Having launched in Ontario on June 28 2022, PokerStars has officially come full circle. As managing director, Tom Warren, put it "In many respects Ontario is our home market given the first ever hand was played here over 20 years ago."
Now offering casino, poker and sports betting in a new regulated environment overseen by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the Ontario PokerStars site is one of the most promising online casinos around. In this review, we'll look at what Ontario's online gambling market can expect from the launch, along with how to easily transfer your account.
While this review will focus on PokerStars online casino offering, the brand's poker room will go live with the Ontario Platinum Series. The event will run from July 10-18 and will feature many great perks available exclusively to Ontario players.
PokerStars Ontario offers full registration for its poker, casino and sports betting services in a few easy clicks. Existing players will be able to migrate their account in five simple steps, with their balance being automatically transferred and converted into CAD.
Having launched in a regulated environment, PokerStars Ontario users can play with complete peace of mind. All casino games are certified as fair and random by iGaming Ontario, meaning the house never holds an unfair advantage.
While we'll be focusing on the casino offering, there's no doubt PokerStars has a heavy focus on Ontario poker players. In addition to cash games and regular Sunday Majors, the site will offer an exclusive "Platinum Series" in the Canadian province.
Having launched on June 28, 2022, PokerStars is one of four "poker casino" sites available to ON residents. The first poker hand was played in the province 20 years ago, so in many respects, the motto "Ontario is our home" rings true.
To prepare for the launch, owners Flutter Entertainment entered an operating agreement with Maple Leaf Sports, with this being part of an ongoing strategy to offer locally-focused content. As such, it's one of the most exciting Ontario online casino platforms available.
With PokerStars providing a regulated offering in its home market since June 28, 2022, Flutter International has made it easy for players to get started. Full registration for poker, casino and sportsbook is available via quick migration, subject to the following restrictions:
Whether you're a new or existing customer, registering at PokerStars couldn't be simpler. In order to open your PokerStars Ontario account, just complete the following steps:
Having just entered a new regulated environment, our Ontario PokerStars ratings rank the site against other operators in the province. You can read how the brand scored below.
As a registered operator in Ontario, PokerStars offers casino, poker and sports betting in a safe and fun environment. Across the board, the site has an average RTP of around 95%, with these figures being verified as fair and transparent by iGaming Ontario.
PokerStars offers a variety of casino and poker games for both real and play money. On sign-up, players will receive 35,000 chips which can be used to try the following options:
PokerStars is currently home to dozens of table games including Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Casino Poker. Online blackjack options include Premium and High Roller, while both European and American Roulette is offered.
Of the 1,000+ titles at PokerStars, roughly 900 are online slots. Popular titles include Doghouse Megaways, Wolf Gold and Cleopatra, but there are also several exclusives and a handful of progressive jackpot games too.
Being an Ontario registered operator, PokerStars provides a thrilling experience to players through its partnerships with the following software providers:
There are currently over 30 progressive jackpot titles available at PokerStars Ontario. Some of the prize pools on offer include the Stars Sunday Jackpot and the Flash Series, both of which are exclusive to the site and offer players the chance to win potentially six-figure payouts.
For a more immersive experience, PokerStars Casino Ontario also offers a full suite of live dealer options.
Available around the clock, these games are streamed live from dedicated studios and enable players to interact with friendly and professional dealers in real time.
Popular games include Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Casino Poker, but players will also find live casino game shows including Adventures Beyond Wonderland and The Money Drop.
PokerStars mobile casino apps are available on desktop, iOS and Android and give Ontario players access to the full range of poker, casino and sports betting options. Developed with mobile players in mind, the apps offer simple touch-screen navigation and adaptive displays.
How to Download:
From your first deposit to future withdrawals, moving money on PokerStars Ontario is easy. You can find a full list of available payment options below.
All casino payment methods at PokerStars Ontario can be used for both deposits and withdrawals. Withdrawals usually take between 3 and 10 days, with cards and eWallets being the fastest. Cash outs start from C$10 and players will never be charged any fees.
Given the first real money poker hand at PokerStars was played in Ontario some 20 years ago, players can be sure they're dealing with a reputable brand. The fact the site has now acquired an Ontario gaming license is an enormous achievement and ensures customers can play in a safe and regulated environment. Be it poker or casino, all games are independently verified as being fair and random and the site uses secure 128-bit SSL encryption to protect player data.
PokerStars offers a variety of tools to ensure players are safe and supported. The site features a responsible gaming page where customers can learn more about problem gambling and impose restrictions on their account, while support can be reached 24/7 using an email contact form.
Given the huge growth in poker traffic PokerStars has experienced in recent years, it's not a huge surprise the site doesn't offer live chat. Although this is a major omission, support staff are available for poker and casino 24/7 via email. In our experience, support agents at the site are both knowledgeable and punctual with their responses, while FAQs are also available.
PokerStars is committed to protecting both the personal and financial data of all poker and casino customers. Should players wish to learn more about the site's data protection policy, they can read it in full in the FAQ section.
On the responsible gaming page, you'll find guidance on how to minimise the risks of problem gambling. Whether you're a poker or casino player, there are links to three problem gambling charities, plus instructions on how you can set limits and opt-in for self-exclusion.
With poker, casino and sports betting now legal in Ontario, all sites wishing to operate in the province must obtain local licensing. This means age verification and geolocation checks must be passed in order for you to play, but once logged in, you can rest assured your experience will be safe and secure. You can read more about online gambling in Canada here.
Having dealt their first real money poker hand in Ontario over 20 years ago, PokerStars is a brand that players know and trust. The Ontario site is operated by TSG Interactive Canada, which is registered in the province under license number 1000044052.
Despite being better known for its poker tournaments and cash games, PokerStars is slowly but surely building a dedicated casino fanbase. The Ontario version of the site already boasts a vast collection of over 1,000 games, with more certain to be added in future. Couple this with an outstanding reputation for trust and fairness and a wide range of quick and reliable payment options and its clear the site is going to be a great addition to the Ontario market.
All articles at Gambling.com are written by a team of experts with decades of experience in the online casino industry. Our impartial scoring system ensures the accuracy of all reviews, allowing you to make informed choices about where to spend your entertainment dollar.
Yes. PokerStars is licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and offers a fully regulated platform. In many respects Ontario is the site's home market given the first ever hand at PokerStars was played there roughly 20 years ago.
PokerStars became available to Ontario players on June 28 2022. Announced by Flutter Entertainment CEO Dan Taylor, the launch was part of an ongoing strategy to provide a thrilling experience in more regulated markets worldwide.
The minimum age for Ontario online gambling is 19+ and players will have to confirm this on registration. If they already have a PokerStars account, the local restrictions will take precedence once an Ontario migration has been completed.
Yes. Ontario poker players and casino fans will be able to access PokerStars via apps on both iOS and Android. These can be found in the App or Play store respectively, but download links are also available on-site.
Yes. As Ontario online casinos are locally licensed, players must be situated within the province to play. While residency isn't a requirement per se, you'll need to enter an ON address while registering.
When you play at PokerStars Ontario online casino, you know you're betting with a name you can trust. On the site, you'll have access to sports bets, poker and casino games, with loyalty rewards providing plenty of incentives for customers.