Ontario government is attempting to straighten out the law on whether players in the province can play versus non-Canadian players. (Images courtesy of ridersuperone on Vecteezy)
In Ontario, the newswires are rattling again as operators are unsure whether players in the Canadian province can play versus players overseas.
Currently, there is a motion being put forward that will clarify the law on whether online poker players can play in the same poker rooms as players around the globe.
The Attorney General filed a reference with the Court of Appeal on 2 February 2024. On 11 March 2024, Ontario News published the Notice of Ontario’s Reference on International Play in iGaming bulletin to confirm the reference.
A new law to allow Canadians to gamble versus players overseas will also affect other games, such as fantasy sports, but would unlikely affect online casino players.
However, in my view, there is a case whereby live dealer games like live video slots, game shows, blackjack, and other live games could also be drawn into this new debate. I don’t see why Canadians can’t play the same Mega Moolah jackpots as players overseas or sit at the same blackjack table.
That being said, so far, the main discussion appears to be on the topic of poker and fantasy sports, with no mention of other casino games.
Ontario Would Join The Same Practices As Overseas Jurisdictions
It would make sense because the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) allows players in Britain to play versus players who play at the same tables even though under a different licensing authority.
For example, 888Poker connects players under its Malta Gambling Authority (MGA) with players under the UKGC licence, plus other countries such as Germany and Sweden also connect to these same poker rooms under their respective licences, the Glücksspielbehörde (GGL) and Swedish Gaming Authority (SGA). Other online casinos that also host online poker operate in the same way as 888Poker. It would make sense to allow operators with iGO (iGaming Ontario) licence to connect their poker rooms to those under UKGC and MGA licensing to stir up more competition.
888Poker also operates under iGO. It would just be a case of the platform allowing players from its various platforms to connect to the same poker rooms. As long as a testing company has approved the RNGs that each licensing authority approves, then I see no reason why players from Ontario can’t compete versus players globally.
Ontario hosts several brands, such as PokerStars and Party Casino, which also have online poker that would reach across other jurisdictions, such as the UKGC. MGA, SGA, GGL, and other countries across the globe.
Currently, on our best Canadian online casinos page, the only AGCO (iGO) platform that offers casino and poker under the same account is 888Casino.
Some Canadian Provinces and Territories Oddly Not in Favour
Maybe someone can help me with this in the comments! I find it strange why some provinces and territories are against the idea.
The reasoning provided in a news report covering the same topic in the Yogonet Ontario overseas gambling court ruling new report is that they fear players will seek out more competitive poker or fantasy sports platforms outside of platforms with domestic licensing. Surely, these platforms can also join in?
Many of the online poker networks, like 888Casino for example, connect to other online casino brands, such as the WSOP. These platforms could enhance their current poker and fantasy sports by joining these shared platforms.
Ontario’s Argument is the Opposite
Ontario bigwigs feel that its current online poker network is not competitive enough, and players are actively seeking overseas poker platforms. As Ontario does not ban players from signing up for overseas online gambling platforms not operating under the official AGCO (Alcohol and Gambling Commission of Ontario) iGO (Ontario iGaming) licensing, players can join online poker rooms or fantasy sports books operating under MGA licensing.
888Poker, Party Poker, PokerStars, Betfair, and Unibet are all options for Ontario poker players. On top of this, these platforms offer tables populated by players across the globe.
FY 2024-25 Q1 Ontario Online Gambling Shows Decline in Poker
In my personal opinion, the Attorney General of Ontario, Doug Downey, is making the right move to better the Ontario iGaming industry’s market. The more players signing up for platforms operating under the iGO, the more tax dollars the province will earn.
If we are to go by the recently published FY 2024-25 Q1 Ontario Online Gambling stats, the province is showing a decline in online poker. Although there has been year-on-year growth of 14.9%, the 9.9% quarter-over-quarter decline shows that online poker in Ontario may be in need of a boost.
When will the hearing take place? According to the Notice of Ontario’s Reference on International Play in iGaming bulletin, the court will hear the case in November 2024. In the meantime, the scheduling order has outlined the timeline for parties wishing to intervene.
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