Key Moments:
- The Ontario Court of Appeal has decided that provincially regulated sites could permit peer-to-peer wagering with players outside Canada.
- The decision could revitalize participation in online poker and daily fantasy sports, which have seen stagnant growth in Ontario.
- Operators must await further cross-border regulatory safeguards before expanding global player access.
Judicial Decision Expands Potential Player Pool
A major legal development in Ontario may soon allow online poker and daily fantasy sports (DFS) participants to compete directly with international players, provided regulatory conditions are met. The Court of Appeal for Ontario, by a 4-1 margin, determined that the Criminal Code of Canada does not prevent provincially regulated online gaming and betting platforms from enabling peer-to-peer contests between Ontario-based users and individuals located outside of Canada. According to the decision, such activities would only proceed if all necessary regulatory protections are firmly established.
Ontario’s top court has ruled that provincially regulated online gaming and sports betting platforms can legally allow users to play with and bet against people in other countries pic.twitter.com/klTclS7QFd
— 6ixBuzzTV (@6ixbuzztv) November 12, 2025
Implications for Ontario’s Licensed Online Gaming Market
Ontario, home to 14.2 million people, launched a ring-fenced, provincially regulated online gaming market in April 2022. Well-known brands like PokerStars, 888poker, and PartyPoker operate under the guidance of iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission. Currently, participation is restricted to players physically present within the province, resulting in limited player pools. The court’s decision arrives as online poker’s share of Ontario’s overall regulated gaming market has remained stagnant at about 2%, even as other segments experienced growth during 2023-2024.
This restricted environment has also discouraged DFS operators, with platforms like PrizePicks and Underdog choosing not to enter Ontario’s market due to liquidity constraints. As a result, the number of competitors in these sectors has remained limited.
Regulatory Considerations and Next Steps
The court’s proposed model would have Ontario residents access domestic, regulated gaming portals, while participants from other countries use platforms regulated by their respective jurisdictions. Importantly, the ruling does not currently permit inclusion of players from other Canadian provinces or territories, unless formal inter-provincial agreements are made.
“This model advances public safety by bringing under regulation players who would otherwise access offshore sites,” said the court in its summary.
Before these cross-border pools can launch, Ontario regulators must address issues such as establishing foreign regulatory partnerships and implementing robust identity verification and age checks. While implementation will require careful planning, the decision signals a potential return to larger, more vibrant online poker and DFS communities for Ontarians in the future.
Market Overview Table
| Aspect | Current Status | Post-Ruling Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Player Pool | Ontario residents only | Expanded to include non-Canadian players |
| Poker Market Share | Approximately 2% | Potential for growth |
| DFS Operators | Limited presence | May see increased entry |
- Author
Daniel Williams
