Playtech And NorthStar Bets Bringing Online Poker Network To Ontario

Written By Katarina Vojvodic on June 23, 2022 - Last Updated on June 29, 2022
Full deck of cards for playing poker and casino. Plytech and NorthStar Bets to bring online poker network to Ontario

More online poker options are coming to Ontario players.

Playtech, a major gambling software company, is partnering with Toronto-based NorthStar Bets to create a poker network in the Ontario online gambling market later this year. Other Playtech licensees could join, including Coolbet and Bet365.

NorthStar Bets to launch Ontario online poker first

As NorthStar’s strategic software and services supplier, Playtech delivers its IMS platform, casino and live casino services to Ontario.

NorthStar Bets will launch Ontario online poker later this year.

For Playtech, launching its new software and services with NorthStar marks a milestone in the company’s North American strategy.

As Playtech’s COO, Shimon Akad, pointed out in a press release:

“Essential to Playtech’s success is our ability to form key strategic partnerships with industry leading [sic] operators around the world. NorthStar Bets is uniquely positioned to become one of Ontario’s premier operators, and we’re delighted to be working alongside them to build a market leading [sic] responsible gambling proposition.”

The company continues to work with partners to establish an Ontario online poker network.

NorthStar to launch Playtech’s full online gambling stack

Torstar’s NorthStar Bets currently only operates in Ontario. With the recent Playtech IMS platform and casino technology rollout, NorthStar Bet’s offerings significantly expanded.

The latest addition includes Playtech’s robust back-end and live casino services.

Michael Moskowitz, CEO at NorthStar Gaming said:

“NorthStar Bets puts consumers at the centre of an immersive and content-driven experience. Our partnership with Playtech means that we are able to deliver an engaging and enjoyable online experience with the highest level of player protection.

Consumers are looking for content that caters to their individual preferences and interests, and alongside Playtech’s unrivalled multichannel technology, we are uniquely positioned to become a leader in the Canadian iGaming market.”

So far, NorthStar Bets went live with Playtech’s software for online and mobile sports betting. But Canada’s homegrown company plans to launch Playtech’s complete portfolio.

Chances of expanding online poker network low

The challenge for Ontario players is that sharing traffic is currently a no-go.

Canadian federal law doesn’t expressly prohibit online gambling. But it does state provincial governments must conduct and manage all  gambling or “lottery schemes.”

Since the Alcohol and Gaming Commission’s regulations do not permit traffic sharing with sites outside of Ontario, NorthStar may end up on its own.

But, having an iPoker platform in Ontario might prompt other operators to join the network and add their offerings to the mix. As mentioned, Coolbet and Bet365, which both operate legally in the province, could also bring poker to Ontario.

Photo by Shutterstock
Katarina Vojvodic Avatar
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Katarina Vojvodic

Katarina is a Toronto-based online gambling writer who holds a master's degree in journalism. Before joining PlayCanada, she was part of the AskGamblers crew where she reported about the world of online casinos and interviewed numerous iGaming experts. Being in the industry for 5 years, she became an expert in online slots.

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