In Canada, right now, poker (or any online gambling), is technically illegal.
However, About 10-12 years ago, the Government at that time, said that this was not a high priority for them, and no prosecutions would be forthcoming. This all came as a result of the Provincial Lottery Corporations petitioning the Federal Government to make it illegal, as they were losing money to online players.
As a result, and because of the "no prosecution" decision, the provincial lottery corporations decided to go online also.
It has been the same ever since, but there have been rumblings recently, that there is something in the works, that will make provincial lottery corporations the only legal way for provincial citizens to play online.
So much for freedom of choice (if that happens).