PokerStars casino review

Lisa Stanojević Ads disclosure Checked byPaul P.

PokerStars casino comes with a reputation most brands would kill for. The brand built its name on real-money poker in the early 2000s, then re-entered the regulated US market in New Jersey in 2016 before adding the casino vertical in Pennsylvania in 2019 and Michigan in 2021 under Flutter Entertainment. 

Today it runs as a full real-money platform across MI, NJ, and PA with one account and wallet covering casino games, live dealer, and the familiar PokerStars casino client.

In this PokerStars casino review for US players, I focus on how well it delivers across games, bonuses, banking, safety, support, and everyday usability in the three licensed states.

100% up to $1,500
Launch date2016
Company behindFlutter Entertainment
88/ 100 Expert rating by Lisa S.
84 Bonus rating
89 Games rating
90 Software rating
88 Payments rating
92 Safety rating
80 Support rating
90 Usability rating
How we rate
83% Playscore based on 4 critics
Pros
  • Trusted casino brand
  • 1 wallet across all products
  • 900+ games available
Cons
  • Bonus tracking can be difficult
  • Smaller casino catalog in MI, NJ
  • No phone support

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Editor's note

This review is based on the operator’s current offer. Data and analysis below are accurate at the time of publishing, but may be subject to change as the operator’s offer expands.

Expert verdict

I treat PokerStars casino as one of the steadier real-money sites. The brand has been around for years, and that shows in how tidy everything feels. Slots and live tables load fast, the balance is easy to track, and moving between casino and poker feels like one product instead of a bunch of pieces together.

The layout stays simple and the apps feel solid. The site holds a connection, games run smoothly, and deposits usually land in the account within minutes. Live blackjack and roulette streams feel clear and stable, which matters more in practice than any marketing line.

The catch sits in the bonus system. The match on your first deposits looks strong, but the casino pays it out through “redemption points.” You earn these points while you bet real money, and those points unlock the bonus in small chunks over time. Many players find a straight rule like “wager your bonus 10 or 15 times on slots” easier to follow than watching a points bar creep up.

For players who want a stable, licensed casino with real-money play, PokerStars casino fits well. It runs smoothly, handles payments in a correct way, and offers enough slots, tables, live dealers, and poker rooms to keep most people busy. I’ll be returning consistently to this casino site.

State differences

PokerStars casino runs as a real-money online casino in three US states: 

  • Michigan
  • New Jersey, 
  • and Pennsylvania, 

under licenses from the Michigan Gaming Control Board, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board through local casino partners. 

To place real-money wagers, you need to be at least 21 and physically located in one of these states, with geolocation checks confirming your position. Players elsewhere can still open an account and use play-money modes, but real-money casino play stays locked.

PokerStars casino bonuses review

PokerStars casino offers a tiered welcome package matching your first three casino deposits 100% up to $500 each, for a total of $1,500 in Casino Instant Bonus. New users claim the welcome package by opting in during their first qualifying deposit and completing the three-stage sequence within the promotional window.

The minimum deposit for each stage is usually $20, though the exact number may vary slightly by state. The welcome offer credits as a Casino Instant Bonus usable on eligible slot titles and other approved games.

Bonus clearance runs through redemption points. The current structure awards two redemption points for every one dollar of bonus released, and each promotion defines its own point requirement and expiry window. Bonus progress appears in the My Rewards section.

Bonus facts

CategoryDetails
Welcome bonus100% up to $1,500
Wagering requirementsN/A
Bonus codeN/A
Deposit bonusAvailable
Free spinsFree spin bundles
VIP rewardsStars Rewards
Other bonusesChallenges, missions, purchase promos, ticket drops, leaderboards

State-level promos add recurring offers. Pennsylvania and New Jersey rotate casino challenges, limited-time free-spin bundles for specific slots, and cross-vertical missions that award bonus spins or Casino Instant Bonus credits when players complete poker or casino tasks. Michigan follows comparable patterns with task-based chests that can pay Spin & Go tickets, bonus spins, or small Casino Instant Bonus segments.

The Stars Rewards program runs across casino, poker, and sports. Players earn reward points on real-money wagers and redeem them for chests containing bonus funds, free spins, or tickets. Short-term state promos may include bundles such as $150 in bonus play or step missions shown in the Challenges and Promotions tabs, linking casino and poker.

PokerStars casino also runs promotions that focus on the poker room. These include ticket drops for selected tournaments, leaderboard races during busy series, and qualifiers that award seats into higher-buy-in events. Poker-related rewards usually appear as tournament tickets or entry vouchers rather than standard casino bonus funds, and players can track these through the dedicated poker promotions area and their ticket wallet in the client.

Bonus rating

84/100 Rewarding for steady players, technical for newcomers
  • High cap $1,500 package
  • Stars Rewards across all products
  • Point-based clearance adds complexity
  • Value spread across three deposits

If you like steady play, the $1,5k headline package delivers plenty of value, but it’s not a “grab and run” type of promo. PokerStars casino pays the bonus out in small chunks as you earn redemption points, so you need a bit of patience and a sense of how many spins you’re putting in.

The upside is that once you get used to it, the whole thing feels predictable. The casino, poker room, and sports promos connect through Stars Rewards, so you always have something dropping into your account.

This structure beats casinos that only hand you a couple of free spins and disappear for the week. At the same time, it loses to brands like Caesars or BetMGM when they run huge single-deposit multipliers with simple wagering rules. If you want uncomplicated math, those sites do it better.

Where PokerStars casino gains ground is consistency. The casino promos in PA, MI, and NJ run often, the challenges refresh quickly, and the smaller rewards come through often enough that you don’t wonder whether anything is happening behind the scenes.

900 games & poker menu at PokerStars casino

PokerStars casino runs separate catalogs for each state. In Pennsylvania, there’s a library of close to 900 casino games, with around 800 online slots, roughly 50 RNG table games, and more than 20 live dealer tables across blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and other formats.

In New Jersey and Michigan, the casino offers a slightly smaller menu with online slots in each state and a live casino segment that reaches 30-plus live dealer tables in some configurations.

The slot selection covers classic three-reel games, modern video slots, branded titles, and progressive jackpot machines. The lobbies include Megaways releases, exclusive PokerStars casino-branded titles, and named exclusives such as Davy Jones Riches Classic and The Imperial Kitchen.

The table-game menu centers on blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and a shorter list of poker-style and specialty table games.

Live dealer play offers live blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and game-show style titles such as Crazy Time and Lightning Roulette available where state rules and studio coverage allow.

Games facts

CategoryDetails
Expert’s pickGonzo’s Quest
Slots800+
Popular slotStarburst
Jackpots 20+
Top jackpotSit and Go
Table games50+
Popular table gameBlackjack
Live games30+
Popular live gameCrazy Time
Average RTP95.39%
Demo-play availabilityRegistered players only

Poker

PokerStars casino operates alongside a regulated poker room available in NJ, PA, and MI. Players in these states use the same account for casino play and the PokerStars poker client, which includes cash games, tournaments, and fast-play formats. MI and NJ share a combined player pool under the PokerStars US Network, while PA runs as an independent pool.

The cash-game lobby lists multiple poker variants: Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Seven Card Stud, Stud Hi/Lo, Razz, 5-Card Draw, 2-7 Draw games, and mixed-game formats such as HORSE and 8-Game. Variant availability depends on player activity. Stakes begin at micro limits such as $0.01/$0.02 and extend into higher posted limits, with all games filtered by format and stake level in the lobby.

The tournament schedule includes daily multi-table tournaments, sit-and-gos and Spin & Go formats, with buy-ins from cent-level events to higher-priced tournaments in the $300-$500 range. Seasonal series such as COOP and North America SCOOP run in NJ, PA and MI, with multi-million-dollar total guarantees published for each series.

Spin & Go events are available as three-handed hyper-turbo sit-and-gos that use a randomly determined prize pool. The PokerStars interface supports table stats, custom filters and multi-tabling, with up to six tables running at once on desktop. The poker room functions as a full vertical within the broader PokerStars casino platform.

Games rating

89/100 Big-state catalog with strong live play
  • 900+ games
  • Exclusive and Megaways slot variety
  • Smaller catalogues in MI and NJ
  • Fewer niche keno/instant-win options

PokerStars casino in Pennsylvania feels like a full, grown casino lobby. Michigan and New Jersey run smaller menus but still bring several hundred slots each and a live area that can reach 30+ tables.

Live casino is the strongest part. It puts PokerStars casino in the same spot as BetMGM and Golden Nugget on live quality, even if those brands beat it on raw 1,300+ game count. For anyone who splits time between casino and poker, PokerStars casino gives enough choice that you can finish a tournament, open a few slots or live tables, and stay inside one account without feeling like you need a second casino just to have something decent to play.

On the poker side, I treat PokerStars as the main event and the casino as the add-on. The same account covers tournaments and cash games, so a session for me often starts in the poker lobby and then moves over to slots or live tables when I need a break.

For my play style, the platform works best when poker stays in front and the casino fills the gaps around it. I can register a daily tournament or a COOP/NASCOOP event, play a stretch of Hold’em or Omaha, then jump into a few spins or a short live session and still feel like everything belongs to one product rather than two separate brands. 

16+ software providers overview at PokerStars casino

PokerStars casino’s slot, table, and live dealer content comes from a mix of major third-party studios, alongside their own studio content such as Stars Classic and other branded titles. Exact line-ups and game counts vary by state and over time as new releases are added and older games rotate out.

All live dealer games run through Evolution, which supplies live blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and game-show formats from its US studios. 

Software facts

CategoryDetails
Most popular slot softwareNetEnt
Number of software providers16+
Live providers1
Most popular live softwareEvolution
Bespoke softwareAvailable
Download required?Available

On the backend, the casino operates on Flutter’s regulated technology stack. The same account system and wallet connect casino games, poker, and any attached sports product, so balances and game access stay tied to a single profile while provider content is loaded dynamically from the relevant studios.

Available software

  • Playtech
    Playtech
  • Relax Gaming
    Relax Gaming
  • Skywind Group
    Skywind
  • High 5 Games
    High 5 Games
  • Lightning Box
    Lightning Box
  • Nextgen
    NextGen
  • Software
    Bespoke Software

Software rating

90/100 Solid tech, strong providers
  • Evolution handling all live games
  • Reliable major-studio provider mix
  • Fewer small niche studios
  • Provider lineup expands slowly

When I look at PokerStars casino from the software side, I think in terms of what it does for the games. The provider lineup is the main story: NetEnt, IGT, Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming, Play’n GO, Blueprint, Playtech, Relax, Skywind, High 5, Lightning Box, plus the in-house Stars titles. That mix explains why the lobby feels packed with familiar slots. You get mainstream releases, branded pieces, Megaways titles, and a few exclusives carrying the PokerStars logo.

The live side leans fully on Evolution, and that shapes how the games run more than anything else. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and the game shows all share the same engine, so limits, layouts, and performance stay consistent across the catalog.

DraftKings casino plays in a similar league on the tech front, but many mid-tier brands never reach this level of provider quality. For me as someone who cares more about solid studios and a stable live engine than chasing every tiny experimental provider, PokerStars casino hits the right note.

Payment methods available at PokerStars casino US

PokerStars supports a range of deposit and withdrawal methods, with state-level differences depending on partner casinos and available cash options.

Core deposit methods include Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, instant bank transfer, ACH e-checks, the PokerStars Play+ prepaid card, and PayNearMe for cash deposits at participating retailers. Certain regions allow cash deposits and withdrawals at partner casino cages, such as the Resorts Casino cage in Atlantic City for New Jersey accounts.

Payment facts

CategoryDetails
Number of payment methods9
Popular paymentPayPal
Minimum deposit$10
Maximum depositNot disclosed
Average deposit timeInstant
Minimum withdrawal$10
Maximum withdrawalNot disclosed
Average withdrawal time24–72 hrs
Deposit feesN/A
Withdrawal feesN/A

The minimum deposit for many methods generally starts around $10, while some promotional offers require a $20 minimum to qualify for bonus credits. Deposit posting is generally instant.

Withdrawals options include PayPal, Skrill, online banking, ACH e-checks, Play+ card, and cash at partner casino cages. Card withdrawals depend on the issuing bank and may not be available for all cards. Typical processing times are 24-72 hours once the account passes standard KYC verification.

Deposit methods

  • Cash At Casino
    Cash at Casino Cage

Withdrawal methods

Payments rating

88/100 Broad payment methods coverage with reliable processing
  • Strong mix of mainstream methods
  • Cash deposits and cage withdrawals
  • Fast deposit posting across methods
  • Card withdrawals not universal

From a payments angle, PokerStars behaves the way a regulated casino should. Deposits land fast, the Cashier makes sense at first glance. I like that Play+ and PayNearMe are here too, because those two methods save a lot of players who run into random bank blocks.

The 24 to 72-hour withdrawal window is standard for the US market, so PokerStars casino keeps pace with brands like BetMGM, Caesars, and BetRivers rather than pushing into anything experimental.

The one thing to pay attention to is the patchwork of options by state. A player who opens an account in one jurisdiction may see different cash partners or slightly different banking choices if they log in elsewhere. It’s how most US operators work, actually.

For everyday use, the payments system feels stable and predictable. You deposit, you play, you cash out, and the process follows the same pattern every time. It doesn’t really need to be flashy.

PokerStars casino US safety and security information

PokerStars casino US operates under Flutter Entertainment, with TSG Interactive US listed as the internet gaming operator for state partners such as Resorts Casino Hotel in NJ and Mount Airy Casino Resort in PA, along with an approved licensee for MI. The platform holds licenses from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

Safety facts

CategoryDetails
RNG auditing sealsNew Jersey DGE, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, and Michigan Gaming Control Board
Responsible gambling sealsGaming Labs International, Gambling Therapy, IBIA
LicensesNJDGE, PGCB, MGCB
SSL encryption256-bit
Two-factor authenticationAvailable
Ever blacklisted?N/A
Deposit, wager, time, and loss limitsAvailable
Self-exclusionAvailable
Cooling-off periodAvailable

All traffic runs through 256-bit SSL encryption, and the platform follows standard KYC verification requirements. Registration and withdrawals require confirmation of personal information such as date of birth, address, and the last digits of a social security number. Geolocation controls restrict real-money play to approved jurisdictions and enforce the 21+ age minimum.

RGT include deposit and wagering limits, session timers, cool-off periods, and self-exclusion options linked to state programs. The site and apps publish state hotline information, including 1-800-GAMBLER for New Jersey and Pennsylvania and 1-800-270-7117 for Michigan.

Licensed by

  • Nj Dge
    New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
  • Michigan Gaming Control Board
    Michigan Gaming Control Board
  • Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
    Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board

Trusted by

  • Gaming Labs Gli
    Gaming Labs International
  • Gambling Therapy
    Gambling Therapy
  • Ibia
    IBIA

Safety rating

92/100 Strong licensing, strict controls, stable track record
  • Fully licensed in 3 jurisdictions
  • Standard SSL and verified KYC checks
  • Clear RG tools and hotlines
  • 2FA present but not promoted

When I judge a casino’s safety, I start with the paperwork before anything else. PokerStars casino checks out clean with three state licenses, active regulators, and land-based partners. 

Traffic is encrypted, the system asks for proper ID during signup and withdrawals, and real-money play locks behind geolocation and 21+ rules. Tools for limits, cool-offs, and self-exclusion are built in, and the helpline numbers sit in the places they’re supposed to. This is the kind of compliance routine I’m looking for.

Stack PokerStars US against BetRivers or DraftKings casino and the safety feels familiar. Same regulators, same expectations, same level of infrastructure behind the scenes. If someone wants a real-money casino that plays inside the rulebook with visible checks and real oversight, I’d recommend PokerStars casino.

Customer support options at PokerStars US

PokerStars casino provides customer support through in-client help tools, live chat, and email. Users access support by opening the Help or Support section inside the mobile apps or the desktop client, which directs them to an integrated knowledge base and the available contact channels.

Support facts

CategoryDetails
Customer support availability24/7
Live chatAvailable
EmailContact form
Contact numberN/A
On-page supportFAQs and Help Center

Recent US-facing coverage notes 24/7 online availability, with live chat offered from within the logged-in help center and email contact available through on-site forms. Phone support isn’t listed as a standard channel across the US product.

User reviews report that email responses often arrive within 24 hours, while live chat typically resolves questions quicker during normal operating hours.

Support rating

80/100 Responsive setup but no phone line
  • 24/7 online support available
  • Email channel for longer issues
  • No phone support option
  • Help center navigation can feel slow

Support on PokerStars is pretty straightforward. I go into the app or client, open Help, and from there I can search articles, start live chat, or send an email. Chat opens once I’m logged in, which makes it easier when the question is about withdrawals or verification, and email replies usually come back within a day.

There’s no phone number, and that will bother some people. You talk to support through chat or email only, and the quality depends a bit on who you get. Some agents are quick and clear, others take longer or sound scripted, especially at busy times.

It’s similar to FanDuel casino’s customer support. It’s not fancy, but it does the job when you need to check a payout or sort out KYC.

Usability and feel review of PokerStars US

PokerStars operates through an instant-play environment on desktop and fully native mobile casino apps. Desktop users can launch the casino either through the PokerStars casino client or through a browser. Mobile users download jurisdiction-specific apps from the App Store or Google Play.

The lobby arranges content into categories such as Slots, Card & Table, Live Casino, and Races, supported by filters for new, popular, jackpot, exclusive, and Megaways titles. Search functions surface provider names and game titles. Account tools, including the Cashier and Stars Rewards, remain accessible from the main navigation regardless of whether the user is in casino, poker, or any attached sports vertical.

PokerStars mobile screenshot image

Navigation and wallet management rely on the same account infrastructure used across PokerStars casino products, so balance information, rewards progress, and game access appear in a unified interface on both desktop and mobile.

Usability facts

CategoryDetails
Mobile appiOS, Android
Mobile games availabilityFull suite
Ease of navigation Great
Game filtersAdvanced
Search functionAdvanced
Loading speed1 second
UI and UX ratingExcellent
Other productsSports

The poker side of PokerStars casino uses a dedicated lobby with its own layout, filters, and table controls. The lobby organizes cash games, tournaments, sit-and-gos, and fast-fold formats into tabs, each including filters for stakes, game type, and table size. 

Important information such as player counts, average pot size, and hands per hour appears directly on the lobby list. On mobile, the poker client condenses the lobby into a scroll with large buttons for the main formats.

Usability rating

90/100 Great layout with stable performance
  • Consistent navigation across products
  • Native mobile app
  • State game menus differ by location
  • Bonus tracking takes practice

When I open PokerStars US, I don’t waste time figuring out what to press. The home screen lines up slots, live games, and tables in clear rows, and the same basic layout appears on both the desktop client and the mobile app. A couple of sessions in, it’s muscle memory: I open casino, tap the category I want, and just pick a game.

Because I move between poker and casino a lot, the shared navigation helps. I switch tabs, not accounts, and the same wallet and Rewards screens follow me around.

However, game menus and promo tiles change by state, so if you travel, the lobby doesn’t  always look identical. Compared with FanDuel Casino or BetMGM, I would place PokerStars in the same bracket: games and menus load quickly, nothing important hides behind strange submenus, and once you learn where things live, everything’s easy.

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Lisa Stanojević
Lisa Stanojević Time2play contributor
Education
Education M.A. in Linguistics
Specialization
Specialization Casino and sports betting step-by-step guides
Experience
Experience Nine years of marketing and freelance writing experience

A university teacher turned content writer, Lisa knows how to hook readers with sharp, tech-savvy content. With roots in B2B, blockchain, and web3, she brings a unique flair to the Time2Play team, keeping global audiences informed and engaged.

Lisa’s work draws readers in with the same dedication she once brought to teaching, making every piece worth sticking around for.

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