Ontario Court Ruling Opens Door for Cross‑Border Online Gaming

Ontario’s Court of Appeal ruled that regulated online gaming platforms can legally allow cross‑border play, potentially expanding player pools for poker and fantasy sports. The decision could reshape the province’s iGaming market but still faces legal and implementation questions.

Ontario’s Court of Appeal has ruled that regulated online gaming and sports betting platforms in the province may legally allow players to compete against individuals outside of Canada, marking a potential transformation of the local iGaming landscape. The 4–1 decision, released on November 12, 2025, responds to a reference question from the provincial government about whether Ontario’s model could include international participants in online peer‑to‑peer games under Canadian law.

Under the current framework, Ontarians using regulated sites have been restricted to playing only with other Ontario residents, creating a “closed liquidity” market that limits player pools for games like online poker and daily fantasy sports (DFS). The court’s majority concluded that allowing cross‑border play would remain lawful under Section 207(1)(a) of the Criminal Code so long as Ontario continues to “conduct and manage” the gaming scheme through licensed operators.

While the ruling could significantly expand liquidity and attract international players, potentially boosting Ontario’s regulated iGaming market, practical details and implementation timelines remain uncertain, and other provinces are considering their legal options. The Canadian Lottery Coalition representing several provincial gaming agencies has up to 30 days to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.