I’m Kyle Anderson, PokerNews ambassador and Ontario resident. Here is an update on everything that’s both happened and is coming up in the Ontario poker world.
Remember, ON players can legally play real money poker in Ontario, so PokerNews has come up with a list of the very best online poker sites in the Canadian province. Access real poker sites and play different games with poker players within the state.
What are the big issues and stories on everyone’s minds? Let’s get into it.
Online Poker News
PokerStars Ontario is finishing up its Winter Series, which concludes on February 3. The $300 buy-in, $175K GTD Main Event is on February 2, so there’s still time to qualify and also play the last few events before the series concludes.
GGPoker Ontario is wrapping up its Micro Festival Series on February 2 with a $21 buy-in Mystery Bounty Main Event that boasts a $100K GTD. Now, it is the final stage and you have to qualify via the Stage 1 flights, running multiple times daily. Do check them out.
Over at Global Poker, they just kicked off the Grizzly Games Series that’ll run through February 16. It is one of their biggest series of the year, and they have over 987 million Gold Coins guaranteed, as well as 2.2 million Sweep Coins guaranteed. There are over 216 trophies to be won in various variants of poker, as well as low, medium, and high events. You can compete for the leaderboard or even the Player of the Series. I’ll be streaming most of the series live on my Twitch channel.
Live Poker News
There is some big news coming in the live tournament poker scene here in Ontario.
The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto and GGPoker have announced a new exclusive partnership that makes GGPoker the official sponsor of The Poker Room. That means the Great Canadian Casino Toronto will be the only host venue for WSOP tournaments in Ontario, which include both bracelet and ring events. The companies added that The Poker Room will soon offer enhanced experiences and amenities such as upgraded TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a new players’ lounge.
The partnership follows the resounding success of Toronto’s first-ever WSOP Circuit Event, hosted last spring in collaboration with GGPoker. Over 11 unforgettable days in March, more than 6,000 entries, including 324 Main Event online qualifiers from GGPoker, competed for a record-breaking prize pool of $5.5 million. This far exceeded the initial $3.9 million estimate, underscoring the immense popularity of poker in Toronto. The various tournaments included the $2,000 Main Event with a prize pool of $2.8 million and the $3,500 High Roller event with a $1 million prize pool.
“This partnership will combine the best of live and online poker, offering players premier tournaments, unmatched rewards and solidifying Ontario as a hub for world-class poker.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with GGPoker to deliver a world-class poker experience,” said Michael Kim, Executive Vice President, Great Canadian Entertainment. “This collaboration ups the ante on Toronto’s poker offerings giving players access to the top tournaments and rewards, and cements Great Canadian Toronto as the go-to destination for a world-class poker experience in the city.”
“We are excited to partner with Great Canadian to elevate the poker experience in Toronto,” said Sarne Lightman, Managing Director of GGPoker. “This partnership will combine the best of live and online poker, offering players premier tournaments, unmatched rewards and solidifying Ontario as a hub for world-class poker.”
The dates for the 2025 WSOP event at the Toronto resort will be announced soon. Stay tuned for more information, but this is an exciting development here in Ontario for live poker.
Over at Casino Niagara, they’re hosting their $1,000 buy-in Winter Main Event running February 18-21. The tournament features two starting flights with Day 1a on February 18 followed by Day 1b on February 19, both starting at 12:30 p.m. ET. The surviving players from both flights will then return for Day 2 on February 20, and if needed, a Day 3 will be held on February 21.
Online Poker Ontario: Best Real Money Poker Sites
Ontario Live Poker Tournament Schedule
| Date | Venue | Event | Time (EDT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, February 2 | Caesars Windsor | $150 No Limit Hold’em | 2:15PM |
| Tuesday, February 4 | Pickering Casino Resort (Two) | $210 Turbo No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM start for 1, 8:30PM start for 2 |
| Wednesday, February 5 | Casino Niagara | $275 No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM |
| Wednesday, February 5 | Pickering Casino Resort | $575 No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM |
| Friday, February 7 | Casino Niagara | $340 No Limit Hold’em $100 Bounty | 4:30PM |
| Friday, February 7 | Caesars Windsor | $245 Bounty No Limit Hold’em | 6:15PM |
| Sunday, February 9 | Caesars Windsor | $150 No Limit Hold’em | 2:15PM |
| Tuesday, February 11 | Pickering Casino Resort | $310 Turbo Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM |
| Wednesday, February 12 | Pickering Casino Resort | $575 Bounty No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM |
| Wednesday, February 12 | Casino Niagara | $275 No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM |
| Friday, February 14 | Casino Niagara | $340 No Limit Hold’em $100 Bounty | 4:30PM |
| Friday, February 14 | Caesars Windsor | $245 Bounty No Limit Hold’em | 6:15PM |
| Sunday, February 16 | Caesars Windsor | $150 No Limit Hold’em | 2:15PM |
| Tuesday, February 18 | Pickering Casino Resort (Two) | $210 Turbo No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM start for 1, 8:30PM start for 2 |
| Tuesday, February 18 | Casino Niagara | $1,000 Winter Main Event Flight A (Day1a) No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM |
| Wednesday, February 19 | Pickering Casino Resort | $750 Deep Stack No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM |
| Wednesday, February 19 | Casino Niagara | $1,000 Winter Main Event Flight B (Day1B) No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM |
| Thursday, February 20 | Casino Niagara | $1,000 Winter Main Event Day 2 No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM |
| Friday, February 21 | Casino Niagara $1000 Winter Main Event Day 3 (if necessary) No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM | |
| Friday, February 21 | Casino Niagara $340 No Limit Hold’em $100 Bounty | 4:30PM | |
| Friday, February 21 | Caesars Windsor | $245 Bounty No Limit Hold’em | 6:15PM |
| Sunday, February 23 | Casino Niagara $550 No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM | |
| Sunday, February 23 | Caesars Windsor | $150 No Limit Hold’em | 2:15PM |
| Tuesday, February 25 | Pickering Casino Resort | $310 Bounty No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM |
| Wednesday, February 26 | Pickering Casino Resort | $575 No Limit Hold’em | 12:30PM |
| Friday, February 28 | Casino Niagara | $340 No Limit Hold’em $100 Bounty | 4:30PM |
| Friday, February 28 | Caesars Windsor | $495 Bounty No Limit Hold’em | 6:15PM |
For more on Anderson, here’s a taste of what you can expect from his stream:
Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. PokerStars Ontario operates pursuant to an agreement with iGaming Ontario.
For more information, visit the Ontario Players Homepage
