Canada is one of the most unique countries in the world when it comes to gambling in that all legal land based gambling operations are run and regulated by the provincial governments. Because of this, it can be a little challenging to find an online poker site that accepts Canadian players however there are still a number of players in the market friendly to Canada. On this page we've listed some of these sites which are ranked as the top operators for Canadian players. We've also provided a detailed analysis of what's going on in Canada regarding online poker in terms of regulation and some pertinent legal questions about the issue.
Online Poker In Canada
Since the beginning of the online poker industry in the late 90's Canada has taken a quiet stance on the subject with little discussion or objection coming from government bodies. Recently certain provinces have begun offering regulated online gambling sites including British Columbia with Ontario and Quebec as well as some of the Eastern provinces to follow suit in the coming years. Although it's expected at some point the legal issues surrounding online poker will come into play in Canada thus far there has been little action from the powers that be on the topic. Below we've provided a summary of some of the more important issues that Canadian players are concerned about when looking for a real money poker site catering to Canadians.
Is Playing Online Poker in Canada Illegal?
Presently there are no laws prohibiting citizens from playing at online
poker sites from within Canada. While there are laws pertaining to the
operation of land based gambling establishments, all online sites are operated
offshore and therefore do not break any existing Canadian laws. No one has
ever been charged or arrested for playing online in Canada and it's nearly
impossible for this to happen given current laws.
Why Do Some Sites Not Accept Canadians?
Back in 2006 when the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was passed
in the United States (a law that affected
US poker sites) some
operators started getting nervous that Canada would be the next place to jump on
board and criminalize the industry. While this has still not happened,
certain sites have decided to stay on the side of caution until definite action
is taken by the government. Thankfully, there are still plenty of sites
that are Canadian friendly including some of the largest and most reputable
sites online.
How Do I Deposit To Play Poker In Canada?
There are a number of deposit options that are available to Canadian players
for making real money deposits. All of these methods are easy to use and
offer a convenient and safe way to deposit online:
Credit Cards - One of the more popular options for Canadian players, most sites will accept Visa, MasterCard and in some cases Amex which can be used to fund your account. Withdrawals to credit cards are not permitted in Canada like they are in Europe, however this is a viable and safe deposit option for players.
Moneybookers - An online eWallet that lets you fund your account by bank transfer, credit card or person to person transfer which can then easily be deposit and withdrawn from poker sites. This option requires some documentation to increase your account limits however is a good choice for large volume players.
eChecks - Using eChecks is another fast way to get money into your poker accounts from Canada. With an eCheck you provided your bank account information to the site which then credits your poker account and withdraws the funds from your checking account a few days later. Most sites will give you instant credit for your deposits as long as your account is in good standing on the poker website.
uKash - A great option that's still somewhat new is uKash which is a prepaid voucher that can be bought at Gas Stations using cash. Available in varying denominations, you simply buy uKash and get a printed voucher with a unique PIN code which when entered on the site credits your account with the value of the voucher. uKash can also be purchased online using your Canadian bank account to buy the vouchers.