Best Online Poker Sites in Canada for 2024
Poker Site | Bonus | Highlight | Rating | Link to Site | T&C’s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
888poker | C$88 No Deposit | No-Deposit Bonus, WSOP Events, Wide Table Limits | Play Here! | Full T&Cs Apply. UK new players only ??£20 free bonus:?Full T&C apply?? Bonus will be granted in Tournament Tickets gradually over 7 days after the claim date ? Each Tournament Ticket will expire 24 hours after it was granted ??Deposit bonus:?Full T&C's apply?? First deposit only ? Min. deposit $10 ? The bonus will be granted in $10 chunks subject to wagering restrictions of 100 Bonus Points per chunk ? Bonus wins are capped at $500 ? Valid for selected games only, when playing Casino ? Wagering req. vary by game ? Bonus expires in 90 days | |
PartyPoker | C$40 Free Play | Cashback Program, Up to 40% Back, Respected Brand | Play Here! | Full T&Cs apply. 18+; new UK players only; min £10 deposit; £40 Free Play generated as tickets. 7-day ticket expiry.? | |
Unibet Poker | C$30 + C$1,000 Playthrough | 3D Graphics, Trusted Brand, No Download Needed | Play Here! | Full T&Cs Apply. 18+ gambleaware.org. New Customers only. Minimum Deposit £10 and Get £40 in Casino Bonus Funds. Debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, new customers must opt in and claim offer within 24 hours and use within 30 days. See full terms.? | |
Full Tilt Poker | C$30 Extra Play | Beginner Friendly, Low-Limit Games, Top Security | Play Here! | Full T&Cs apply. New players only. 18+. www.begambleaware.org. | |
Poker Stars | Up to C$600 | Most Players, Lots of Tournaments, Multi-Table Available | Play Here! | Full T&Cs Apply. Min. deposit £10 with code ‘BONUS300’. Debit card only. Wagering requirements apply. Selected Slots only. 5 redemption points per £1 to clear the bonus. Game contributions vary. 7-day expiry. Terms apply. |
As you will see, at the majority of top poker sites in Canada, you can also grab a welcome bonus. These deals often come in the form of free play cash that you can use to boost your initial play. As with any online gambling promotion, you need to be aware of the terms and conditions that are attached to a poker welcome bonus.
The Top 5 Online Poker Sites in Canada by Category
In addition to looking at the safety and security of a site, you are also best off looking at the games on offer. After all, other factors don’t matter much if you can’t play any games that you enjoy. Decent sites will offer a good range of poker variants, with Texas Hold’em being the most popular option. Here are the best poker sites available in Canada according to our reviewing criteria:
- 888Poker – Best Canada Poker Site
- Party Poker – Best Pick for Cashback Hunters
- Unibet – Best Immersive Gameplay
- Full Tilt Poker – Great Choice for New Players
- PokerStars – Biggest Poker Site Worldwide
The above list is in no way an exhaustive run down of all the online poker sites Canada players can enjoy. Rather, it’s a good starting point and should direct you to the best choice for what you’re specifically looking for. To learn how we made the above choices, keep reading.
Our Selection Criteria for Online Poker Sites
We’ve briefly mentioned our criteria already but allow us to introduce it in greater detail. Through years of reviewing experience, these are the features we always test for when on the lookout for the best poker sites Canada fans can access. It’s a tried and true method of testing for the best.
1. The Poker Online Games Offer
You don’t need to be an expert reviewer to know that the games on offer make up a big portion of what makes a poker site worthwhile. We always scan poker online games Canada libraries to ensure that the titles are of the highest quality and that there’s a good variety of games available.
As any poker fanatic will tell you, there’s a lot of variety in the world of poker, so strong representation of the game’s many variants is a must. Naturally, some casinos will favour certain variants over others. If you’re looking for where to play your favourite form of poker, check out our choices below.
- Omaha – Offered by bwin Poker
- Pot Limit Omaha – Offered by Unibet
In the table above, you’ll find our recommended sites for specific poker variants. That’s not to say that you won’t find the above variants at any other poker sites Canada wide, merely that those listed really impressed us with the games they had on offer and the quality of their service overall.
Another feature we screened for are games that straddle the poker and slots worlds. Both games are titans of online casino gameplay, and when the two come together it can be truly exciting. Therefore, you’ll also find the availability of these online poker games Canada sites reflected in our choices.
2. The Online Poker Sites Payout Rates: Rake and Rakeback
When playing any kind of casino game, it’s always crucial to pay attention to the theoretical payout. If you’re looking for the best online poker sites for real money Canada players can find, then this is the section to which you’ll need to pay the closest attention. Check out our payout findings below.
Poker Site | Texas Hold’em | Omaha | Seven-card stud | 2-7 Triple Draw | Secure Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
bwin Poker | 97.50% | 96.25% | 96.90% | 97.50% | Play Here! |
Unibet | 97.90% | 96.15% | 97.00% | 97.05% | Play Here! |
In the table above, you’ll be able to peruse the payout rates of some of the most popular poker variants across some of our top-rated casinos. As you can see, some of the RTPs are quite high, which makes poker one of the best online casino payouts.
3. Bonuses and Promotions
Bonuses are big business in the online betting world. Sites routinely offer large rewards to players simply for signing up, and poker sites are no different. Though poker-specific bonuses are less common, many regular casino welcome bonus offers can be used across poker games.
GGPoker | Up to C$1,000 | Lots of Regular Promotions | Play Here! | Full T&Cs apply. New players only. 18+. www.begambleaware.org. |
Welcome bonuses are not the be all and end all of rewards, however. You might be lucky enough to come across poker sites with no deposit in Canada, which means players can enjoy a free hand without having to pay a penny. Though rare, these offers certainly are not unheard of.
4. Mobile Poker Sites App
It’s no secret that we all spend more time on our phones nowadays than ever before, and the world of online gambling has adapted to reflect this fact. The best mobile poker sites Canada players can visit will either have a mobile-ready site or a downloadable app for both Android and iOS.
Mobile Poker Site | OS Compatibility | Mobile Bonus | Software Platform | Top Mobile Poker Game | Mobile Link |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
888Poker | iOS, Android | Up to C$88 | WSOP | Texas Hold’Em | Play on the Go |
Full T&Cs Apply. UK new players only ??£20 free bonus:?Full T&C apply?? Bonus will be granted in Tournament Tickets gradually over 7 days after the claim date ? Each Tournament Ticket will expire 24 hours after it was granted ??Deposit bonus:?Full T&C's apply?? First deposit only ? Min. deposit $10 ? The bonus will be granted in $10 chunks subject to wagering restrictions of 100 Bonus Points per chunk ? Bonus wins are capped at $500 ? Valid for selected games only, when playing Casino ? Wagering req. vary by game ? Bonus expires in 90 days | |||||
bwin Poker | iOS, Android | No Bonus | bwin Poker | Five Card Draw | Play on the Go |
Full T&Cs Apply. This offer is only available for new customers in the UK and Northern Ireland. New players must be 18+ years of age and proof of identity documents may be requested for verification purposes. GambleAware. Play responsibly. | |||||
Unibet | iOS, Android | Up to C$300 | Unibet | Pot Limit Omaha | Play on the Go |
Full T&Cs Apply. 18+ gambleaware.org. New Customers only. Minimum Deposit £10 and Get £40 in Casino Bonus Funds. Debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, new customers must opt in and claim offer within 24 hours and use within 30 days. See full terms.? |
The table above will give you a short overview of what’s available at the many online poker sites Canada players can find. To learn about mobile gambling in more detail, however, we recommend that you pop over to our casino mobile apps.
5. Poker Sites Software Platform
To put it frankly, poker sites Canada players can visit are only ever as good as its software platform. Without a solid, intuitive system, you’re not going to get very far in your game, and you likely won’t have a good time. Good software will always be easy to use and extremely user-friendly, which is what we screen for.
The best online poker Canada sites will often run on the same software or platforms. This is a good thing for players, as it means you can often play against a wide variety of players from other operators. When looking through our list of the top poker sites Canada, you’ll likely come across the following platforms:
- OnGame
- iPoker
- GG Network
- PartyPoker
- The Microgaming Network
- Winning Poker Network
In addition to providing top-of-the-line poker software, the presence of these networks and software platforms at online poker sites Canadaplayers can visit assures that the site in question is reputable. The above networks are highly respected, and only lend their wares to legitimate sites.
The Liquidity Factor
Liquidity is something we’ve briefly touched upon already with regards to poker platforms. Basically, liquidity refers to traffic on a platform coming from a variety of operators. When operators share a platform, they increase the ability for players to play against a lot of opponents. The best poker sites Canada players can find will have strong liquidity.
6. Safety: Only Trusted Poker Sites
When examining any gambling site, our primary concern is always player safety. Therefore, you will never find any risky or untrustworthy poker sites featured here. When selecting our trusted poker sites, we make sure to screen for funds protection, responsible gambling tools, brand reputation, data security and fairness always.
- 888Poker – Global Powerhouse in Gambling
- GGPoker – SSL Security Certification from DigiCert
- bwin Poker – 128-bit SSL Encryption
- Unibet – Trustwave Encryption Software
The above online poker sites Canada players can access have all met our high standards for safety and security and present no risks to players.
7. Tables, Sit and Go and Tournaments
Another key feature we screen for when seeking the best sites to play poker Canada, or elsewhere, is the number of tables and the variety of tournaments. Naturally, table number is important. It’s all well and good if a site is buzzing with activity, but if you can’t find a free table you won’t get in on the action.
Ideally, tables and tournaments should cater to a wide number of players and allow players to play and go as they please. In this sense, the biggest online poker sites operate something akin to Canadian bingo sites, in that traffic can pass smoothly and frequently.
8. The Range of Payment Methods
The other major things to be aware of are the table limits offered on an online poker site and the various payment methods that are accepted by the operator. Make sure that the table limits available suit your budget, as should never pressurize yourself to bet more than you want, just to play a game. Equally, it’s far from ideal to have to sign up to a new payment service just to use at a site that won’t accept your favourite credit card or e-wallet.
Bwin Poker | No Welcome Bonus | Best Poker Site Deposits + Withdrawals | Play Here! | Full T&Cs Apply. This offer is only available for new customers in the UK and Northern Ireland. New players must be 18+ years of age and proof of identity documents may be requested for verification purposes. GambleAware. Play responsibly. |
One important consideration when choosing which payment method to use at a Canadian poker site is that not all deposits by all payment types will trigger a bonus. Often e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill will not trigger a bonus, so check the bonus fine print before making your first transaction.
9. The Players
Apart from the potential winnings, a big part of why we flock to online poker sites Canada and beyond is the players. A strong user base means you won’t have to wait too long to start playing and will also ensure a steady flow of new people to play against, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting.
Between tournaments and the liquidity of platforms, you’ll have no shortage of opponents at our recommended poker sites. The communal aspect of the game really is one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable features, so don’t underestimate it on your search for a quality operator.
10. Special VIP Levels
Last but certainly not least among the features we scan for is special VIP levels. If you’re familiar with any kind of gambling site, you’ll already be aware that there are often VIP perks available for frequent players. In this regard, the top pokers sites featured on this page are no different.
At many of the operators we’ve listed here, you can expect rewards for loyalty. More often than not, these are accessed automatically through an in-built point system. Accruing a certain amount of points will net you rewards like exclusive tournaments or monetary bonuses, so keep an eye out.
Licensing and Regulation
The first thing to say here is that online poker sites can’t be based in Canada. The only exception to this is if they are based in the First-nation territory of Kahnawake. So, although it is entirely legal to play poker online, you will generally need to do so on international sites. The first thing to look at when considering a site is where it is based and where it is licensed. Certification from respected authorities like United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) and The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is an excellent sign of quality and trustworthiness.
New Poker Sites in Canada
The popularity of poker online often dictates the appearance of new operators. Currently, online poker is enjoying a great deal of success, and as such new sites are being launched all the time. It can be difficult to keep up with new poker sites Canada players can visit, so we’ve been keeping tabs on the latest.
New Poker Site | Bonus Offer | Highlights | Rating | Secure Link | T&C’s |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
GGPoker | Up to C$1,000 | Huge Promotions | Play Here! | Full T&Cs apply. New players only. 18+. www.begambleaware.org. |
The above refers solely to the best new poker sites. Naturally, the above table will be updated frequently to reflect new arrivals on the scene.
Poker Sites to Avoid in Canada
We can’t offer an exhaustive list of the top poker sites, as we’d be here all day. However, if you decide against playing at our recommended operators and go in search of poker sites on your own, we do strongly recommend that you stay away from some of the following sites:
- ? LockPoker
- ? Absolute Poker
- ? OddsPoker
- ? Chico Poker
- ? Luck3
- ? CardSpike
The sites above have received poor reviews and, in some cases, heavy penalties for putting their players at risk with their dodgy practices. There are plenty of rewarding, enjoyable and safe operators on the market. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable by playing at a shady site.
History
Poker has long been a game favoured by Canadians for its interesting strategic gameplay – since the 19th century, in fact. The game was outlawed in the late 1890s, though, as part of a sweeping reform against gambling in the country. However, in the 1970s, changes implemented to the Canadian Criminal Code allowed individual provinces to regulate games of chance in order to combat underground and mafia-run gambling dens.
The first land-based casino in Canada opened in Winnipeg in 1989 and a string of others followed shortly thereafter. In 1999, all remnants of the 1890s ban on gambling were lifted. This set the groundwork for gaming in Canada as we know it today and coincided with the poker boom of the early 2000s, turning poker into one of the most popular games in the country.
Online poker in Canada is also quite popular, though there are question marks around the legality of some online poker rooms. Since Canadian First Nations peoples have been allowed to operate gambling halls on their territories for many years, tribes like the Kahnawà:ke Gaming Commission provide many online operators with licences. However, in the eyes of Canadian authorities, these are considered offshore providers.
Even though this is a legal loophole, Canadian authorities historically allow operators and players the freedom to gamble as they wish. To prevent revenue from leaving the country via offshore brands, provinces began to explore operating online casinos as part of the local lottery. British Columbia became the first province to do so, thereby closing the loophole in 2012. Other provinces like Quebec quickly followed suit, providing players with the ability to play 100% within the law. Canada is a hotbed for poker talent and produces some of the most popular professional players on the circuit. 2010 WSOP Main Event winner Jonathan Duhamel is from Boucherville, Quebec. Arguably the most famous poker player in the world, Daniel Negreanu, hails from Toronto. Other popular Canadian poker players include Isabelle Mercier, Timothy Adams and Jaime Staples.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an alternative to online poker sites, check out our guide to the top operators for casino poker. Or, you can jump back to our best casino sites in Canada if you would like to find other options. If you’re looking for a simpler way to play the game, you can investigate the video poker games or potentially the poker at real-dealer live casinos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully this page has given you a good introduction to the best online poker sites available in Canada, and which bonuses you can use when signing up. However, we know that you might still have some questions needing answered. We have collected the most frequently asked below and given you some answers.
Which is the best poker site in Canada?
While we can’t tell you categorically which the best poker site in Canada is, we can certainly give you some recommendations of what we believe to be the top options. You can see our top-five list here, along with guidance of how to judge sites.
Can you play at PokerStars in Canada?
Yes, you can play at PokerStars in Canada. The site has never been illegal in Canada, despite the controversy and legal proceedings that occurred in the USA a few years ago. Furthermore, the company behind the site has worked extremely hard since then to improve and ensure that the service is exemplary. Find out more information about PokerStars.
Which online poker site is best suited for beginners?
This is a difficult question to answer, as it depends on what your budget is and what you are personally looking for from your poker site. However, looking at all factors, we think that the best online poker site for beginners in Canada is Full Tilt Poker.
Which poker variant is best to play online in Canada?
Texas Hold'em is the most common and popular variant to be found on online poker sites in Canada. However, there are lots of other options that you'll find. Especially if you try big sites like 888poker.
The List of Poker Sites in Canada
This page is intended to introduce you to the best poker sites currently on the market. For further information on any of the sites featured here, we recommend checking the operators out for yourself or clicking across to the dedicated reviews we’ve written, which you can find in the below list of poker sites Canada.
Casino | Bonus | Recommendation | T&Cs |
---|---|---|---|
888Poker | C$88 | Play Here! | Full T&Cs Apply. UK new players only ??£20 free bonus:?Full T&C apply?? Bonus will be granted in Tournament Tickets gradually over 7 days after the claim date ? Each Tournament Ticket will expire 24 hours after it was granted ??Deposit bonus:?Full T&C's apply?? First deposit only ? Min. deposit $10 ? The bonus will be granted in $10 chunks subject to wagering restrictions of 100 Bonus Points per chunk ? Bonus wins are capped at $500 ? Valid for selected games only, when playing Casino ? Wagering req. vary by game ? Bonus expires in 90 days |
Full Tilt Poker | C$30 | Play Here! | Full T&Cs apply. New players only. 18+. www.begambleaware.org. |
Unibet Poker | C$30 | Play Here! | Full T&Cs Apply. 18+ gambleaware.org. New Customers only. Minimum Deposit £10 and Get £40 in Casino Bonus Funds. Debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, new customers must opt in and claim offer within 24 hours and use within 30 days. See full terms.? |
Poker Stars | C$600 | Play Here! | Full T&Cs Apply. Min. deposit £10 with code ‘BONUS300’. Debit card only. Wagering requirements apply. Selected Slots only. 5 redemption points per £1 to clear the bonus. Game contributions vary. 7-day expiry. Terms apply. |
Party Poker | C$40 | Play Here! | Full T&Cs apply. 18+; new UK players only; min £10 deposit; £40 Free Play generated as tickets. 7-day ticket expiry.? |