An Overview of Canada Best Online Poker Sites
One of the perks gamblers enjoy today is being able to play poker online. In the past, they would have to visit a brick-and-mortar establishment to enjoy a game of poker. The first free online poker room was by Planet Poker. They were the first to offer real money poker games from January 1, 1998. In October 1999, Mike Caro, an author, became the face of Planet Poker.
The best online Canadian poker sites offer various features to keep new players hooked. One of such features includes tournaments they call satellites. Through these, players can enter the real-life poker tournaments.
With the inception of online casinos, players can now play cash games from the comfort of their homes. They can also do it while on the go, or from their computers. Most of these online poker gambling houses are available 24/7.
Many online poker platforms accept and allow Canadian players. However, when you decide to play online, it’s wise to only do so at reputable platforms to ensure that you get paid once you win.
Read this overview to learn about the top poker sites in Canada, what makes them stand out, and whether you can make real cash from them.
Is It Legal to Play Online Poker in Canada?
Canada manages legal issues concerning internet poker quite distinctly. They have come to be referred to as the online gambling grey area since there aren’t laws that prohibit the practice.
However, a rule exists about gambling in unauthorized houses. This would, however, cease to be the case if you chose to play on the best poker sites found on the market.
The good news for players is that most of these houses are government-run and, therefore, you don’t need to worry about them being legitimate.
Additionally, the country is divided into territories, and there are specific laws for some districts which players often encounter. Most of them seem to be loosening their laws lately, as poker games are continuing to grow in popularity in major cities such as Montreal and Toronto.
What to look for in an online poker site
Selecting a gaming site can be a daunting task when you are faced with limitless choices. However, if you stick to looking at the core values of the top poker platforms, you’ll not be disappointed with your preferences. Some of the factors to consider include:
The Software
The biggest betting companies ensure that their poker rooms run on reliable, straightforward, and easy to download software. One such trustworthy software is Microgaming, which is quick and easy to install. It also offers players streamlined gameplay.
Great software should have visuals. The tables should be easily resizable, and the graphics should be of high quality even when the tables have been compressed. This allows players to play up to 16 tables at the same time without feeling swamped.
Some of these houses use innovative iPoker technologies that come with downloadable and Flash form. The key to great software is functionality. It should have features such as hand histories and chat boxes that are laid out well. The table filters should simplify the process of choosing a game that you feel comfortable with.
Free Rolls and Free Games
It’s crucial to check whether the platform offers plays the chance to bet for free or if they can engage in freeroll tournaments. Ensure that the platform offers the said free-roll tournaments and games.
It’s a great way to have an experience of how the software which you might be new to. By playing for free, you’ll be able to understand how the software works without having to risk your funds.
Bonuses and Promotions
A good welcome bonus is a great way to attract new players. However, it’s not the only promotion you should know about regarding poker. Most online gaming places offer players generous loyalty programs.
Once you sign-up on a gaming site; check out their loyalty programs and other promotions. It’s a great way to increase your earnings while enjoying playing your favorite games. Don’t forget about the VIP schemes that you can take advantage of if you wish to be entered in special online tournaments.
Poker Room Features
Some poker rooms have embraced the ever-growing technology by embracing the game’s social aspect. This includes integrating certain features such as webcams in their private poker tournaments and cash games.
Other platforms offer different variants, including Omaha, Texas Hold ‘em, Heads Up tables, and Omaha Hi/Lo.
An important thing to note, though, is the poker room’s limits range. Due to the new players’ influx recently, some houses offer more tables with lower blinds. You can expect loose or quirky bets on such tables. However, high rollers will be able to access high stakes games easily, where the competition will be stiffer for many poker games.
Site User Support and Security
These two factors are critical. They are what make a poker room accessible and reliable. Top betting houses in Canada are highly regulated, with some being listed on the Stock Exchange. This assures players of a 100% security while withdrawing and depositing funds.
Also, look for sites that offer customer support 24/7 all year long. The feature shows how serious the site is in ensuring that their players get the best betting experience. You don’t want to be stuck on a website that doesn’t offer you help when you hit a roadblock, or you need clarifications.
Payment Options Offered
The best online poker sites Canada offers a wide range of withdrawal and deposit options, including VISA, eWallets, Skrill, Cryptocurrency, Neteller, Paypal, and MasterCard. They also accept a variety of currencies.
Look for places that offer options with fast processing of payouts and deposits. You wouldn’t want to wait for weeks or even months to receive your payout.
Poker Licensing Regulations
All poker rooms are licensed and regulated by independent bodies to ensure fairness and transparency. Various proven jurisdictions regularly test and control these houses to determine their licensing status.
Although these licensing authorities are found outside of Canada, they have the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. It’s known for licensing most legitimate poker sites that accept Canadians. Kahnawake has sustainable control and specific metrics making it a solid licensing body. You can trust any house that has been licensed by this authority.
There are also international licensing authorities, including the UK Gambling Commission Authority, Malta, and Alderney. Look for a gambling house that has been licensed by one or more of these authorities, and you will not regret it.
They ensure that poker rooms don’t rip off the players their hard-earned cash, especially when they are playing cash games.
Device Compatibility
In human history, people are using mobile phones more than they do any other technological device. More than 3 billion people all over the world are estimated to own a mobile phone. With the rapid cellular technology advancement, mobile phones today are as powerful as computers with superb graphics.
Gaming houses are aware of this, which is why they have converted your favorite poker games over to Android, Windows, and Apple devices. You don’t need to own the most sophisticated smartphone to access the best poker websites out there.
Now, you can use your smartphone’s touch screen to navigate through any poker room and bet on your favorite games easily. All this can be done from anywhere around the globe, even when on the move. The only disadvantage is that you cannot play two mobile poker games simultaneously when using your mobile device.
Is It Safe to Play Online Poker in Canada?
The online poker market is different from how it was in the early 2000s. Most of these platforms today are 100% safe. With that in mind, it’s safe to do some research and stick to the best sites.
Canada has limited regulations for private, offshore online gaming platforms. You should, therefore, be keen when choosing the site to sign-up.
It’s not enough for a site to only offer you an in-depth perspective of what they offer. A great site should also have a high level of security and trust to ensure that their players’ bankroll is safe and secure at all times.
Play on the government-operated platforms in Quebec and BC to ensure that you are gambling on a secure and fair site. Some great, trustworthy offshore sites accept Canadian players.
Avoid registering a player’s account on less visible online gambling sites as you’ll not be guaranteed that the games are fair or your funds are safe.
What About the Canadian Tax Law On My Winnings?
If you are a casual player, all your winnings are tax-free. The Canadian tax law on the internet poker is unusual since most betting in the nation is run by the government and 100% tax-free.
Various sites are not run by the government. However, casual players still enjoy tax-free gambling from them. On the other hand, professional players have to contend with a different scenario.
The Canada Revenue Agency views any gambling winnings as subject to tax if they fall under the category of income from a business. The interpretation is vague, but the idea is that if you get all your income from betting and you win consistently, then you should pay taxes.
Most players don’t fall into this category, and therefore, they can enjoy their winnings without paying any tax. If you earn a lot from betting online, you should get yourself a good accountant.
The Best Online Poker Websites in Canada
Amidst the many betting platforms, some stand out from the rest. What sets these sites apart is the fact that they offer a wide range of games, high odds, great bonuses, exceptional customer support, and are secure and reliable. Here are five of the most popular platforms to look out for when hunting for your next favorite gaming site.
888poker
Offer
- A 100% Bonus of up to $1000 + $88
- Numerous free games to kick-off
- Enough cash game traffic
- $8 no deposit bonus
- Adequate payment methods
Rating: 5-Star
PokerStars
Offer
- The widest selection of tournaments and cash games
- Free poker games for newbie
- Poker app for iOS and Android
- Many payment options
- A 100% Welcome Bonus of up to $600
Rating: 5-Star
William Hill
Offer
- A 100% bonus of up to $2000 after making the minimum deposit
- Exceptional customer support 24/7
- Best game selection
- A great reputation
Rating: 5-Star
Party Poker
Offer
- $30 of spins on first deposit
- Soft cash gameplay
- Rakeback included for each player
- Excellent customer service 24/7
Rating: 4.5-Star
Bet365
Offer
- Fast and reliable payment options
- Easy wagering requirements
- Excellent customer service 24/7
Rating: 4.5-Star
FAQs
Since the sites are scattered all over the world, they receive players around the clock. Canadian players have their own peak times. However, there are opportunities 24/7 all year round. As a new player, you’ll benefit from some generous bonuses at all the sites.
It’s easy to withdraw payouts from any online poker platform in Canada. In most cases, banks accept wire transfers. Alternatively, you can choose to use other payment methods like VISA, Skrill, MasterCard, and Neteller.
Each site comes with its unique features. Also, most of them accept Texas Hold’em Canadian players, making it hard to say how they all deal with tournaments. Top sites in Canada have schedules for their regular tournaments and also huge monthly events that attract many players.
Choose the reviewed top sites above, and you can be assured of many rewarding tournaments and other events.
If you are a Canadian player, you are in luck as every big real money online poker house accepts Canadians without any problem. They also accept Canadian-friendly payment options. You can compare the above-listed sites to decide which one suits you. Go ahead and sign-up with them to start earning real money.
Licensed and regulated companies don’t share their users’ information with any third parties. One of the rules that govern them is providing security by ensuring that the players’ sensitive information, such as their financial transactions, does not fall into the wrong hands. If you have chosen a reputable platform, you shouldn’t be concerned about your information being shared with anyone else. Even when you opt-out, they are not supposed to keep your data. It gets deleted from their databases.
