PokerStars Ontario Review - Generally Solid, but Some Withdrawal Drawbacks
Verdict: SAFE TO PLAY HERE Player Beware ConnexOntario 19+ Only
PokerStars Ontario arrived on the provincial casino market in 2022, making it among the earliest casinos in Ontario. With around a dozen banking systems and over 2,000 slots, plus a live casino, there's a lot to like about this casino. As required, it's licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). I've gone through the details of the terms and conditions, games library, supported financial systems, and more to help you decide if it's a place you should play or pass.
What You Need to Know:
- Over a dozen software developers
- Interac supported
- Sports betting available
- Minimum deposits $10
- 162 progressive jackpots
What I liked: Independent testing to ensure games are fair
What I Didn't Like: Some withdrawals can be very slow
My Rating: 3 out of 5
If you want to know all about this casino, read my full PokerStars Ontario review on this page.
My Experience - Seems Ok, But Complaints are Off-Putting
For the most part I enjoyed browsing the PokerStars Ontario site, which has poker and sports betting sister sites (not covered in this review). It would've been better if searching by provider was made slightly clearer or easier, but overall browsing's mostly straightforward (although the contact form was tucked away in the T&Cs). Plus the great selection of payment methods was nice to see, as was independent auditing.
But what rattled my cage a bit was the unseen, in the form of complaints. To be fair, every casino has these, but PokerStars seems to have more than the average with multiple varieties of withdrawal complaints alone.
What's Covered In This Review:
Player Beware: Withdrawal Woe and Geolocation Gremlins
Last Updated: Sun. Aug 17, 2025
I've seen a fair number of withdrawal complaints, on Reddit[1][2] and Casinomeister[3]. These range from the process simply not working, to requests for documents that cannot be provided, and a claim the money has been transferred when this is not the case. Any one of these would be a black mark, but an assortment of withdrawal problems doesn't exactly whet my appetite to sign up.
In the past, there have also been geolocation problems[4][5], and I can only imagine how frustrated players in Ontario must be when they can't access their account due to a technical snafu.
PokerStars Ontario Bonuses - Sign Up and Regular Promos Available
I can confirm that the PokerStars Casino Ontario has bonuses, which may include free spins, but I cannot go into detail. Annoyingly, this is due to an AGCO decision that this would constitute promotion and is therefore banned. Sorry about this, all I can advise is to always check the fine print before opting into any promo.
Games and Software - Solid But Not Spectacular Gaming Selection
A casino isn't much without great games, and I've got to stress I'm only looking at those in the casino itself. PokerStars Casino Ontario features over 2,000 games in total and more than 100 in the live dealer section, good numbers for both.
There are some exclusives, plus over a dozen contributing studios, including industry big hitters Games Global, Play'n Go, Pragmatic Play, and Playtech. Slots include a search bar and although this isn't directly indicated it seems typing in a software developer will lead to a large list of that provider's games. I also like the ease of searching by categories, which are: Popular, new, Jackpot, Exclusive, and Megaways.
The live section can be browsed by category (Popular, Blackjack, Roulette, Game Shows, Baccarat and Sic Bo, and Poker) or games searched directly. There are also over 30 regular editions of table games in the eponymous section, and an instant win section with scratch cards and more.
Payment Methods - Excellent Range of Banking Options
PokerStars Ontario has a broader range of payment methods than most of the Ontario casino sites I've reviewed, with supported systems including cards (Visa/Mastercard), Interac, e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and MuchBetter, plus pre-paid Paysafecard, and InstaDebit, Instant eChecks, direct bank transfers, and Apple Pay. Most can be used for both deposits and withdrawals (direct bank transfers cannot make deposits, Apple Pay, Mastercard, Visa, and Paysafecard cannot make withdrawals).
Deposits and withdrawals both have a $10 minimum, which is handy if you like small stakes. Processing time varies a lot, with Instant eChecks taking 3-10 business days while InstaDebit and e-wallets might only take minutes. In addition, all deposits must be wagered before a withdrawal request can be made.
Customer Support at PokerStars - Less Than Great
There's a pretty large help section that can be searched directly, with 11 different categories for browsing. Initial contact via live chat (when not logged in, anyway) is with a digital assistant. The chat bot's pretty quick and probably works well enough for basic problems, but there's no substitute for a human being. There is a way to contact via form but it's fairly well hidden (check Terms and Conditions 18.1 for a link to a form).
There have been some complaints, though. One frustrating example I found was of a player whose account was frozen which meant they couldn't contact support as logging in was necessary[6]. Another found a certain customer support representative to be less than helpful[7].
Licensing, Security, Responsible Gambling - Independent Testing is Reassuring
Operating in Ontario without AGCO licensing is strictly forbidden, and I'm glad to confirm PokerStars has an iGO license. It also has certification from Gaming Labs International, an independent testing organisation that checks casinos to ensure games are being run on a fair basis.
On the security front, personal data access is restricted to authorised personnel, and security is provided by 'appropriate security, technical and organizational measures' (which I think is jargon for 'encryption').There's a separate responsible gaming category within the help page, and players are empowered to set up their own deposit/game/loss limits. Self-exclusion is also possible, and links to third parties including ConnexOntario and GamblingTherapy are presented.
PokerStars Casino on Mobile - Apps for iOS and Android
Give me a big screen any day, but if you prefer mobile devices then apps are available for both iOS and Android. The Google Play app has a 3.6 rating from 737 reviews, while the iOS app has a 4.1 rating from 1.6k Apple fans. Both work well and are fully functional giving you access to everything the casino at PokerStars Ontario has to offer. You can also play via your mobile browser if you prefer not to download the apps.
FAQs
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What's the minimum deposit accepted at this online casino?
Deposits can be as low as $10 here. -
I'm not based in Ontario; can I still play at Poker Stars Ontario?
No, the casino only accepts players who are physically located within the province. -
What's the legal gambling age in Ontario?
Players in Ontario must be aged 19 years or older. -
Does PokerStars Ontario accept PayPal?
Yes, PayPal is one of the supported banking methods at this site. -
How can I tell if I'm playing at a regulated Ontario casino?
Casinos usually present licensing info at the foot of each page. You can also find them on the iGaming Ontario approved operators list.
Final Verdict - PokerStars Ontario is a Mixed Bag, Concerns over Withdrawals
I think the PokerStars online casino for Ontario is generally pretty standard, with a good but not fantastic range of games, plus mobile apps. There is an above average variety of banking methods, and I like the low deposit/withdrawal thresholds.
However, there's a fair variety of complaints, including numerous different problems regarding withdrawals, and other difficulties involving customer service. I was also surprised how well-hidden the contact form was. It's a shame because I like the software developers and banking methods but I've got to mark it down a notch because of the difficulties mentioned.
Sources
- Can't Withdraw from PokerStars Ontario? : r/PokerStars - reddit.com
- Pokerstars Ontario Withdrawal Process : r/PokerStars - reddit.com
- Pokerstars Ontario, claiming they've sent money but they haven't - Casinomeister Forum - casinomeister.com
- PokerStars Ontario Geolocation Error - PokerStars: General discussion -- Two Plus Two Poker Forums - twoplustwo.com
- Pokerstars Ontario: Saying it can't Geolocate me : r/PokerStars - reddit.com
- Pokerstars customer support is abysmal : r/PokerStars - reddit.com
- Pokerstars Ontario : r/PokerStars - reddit.com
