GGPoker Likely to Launch in Ontario Under Own Branding But Timing Not Clear

Summary

• Changes to NSUS Limited’s license application suggests GGPoker.ca could go live in Ontario
• The site could form a network alongside WSOP.ca
• GGPoker has been busy lately promoting its Canadian operations

GGPoker could enter Ontario using its own brand, as opposed to previous assumptions that the operator would not run its own site in the Canadian province and would only provide software support for WSOP.ca.

Latest developments suggest GGPoker could well be joining the market under its own name.

GGPoker.ca Coming Soon

Under the original license granted to NSUS Limited (GGPoker’s parent company) back in March, there was no mention of GGPoker launching its poker brand in Ontario. WSOP.ca was the only domain registered under the license. In August though, a new domain was added – ggpoker.ca. Additionally, the name of the mobile app was changed to “WSOP by GGPoker“.

The long-awaited launch of WSOP.ca has yet to happen five months after its software partnership with GGPoker for Ontario was confirmed. While both entities wait on the sidelines, their rivals 888poker, PokerStars, BetMGM, partypoker, and bwin (the last three are running under the BetMGM network) have already been operating for months and are already reaping the benefits of launching in Canada’s largest province.

At the moment, Ontarians play on GGPoker through its global client, alongside other players in other jurisdictions. But they would eventually be migrated to the segregated Ontario site if things go according to plan.

There’s no available timeline as of yet as to when GGPoker and WSOP would officially set foot in Ontario, but there’s a high possibility that GGPoker would go live in the Canadian province using its own branding.

What that means is that GGPoker could form a two-skin network with WSOP.ca, merging their player pools. But we cannot expect both sites to launch simultaneously. WSOP.ca would probably go first, with GGPoker likely to redirect its Ontario players to the WSOP.ca platform.

All the same, this should be an exciting prospect given the solid reputation associated with two of the world’s biggest online poker sites.

Huge Plans for Canada

The new license application changes are not the only signs of GGPoker’s potential launch in Ontario. Recent efforts by the operator including welcoming on board multiple Canadian ambassadors, hosting freerolls, and running various campaigns and promotions exclusive to Canadian players, are indicative of the company’s huge plans for the market. And it isn’t entirely surprising, given that Canada is GGPoker’s home market, with headquarters in Toronto.