PokerStars is live in Ontario and is the latest to enter the Ontario online gambling scene.
The news came via press release Tuesday morning; however, it is still not among the listed regulated operators on iGaming Ontario. It’s probably just a matter of time (hours or even minutes) before Ontarian players could legally access the PokerStars Casino website or the app.
PokerStars no stranger to Ontario poker players
Players have long been part of PokerStars’ pool of international players and are quite familiar with the Canada online casino brand.
Playing online poker in Ontario has been a grey area since the early 2000s. The operator went legit almost three months after the Ontario government began welcoming private operators to offer online poker, casinos and sportsbooks in the province.
PokerStars 4th poker option in Ontario
PokerStars’ long-anticipated platform is now available to only Ontario poker players. The license is valid for two years, and the operator must apply for renewal before June 7, 2024.
- 888 poker was the first to launch its online poker in Ontario. So far, players have taken advantage of various casino perks, including a no deposit welcome.
- Two days after Ontario’s market launch, BetMGM Poker went live. BetMGM pokers have also participated in tournaments, Hot Tables and BetMGM Grind Rewards.
- Party Poker launched soon after the operator signed a commercial agreement with iGO on April 12. As the online casino has been live for more than a month, players there enjoy the Daily Legends tournaments with $400,000 worth of weekly guaranteed prize pools.
Several online casino operators, including giants like GGPoker (WSOP), 888 poker, Party Poker and BetMGM Poker, have completed their registration with the AGCO. While PokerStars, 888 poker, Party Poker and BetMGM Poker are live, we’re still waiting for GGPoker (WSOP) to join the (regulated) party.
What does PokerStars have up its sleeve?
Having the largest poker site, PokerStars was undoubtedly among the best online casinos operating in the grey market, attracting 200,000 players at a time. The Ontario online casino also has multiple gambling licenses worldwide, attracting millions of overall players.
Regarding PokerStars Ontario, players can participate in two types of online poker delights: ring games and tournaments. There are No-Limit Hold’em, Hold’em tournaments, cash games and more.
The casino made significant improvements in promotions and is hosting a $1 million Sunday poker tournament, guaranteeing a $10,000 prize several times per hour, daily. Players can also place bets against the casino’s elite team of pros, Team PokerStars Pro.
PokerStars Poker Casino runs on any desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone and is available for Android and iOS devices.
PokerStars first came into the limelight after hosting back-to-back WSOP champions with Chris Moneymaker in 2003 and Greg “FossilMan” Raymer in 2004. When Joseph Hachem joined PokerStars in 2005, the casino got three years of massive exposure during the poker explosion era.
Who’s behind PokerStars?
Flutter’s subsidiary, TSG Interactive Canada Inc, is the parent company of PokerStars. The brand was part of the Stars Group until Flutter Entertainment acquired it in May 2020.
PokerStars is offering its service in Ontario (and Canada) under the Canada domain.
The regulator has also authorized the operator’s casino and sportsbook domains and three mobile apps (one for each vertical).
