Ontario's Online Poker Expansion Plan Faces Supreme Court Challenge

The Canadian Lottery Coalition (CLC) is appealing a Court of Appeal for Ontario ruling regarding online poker. The initial ruling allowed regulated online poker platforms to pool players with other player pools outside Canada. For example, the ruling could, in theory, add Canadian players to the U.S.’ Multi State Internet Gaming Agreement. The CLC represents provincial lottery and gaming regulators in six of the 10 provinces.

Quebec’s lottery company filed a motion supporting the CLC. The CLC argues the Ontario plan “flouts” the country’s Criminal Code. The groups in the coalition are the only government-authorized online gaming platforms in those provinces. Alberta’s Attorney General Mickey Amery filed a motion to intervene in the case. Alberta is considering legalizing regulated online gaming and poker, and pooling with Ontario’s existing player base is a possibility.

Ontario launched regulated online gambling in 2022. It quickly became one of the largest online poker markets in North America. In July, gambling attorney Jeff Ifrah said the province was seeking expansion to join European and American player pools.