What's new in Ontario Poker? November 2024, Will Ontario and Alberta share poker player pools? BetRivers coming to Ontario? Casino Niagara launches Legacy tournament.

What's new in Ontario Poker
Last Updated
November 8, 2024

What's New in Ontario Poker this November 2024?

Welcome to this edition of What's New in Ontario Poker, your top source for fresh updates and exciting developments in the Ontario poker world. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a recreational player, staying in the know about the latest live events, online tournaments, and special promotions can give you a valuable edge. This month, we're highlighting key stories that every Ontario poker enthusiast should know about, including potential developments in liquidity sharing between Ontario and Alberta, the anticipated arrival of BetRivers in Ontario, the ongoing GGpoker Micro Millions series, and the upcoming Legacy Tournament at Casino Niagara. Dive in to stay ahead of the game and make the most of these exciting opportunities in the Ontario poker scene!

Ontario May Be Linking Up with Alberta to Share Player Pools

Alberta and Ontario might share player pools

A historic shift could be in the cards for Canadian poker players as Ontario and Alberta explore the possibility of creating a shared player pool. Alberta recently reformed its gaming laws to potentially allow private online poker operators, mirroring Ontario’s setup. This development opens the door for the two provinces to collaborate, enabling players from each region to compete in shared tournaments and cash games. Such a partnership would offer larger prize pools, greater player variety, and potentially higher stakes for Canadian players.This move could be majorly profitable for Ontario grinders who could profit from a Alberta poker boom as recreational players line up to try to newly regulated market, similar as what happened in Ontario. With all the oil money and higher levels of disposable income in that province, it is surely to be a boon.

However, there’s another aspect to Ontario’s ambitions for liquidity sharing: Ontario courts are soon set to decide whether the province can rejoin the global online poker pool, which would allow Ontario players to compete internationally. This decision has significant implications; while rejoining the global pool would enhance game selection and total prize pools, we argue that it might jeopardize Ontario’s carefully cultivated local market. This legal question adds an extra layer of complexity to Ontario’s liquidity plans. One thing is for certain, 2025 is shaping to be a defining year for the future of Online Poker in Ontario.

BetRivers Launches in Pennsylvania, Ontario Debut Expected Soon

As BetRivers expands its reach across the United States, it recently launched its online poker and casino operations in Pennsylvania, sparking speculation that Ontario may be next in line. Rush Street Interactive, the parent company of BetRivers, has made significant strides in regulated U.S. markets, gaining a reputation for solid user experience and competitive promotions. Given Ontario’s growing appetite for more poker operators, BetRivers’ entry could be imminent. If it joins Ontario’s roster, BetRivers would add another dynamic option for local players, possibly offering a mix of cash games, tournaments, and exclusive events. Industry insiders believe BetRivers' Ontario debut would likely bring more competition to the market, benefiting players with additional promotions, unique game variants, and better overall gaming options

Betrivers coming to Ontario?

Ontario Poker Revenues Remain Robust

Ontario’s poker market has continued to perform strongly since it was regulated in April 2022. Revenue figures show that the province’s online poker ecosystem is maintaining steady growth, fueled by a dedicated player base and diverse operator options. While early adoption saw a surge of player interest, recent months have shown consistent performance that points to a sustainable, mature market. The existing platforms like PokerStars, GGPoker, 888Poker and PartyPoker are instrumental in this success, offering excellent tournament series, decent weekly events, and player loyalty programs that keep Ontario’s poker players engaged. The robust revenue trends demonstrate that Ontario's regulated poker model is not only viable but is thriving, potentially setting the stage for other provinces to follow its lead, suchas the aforementioned Alberta.

Casino Windsor Legacy Tournament

Casin- Windsor Legacy Poker Tournament

Ontario poker players are in for a treat this month with the prestigious Legacy Tournament hosted by Caesars Windsor. From November 29 to December 1, players can compete in this highly anticipated live event, featuring several qualifier rounds and a high-stakes main event. The tournament includes $460 buy-in qualifiers with a 1:5 format, giving players a chance to secure a spot in the main event at a fraction of the cost. The Legacy Tournament itself has a $2,000 buy-in with 75,000 starting chips, and consists of two initial flights, culminating in the final on December 1. This event promises intense action and a competitive field, drawing players from across Ontario and beyond. If you're aiming to make your mark on the live poker scene, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Where: Caesars Windsor Casino

When: November 29 to December 1

  • Flight A (Day 1A): November 29, 4:15 PM
  • Flight B (Day 1B): November 30, 2:15 PM
  • Final Day: December 1, 12:15 PM

How: Register directly at the Caesars Windsor cashier cage, or qualify by participating in multi-table satellites held in the Poker Room for $460 on the following dates,

Saturday, November 16 | $460 buy-in | $20k starting chips

Wednesday, November 20 | $460 buy-in | $20k starting chips

Saturday, November 23 | $460 buy-in | $20k starting chips

Wednesday, November 27 | $460 buy-in | $20k starting chip



GGpoker Micro Millions Series Ongoing

GGPoker Micro Festival


For players looking for low-stakes, high-action events, GGpoker’s Micro Millions series is in full swing. This series, a mainstay for budget-conscious players, offers a range of affordable tournaments with guaranteed prize pools, making it a favorite among beginners and seasoned players alike. Ontario players can enjoy daily events with buy-ins as low as $1, but the potential for big wins is real, as the Micro Millions culminates in higher-stakes events with generous guarantees. The series provides a great opportunity for players to experience the excitement of large-field tournaments without breaking the bank, fostering a sense of community and engagement across the GGpoker platform

The highlight of this GGpoker MTT series is the Mystery Bounty Million$ Main Event, featuring a modest $21 buy-in but a substantial $100,000 guaranteed prize pool. Phase 1 flights for this event run multiple times daily, leading up to the Final Phase on November 17 at 20:30. Mystery bounty tournaments are popular for their unpredictability and added excitement, as players have the chance to win random cash prizes for each knockout. This low-cost, high-reward structure allows Ontario players of all skill levels to experience the thrill of major tournament action and potentially claim significant payouts with a relatively small investment​.

Where: GGPoker.ca

When: Ongoing until November 17

What: The series features daily low-stakes events ranging from $2.50 events with $100 GTD to the $21 Main Event with $100,000 Guaranteed.

The tournaments are in several different formats including Turbo, Deepstack, Omaha events and Classic freezeouts.

Mystery Bounty Million$ Main Event
The Mystery Bounty Million$ Main Event, featuring a modest $21 buy-in but a substantial $100,000 guaranteed prize pool. Phase 1 flights for this event run multiple times daily, leading up to the Final Phase on November 17 at 20:30. Mystery bounty tournaments are popular for their unpredictability and added excitement, as players have the chance to win random cash prizes for each knockout. This low-cost, high-reward structure allows Ontario players of all skill levels to experience the thrill of major tournament action and potentially claim significant payouts with a relatively small investment​

How: Buy direct on GGpoker to the events for as low as $2.50

Keeping track of all the available poker tournaments in Ontario can be challenging, which is why we've revamped our site to gather them all in one place, including major online poker tournaments. You can easily sort by your favourite tournament type or venue to see what's on the agenda this month for brick and mortar or online action to see what big events are on offer. Check out our new Ontario Major MTT schedule.

That's a Wrap!

That’s a wrap for this November 2024 edition of What's New in Ontario Poker. This month, we’ve covered all the key stories for Ontario poker players, from the potential player pool merger with Alberta to the much-anticipated arrival of BetRivers. We also highlighted the ongoing GGpoker Micro Millions series and the upcoming Legacy Tournament at Casino Niagara. Ontario’s poker scene continues to thrive, attracting a strong player base and outperforming many major markets. As the year winds down, now’s the time to seize the exciting opportunities on the horizon, whether you're grinding online or hitting the tables live. Good luck out there, and join us next month for more news and updates!

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Ryan Fisler
Ryan Fisler

Ryan is a poker enthusiast and entrepreneur currently living in Kingston, Ontario.

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