code WELCOME100.

However, this bonus comes in $10 instalments, so every time you collect 100 bonus points, you’ll get a $10 poker bonus.

Read the full 888 Poker Review

Screenshots

PartyPoker

Party Poker

• Bonus Package:Free Play Poker
• Recommended Bonus:C$40 Free Play
• Bonus Code:Not required – Use link
• Last Checked:November 2020
• Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops

PartyPoker is one of the few selected and trusted brands in online gaming. It offers fast-paced poker and gives the players a chance to qualify for the World Poker Tour events. Their mobile app is one of the best on the market, and it’s ideal for playing poker on the go.

Residents of the US, UK, Canada, France, and other countries can use their online poker site. Canadian residents have the best PartyPoker promotions offered only to them.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Canadians can use various deposit methods, such as Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, electronic transfers, instant banking, and seven other options. There are no fees for these payment options and deposit limits depend on the customer because they can set and change them anytime.

Best Canadian Gambling Sites

Regarding withdrawals, PartyPoker allows methods such as Maestro, instant banking, Visa, Skrill, and more. All minimum payouts are $10, while maximum payouts vary. Withdrawals can take up to 24h or three to five business days, depending on the method.

Security and Software

PartyPoker complies with a wide range of laws, rules, standards, and regulations throughout various jurisdictions. Customers can rely on 28-bit SSL encryption and a five-level security system. I noticed that they also give great advice on their site about further protecting yourself and your winnings.

Since 2001, PartyPoker has been known for large pools of soft players attracted to the online poker site under the bwin.party Digital Entertainment umbrella, the world’s largest publicly listed gaming company.

Bonuses

There are not many welcome bonuses in PartyPoker, but they make up for it with many attractive promotions. They offer a $30 free bonus on your first deposit of $10 or more.

However, their poker promotions are much more diverse. PartyPoker has a daily cash boom where poker players can win up to $12,000. Also, there are various tournaments poker players can enter with a chance to win up to one million dollars. Regular players can also get up to 40% cashback rewards every week if they first earn a minimum of 25 points.

Read the full PartyPoker Review

Screenshots

Bet365 Poker

Bet365 Poker

• Bonus Package:New Player Bonus
• Recommended Bonus:€365 (Equivalent in CAD)
• Bonus Code:Not required – Use link
• Last Checked:November 2020
• Compatible on:Mobiles, laptops, desktops

One of the most popular poker sites and a familiar name among bettors, Bet365 is an international experience. The online site features a lot of action, regular promotions, and an excellent customer service team. The quality of play I experienced is unprecedented and the number of poker variants is a must-see.

There are a few countries on Bet365’s list of restricted countries, but if you’re from the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, etc. you are welcome to play.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Canadians have a few deposit options, a bit less than on previous online poker sites, but still, plenty to satisfy most customers. You can use Visa, Mastercard, InstaDebit, iDebit, Paysafecard, Visa checkout, or a bank wire transfer.

Best Canadian Online Poker Sites

The minimum deposit is $10 for every method except InstaDebit and iDebit, where it’s $20, and via bank wire transfer where it’s $75. Maximum deposit limits vary from $400 with Paysafecard to $200,000 via bank wire transfers.

Withdrawals can be performed with Visa, Mastercard, InstaDebit, iDebit, and bank transfers. There are no fees for any of these methods and payout limits can vary. For example, with Visa and Mastercard, you can withdraw $10 to $40,000, while you can withdraw from $50 to $50,000 with a bank wire transfer.

Security and Software

Bet365 poker is on the iPoker network, which guarantees a great cash-game and tournament volume with regular promotions. Bet365 poker offers a number of newly upgraded poker variants, so there are plenty of games for both newcomers and experienced players.

Best Canadian Poker Sites

Bet365 offers additional security by providing each player with a four-digit security number. You have to enter the four-digit number before you can take any action regarding your betting account to verify your identity and prevent any possible security breaches.

Bonuses

On this site, you’ll get one of the best welcome bonuses for new players — $365. The payout comes in $2.50 installments as you earn Status Points. Also, Bet365 offers a Welcome Prize Wheel Spin with a chance to win $100 in cash.

When I visited the site, Bet365 offered a couple of promotions but not a lot for online poker. Bet365 focuses its promotions on sports bets more. However, there are many poker tournaments such as Bet365 Speed Poker and Bet365 Poker 6+ Holdem that are worth a try.

Read the full Bet365 Poker Review

Screenshots

Legal Situation Regarding Canadian Poker Sites

Canadian gambling falls under provincial jurisdiction. However, the Internet doesn’t know about boundaries. Additionally, each province determines its own gambling rules and regulations.

Countless online offshore gambling sites accept bets from Canada. There isn’t anything specific in Canada’s criminal code that forbids betting on offshore sites. Although offshore gambling continues to be in the grey area, Canada can easily decide to enforce new laws against offshore poker sites.

The most important thing is that Canadians can play poker online legally if they are playing on offshore sites. However, if you want to own and operate a Canada-based online poker site, you must go through several procedures to obtain a gambling licence. Without a licence, one cannot legally offer any gambling service to residents of Canada.

In case you’re not sure which online poker sites offer the best playing conditions and guaranteed payments and include no tricks or scams, I’ll recommend a few of my favourite ones.

Top Canadian Deposit and Withdrawal Options

When it comes to depositing and withdrawing your funds for real-time gameplay, you want to use a site that offers deposits and withdraws in your home currency and makes the entire process easy and straightforward. The poker sites that I recommend offer all of these points and many different deposit and withdrawal options in CAD.

The popular favorites include debit and credit card, bank transfer (BACS), wire transfer, e-wallet, PayPal, Skrill, and even Bitcoin in some cases. When it comes time to take your winnings, the sites that I recommend offer a swift and streamlined system of collecting funds which are quick and easy to do. Most withdrawals will show up in your elected account within three business days.

Security is my top priority when I thoroughly test online poker rooms for Canada and my review criteria also extends to the protection of your personal banking details and other information. You can rest assured with knowledge that my recommended sites have the very best in up to date security features and will never release your information to third parties.

Making your first deposit is very easy and the sites I have tested all offer a fantastic welcome bonus in addition to first deposit bonus which matches your first deposit with real money to be played on the games that they offer. In most cases, you can get into the action with a minimum deposit of 5-10 CAD.

How I Rank Canadian Online Poker Sites

Choosing a trustworthy and safe online poker room is vitally important and your personal safety is my number one concern. I vigorously test 100’s of online poker sites so that I can recommend the very best and equip you with all of the information to make the best decision. There are a large number of sites that don’t operate best practice and I have spent countless hours ensuring that those sites are canceled out so that I only recommend the safest and highest pay-out sites available.

Best Canadian Online Poker Sites

In addition to the stringent safety tests that I perform on my recommended sites, I have also put an incredible amount of emphasis on other testing criteria such as payout ratio and bonuses. This is to ensure that you are receiving the most amount of money possible and keeping the odds in your favor. This separate the Canadian no deposit bonus poker sites that I recommend from the others because the odds advertised are tested and confirmed by yours truly.

The sites that I recommend also operate on a lower wagering requirement to keep things fair for all players and not price players out of the market by only offering games that require larger bets to take part in. This creates a much better value to you as a player because the sites I recommend offer the ability for everyone to play and win real money regardless of deposit and amount wagered.

Best Welcome Bonus For Canadians

One of the many reasons why I recommend certain poker sites is because they offer the best Welcome Bonuses around. These bonus amounts aren’t exactly life-changing sums, but they’re most certainly welcomed and will give you even more chances at winning the massive jackpots that could potentially change your lives forever!

These bonuses are also an excellent way for players just starting out to get a better feel of the games available without spending much of their own money.

Is It Legal to Gamble in Canadian Online Poker Sites?

Absolutely! – Online poker sites in Canada are heavily regulated by the provincial government and each province has its own set of laws and regulations when it comes to sites that operate above board. That being said, it is still possible to operate without a full set of licenses so that is why it is vital that you only play on fully licensed sites which are regulated by the government and have been thoroughly tested by me.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is completely legal. Gambling revenue accounts for a large part of the Canadian economy so keeping those funds coming in is important to the government.

Some things to look out for are ratings and reviews from players or independent reviewers. This is usually a good sign as to how the site operates. Also look out for high payout ratios and regular winners. Lastly, look for a variety of game variants because the better sites offer a larger selection of games and change things once in a while to keep gameplay fresh.

Good question – all the information about where to find the best online poker sites in Canada are right here in this article. That was lucky, wasn’t it?