New Era for PokerStars and FanDuel in Ontario Starts Tomorrow
Posted on: May 6, 2026, 03:25h.
Last updated on: May 6, 2026, 03:25h.
- PokerStars Ontario tells their players that their platform will be shut down as of May 7
- PokerStars now offered exclusively on FanDuel
- No relaunch date as yet as company waits for regulatory approvals
PokerStars Ontario is being folded into FanDuel, starting tomorrow, as the province’s licensed igaming operator roster shrinks to 45.
Platform Shutdown Tomorrow
Both PokerStars and FanDuel are operated by Flutter. The merger applies to PokerStars’ online poker, casino and sports betting operations. The new product will be re-launched as “PokerStars on FanDuel”.
This has been posted on PokerStars Ontario X platform:
“PokerStars will no longer be offering Poker, Casino or Sports on our current platform in Ontario as of May 7. Your PokerStars account will remain accessible until June 4, 2026. Any funds not withdrawn from your PokerStars account by June 4 will be sent in the form of a check.”
PokerStars Relaunched with FanDuel Soon
A second X post said the relaunch date with FanDuel will be announced after they ensure provincial regulatory requirements have been fulfilled.
The news comes at a time when Ontario just reported one of its highest revenue months for online poker in the province.
According to figures released last week by iGaming Ontario, for March, poker revenue came in at $6.9 million (28% month-over-month increase). That was the second highest since Ontario’s regulated market opened in April 2022. The record high was March 2024, at $7.1 million in revenue.
Pooling Players
The PokerStars, FanDuel merger is the latest chapter in a period of market consolidation in Ontario. With the news, the market is down to 45 licensed operators, according to iGaming Ontario.
FanDuel announced in March that PokerStars would be joining forces with them to become the exclusive home of PokerStars in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ontario.
As part of the U.S. relaunch, players in all three states will be combined into one liquidity pool with their counterparts outside the state.
Under current rules, online poker and paid DFS players in Ontario are geofenced in, unable to play against online players outside the province. The Canadian Gaming Association, GGPoker owner NSUS, and Flutter all challenged that in court.
Revenue Jump for Poker in Ontario
A decision by an Ontario Court of Appeal last November ruled in their favour. It confirmed the legality of a new “pooled liquidity” model for online gaming, allowing Ontario players to engage with players outside Canada. Peer-to-peer games including both Ontario and non-Canadian players would mean bigger games, larger prize pools. It would mean a broader selection of tournaments across regulated markets.
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, British Columbia Lottery Corporation and the Atlantic Lottery Corporation appealed that decision to Canada’s Supreme Court in December.
A story in Canadian Gaming Business in March confirmed that Alberta, which is about go live with an Ontario-style open igaming market, wants a say in the Supreme Court decision. Pooled liquidity between the two provincial regulated markets after Alberta launches is something they likely will want to talk about.
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