Ontario Poker News December Update: Kliment Tarmakov Wins WSOPC Main; Shared Liquidity & BetRivers Coming?

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Dec 02, 2025 4 min read Last updated Dec 03, 2025

I'm Kyle Anderson, PokerNews ambassador and Ontario resident. Here is an update on everything that's both happened and is coming up in the Ontario poker world.

Remember, ON players can legally play real money poker in Ontario, so PokerNews has come up with a list of the very best online poker sites in the Canadian province. Access real poker sites and play different games with poker players within the state.

What are the big issues and stories on everyone's minds? Let’s get into it.

Big News

So the biggest story is that the Ontario Court of Appeal has ruled that Ontario-regulated gaming sites can legally allow players to compete with people outside Canada.
It was a 4–1 decision, and it basically clears the legal roadblock around shared liquidity, the thing that’s been holding Ontario back since the closed-pool model launched in 2022.

Now this doesn’t mean cross-border poker goes live tomorrow. Regulators still need to create the framework, negotiate agreements, and figure out licensing. But this is the first real momentum we’ve had in years.

We don't know whether they will return to global pools, merge with the US, or stay in Ontario, but there is reason to be hopeful.

Live Poker News

The WSOP Circuit was back at Playground Poker Club.

The stop kicked off on November 3 and ran through November 18 with over $6 million CAD in guaranteed prize pools. The Main Event buy‑in was $2,500 CAD, and there are 18 official ring events. The stop wrapped up in Montreal with some massive fields and massive payouts. Here are the highlights:

_{*Winner photos courtesy of WSOP.}

Ontario Live Poker Tournament Schedule

There are plenty of live options throughout December.

Casino Niagara

• Wednesdays — $300 NLH Weekly — 12:30 PM
• Sundays — $400 NLH Weekly — 12:30 PM
• Last Sunday of the Month — $550 Monthly — 12:30 PM

Pickering Casino Resort

• Dec 4 — $575 NLH
• Dec 9 — Two $200 Turbos
• Dec 11 — $575 Bounty

Caesars Windsor

• Fridays & Sundays all month: $200 Friday Night Turbo at 6:15 PM & $150 Sunday NLH at 2:15 PM

Here are the major live events this month across Ontario—venue, event, and start time listed in chronological order.

Ontario Online Poker News

BetRivers Poker has publicly said they’re ready to expand into Ontario and Alberta, but only if shared liquidity becomes possible.
Their head of poker literally said they’re watching the regulatory situation closely, and Canada is a market they want — if cross-border pooling is allowed.

So operators are interested, the legal system is now open to it, and the only missing piece is regulatory follow-through. Both Phil Hellmuth and Phil Galfond are associated with BetRivers, so how cool would it be to see them in Ontario?

We also got a big Ontario result from 888poker’s KO Games Main Event.

"QueenOffs" shipped the $30,000 Mystery Bounty Main for $4,177, with $550 in bounties. The event drew 204 entries, and the top bounty was $3,000. It was a great score and solid turnout for a domestic Ontario event.

Eligible iGames conducted and managed by iGO are only available to those physically present in the Province of Ontario. PokerStars Ontario operates pursuant to an agreement with iGaming Ontario.

For more information, visit the Ontario Players Homepage

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