With significant changes seen in the online poker market in the Canadian province of Ontario, the World Series of Poker and GGPoker announced a partnership in the region on Thursday.
WSOP.CA will be a fully-regulated online poker room available to Ontario-based players in early April. The site offers players access to exclusive W9rld Series tournaments and satellites, all running on GG’s software.
The move comes after Ontario regulated online gaming in the province. Those operating in the province are expected to seek regulator approval.
Now players in the province will have a chance to play at the WSOP-branded site courtesy of GGPoker. One of the biggest names in poker, Daniel Negreanu, is a native of Toronto, Ontario, and is also a GG ambassador.
“As a proud Ontario native, I’m thrilled that poker’s two greatest brands have come together to launch WSOP.CA and offer the Ontario poker community the perfect place to play online,” Negreanu said in a news release. “You’ll be seeing exclusive WSOP rewards and tournaments, running on GGPoker’s amazing app – what’s not to love about that?”
Changes coming to Ontario
The news of the WSOP/GG launch comes with major changes in the Ontario market. Previously, players in Ontario could play on major international sites.
That now changes as sites must accept regulation to operate. Those who continued outside the regulatory framework could face being locked out of other lucrative online gaming options, such as sports betting.
With a population of 14.6 million people, Ontario is Canada’s most populous province. Keeping a legal presence there appears to remain a priority for some major operators.
By comparison, the largest state in the United States with legal online poker is Pennsylvania, with 12.8 million.
The new environment in Ontario sees players now part of a “ringed-in” environment. That means players only battle against other players within that province. This is the same type of environment as in the US in states like Pennsylvania and Michigan.
However, there is a possibility down the line to share liquidity with some other provinces. Players in Quebec, British Columbia, and Manitoba have the option of playing on official government-regulated sites.
Those sites in Quebec and British Columbia already have a shared network and liquidity. Ontario could possibly join that at some point.
What’s ahead for GGPoker/WSOP Ontario site?
As in the American WSOP sites and GGPoker internationally, it’s not unimaginable to think of players competing in online bracelet and WSOP Circuit ring series.
These have proven extremely popular and regularly attract large fields. The site also plans to offer satellites and qualifiers for the live WSOP tournament series in Las Vegas.
“This partnership combines the best poker brand with the top poker software, and we’re thrilled to launch this online poker room for Ontario players,” WSOP executive director Ty Stewart said. “We look forward to seeing Ontarians qualify for the live WSOP in Las Vegas this summer and challenge native son Daniel Negreanu for a gold bracelet.”
GG is already the official operator running WSOP online qualifiers to players internationally. Players jumping in the action at the new site will find a range of launch promotions and bonuses as well.
Players will also automatically become enrolled in the Caesars Rewards loyalty program. This is the largest casino loyalty program in the industry. Players earn benefits at Caesars destinations and unique sports experiences across North America.
Existing GGPoker players based in Ontario can transfer their accounts to WSOP.CA once the new site officially goes live. There players will still benefit from all of the launch promotions and bonuses.
The launch of the WSOP.CA is subject to the successful execution of an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario.