PokerStars Casino

Pokerstars Casino Sister Sites 2024

PokerStars

We find it very difficult to imagine that there’s anyone out there who’s heard of PokerStars Casino but has never heard of PokerStars, but for the purposes of this list of PokerStars Casino sister sites, let’s assume that such a person exists. If they didn’t, we wouldn’t have any PokerStars Casino sister sites to tell you about at all. There used to be other sites and casinos on this platform, including Bet Stars and Full Tilt, but Stars Interactive Limited has scaled back its operations extensively since becoming the property of Flutter Entertainment Limited. As such, PokerStars is the only brand that the company still operates. There’s no shame in that, though – it’s the biggest poker brand in the world.

The relationship between PokerStars and PokerStars Casino isn’t one of real sister sites. PokerStars is the star brand, and PokerStars Casino is merely a spin-off from it, confined to a minisite within the main PokerStars website. We’ve got a very detailed information section about the PokerStars brand at the bottom of this page, but if you’re interested in poker, all you need to know is that you won’t find a poker site anywhere on the internet bigger than this one. From the in-person tournaments that it operates to the celebrities that the brand has partnered with, everything about PokerStars is a big deal.

The above is just one way of looking at the situation with the PokerStars Casino sister sites. Another way would be to say that there are actually several other sites on this platform, including the likes of Sky Vegas, Sky Bet, Tombola, Paddy Power and Betfair, on account of all of those famous names operating alongside PokerStars Casino under the Flutter Entertainment Plc umbrella. However, we’re going off the licensing status of the website. PokerStars and PokerStars Casino are the only active sites licensed to Stars Interactive Limited according to the UK Gambling Commission, so the other Flutter sites shouldn’t be classed as PokerStars Casino sister sites. You’re free to disagree with that assessment, though, and the highlighted links will take you to our pages for any of those sites if you so desire.

Can PokerStars Casino Be Trusted?

★★★★★

PokerStars Casino is a 3-star trusted casino.

1. UKGC License	Through Stars Interactive, PokerStars Casino is covered by UK Gambling Commission licence 39108.
2. UKGC Fines	Stars Interactive Limited has managed to maintain a clean track record with the regulator.
3. Customer Service	The only route to customer support at PokerStars Casino is through live chat.
4. Trustpilot Score	After over thirty reviews, PokerStars Casino has a Trustpilot score of 2.6 out of 5.0. That’s a little below average.
5. Company Location	Stars Interactive Limited is based in the Isle of Man.
6. Visible Promo T&C’s	The terms and conditions of the promotions at PokerStars Casino are clearly stated.
7. Social Media Presence	PokerStars has its own Facebook and X.com accounts independently of the main PokerStars brands, and posts on them both regularly.
8. Number of Sister Sites	The only other true member of the PokerStars Casino sister sites family is PokerStars itself.
9. Games portfolio	Claims to have “More slots than most online casinos” without explicitly giving the number, but is clearly well-stocked.
10. Gamstop links	The clickable GamStop logo in the footer of the PokerStars Casino website is so small that you’re unlikely to find it unless you’re specifically looking for it.
Overall SCORE >	★★★★★ – 3/5 Stars

PokerStars Casino Review 2024

Many know PokerStars as the largest real-money online poker website in the world. What many may not know is that the PokerStars brand also offers a standalone (ish) casino website, which can be viewed as an extension of the PokerStars brand. Is it a successful extension? Let’s take a look.

PokerStars Casino Welcome Offers

PokerStars Casino’s welcome promotion offers an opportunity to double the initial deposit up to £200, but it isn’t the easiest promotion to understand. Let’s break it down. To participate in this offer, new players are required to make a first deposit of at least £20 using the code ‘FIRST200’. The offer allows the deposit to be matched, with the maximum qualifying deposit set at £200. In addition to doubling the deposit, the offer includes 50 Free Spins on eligible slot games. This offer is limited to one per person, household, or IP address and is exclusively available to players who have not previously deposited with any of PokerStars’ brands. The qualifying deposit for this offer must be made using a debit card (Visa or Mastercard), as deposits made through other methods are not eligible for the bonus.

Upon making the qualifying deposit, players receive a Casino Instant Bonus equal to twice the amount deposited, with a maximum bonus of £400 for a £200 deposit. This bonus, however, comes with specific wagering requirements. Players are required to earn five redemption points per £1 of Casino Instant Bonus awarded within seven days before the bonus expires to convert the bonus and any winnings into cash that can be withdrawn. The offer stipulates that only certain games contribute 100% towards the wagering requirement. These games include titles such as 3 Witches Classic and Big Bass Bonanza at present, but that could change at any time. When using the Casino Instant Bonus, the maximum bet per round is set at £5. Bets exceeding this amount will use funds from the player’s real money balance.

Ongoing Promotions

There are plenty of ongoing promotions at PokerStars Casino, but most of them are short-term challenges related to specific games. The biggest ongoing reward at the site is the PokerStars Reward scheme. It’s impossible to separate the casino version of PokerStars Rewards from the general poker version of PokerStars Rewards, so we’ll give you an overview of the entire scheme.

PokerStars Rewards is a program designed to offer players more value, transparency, and varied ways to win rewards. It allows poker players to earn up to 25% in rewards, with 100 reward points granted for every £1 paid in rake or fees across all tournaments and cash games, including high stakes. Additionally, the program features Monthly Poker Challenges, which can provide up to an extra 40% in rewards. This means that the highest-level players can potentially receive up to 65% back with PokerStars Rewards. The program operates on a simple principle: play real money games, earn reward points, and receive personalized rewards. Players accumulate points to complete progress bars, unlocking Chests filled with rewards tailored to their game preferences, including StarsCoin for use in the Rewards Store. These rewards can be managed in the ‘My Rewards’ area of a player’s account.

The PokerStars Rewards system comprises six levels, each offering a different Chest type with increasing value. The requirements for each level include the number of reward points needed, the Chest value, and the number of Chests required to level up within a rolling 28-day period. If a player does not win a Chest within 28 days, their progress bar resets, and they move down a level, receiving easier-to-win Chests with lower-value rewards. Reward points are earned differently based on gaming activity: 100 points per £1 in poker fees, variable rates in the casino, and 1.1 to 3.1 points per £1 wagered in sports. The Monthly Poker Challenges, available from the Silver Chest Level, offer additional rewards based on a player’s points target and playing history, with the potential reward ranging from 10% to 40% of rake and tournament fees paid. The PokerStars Rewards Program has specific terms and conditions, including the right to modify the program, requirements for earning points, and the nature of the rewards, which may include cash, game credit, or StarsCoin.

PokerStars Casino Pros and Cons

Pros: If you use an e-wallet, PokerStars Casino can offer you instant withdrawals. That’s a major plus to using the casino. The system of promotions and incentives might be a little complicated, but it can lead to the winning or acquisition of physical goods from the PokerStars store if you can accumulate enough reward points. The slots and games here are all drawn from major providers, and some are exclusive to the site.

Cons: If you’re not using an e-wallet, you could be waiting up to ten working days for your withdrawal, which is deathly slow. The terms and conditions of the promotions – especially the welcome promotion – are confusing, offering a points-based redemption system rather than standard wagering requirements.

Top Games at PokerStars Casino

As we said above, PokerStars Casino is in the fortunate position of being able to offer exclusive games to its players, which is a consequence of the PokerStars brand being such a big deal. While there are live casino and race games to play with inside PokerStars Casino, slots are the first category you’ll see when you land on the minisite’s homepage. As such, we’re treating slots as the top games at PokerStars Casino. Of the great many that are available, these are the most prominently featured:-

“Big Bass Splash,” a sequel to the popular “Big Bass Bonanza” by Reel Kingdom, enhances the fishing-themed slot experience with improved gameplay and a higher winning potential. This game stands out with its array of modifiers, offering payouts up to 5,000 times the bet. Set in a 5-reel, 3-row format, it features ten paylines and high volatility, with an RTP of 95.67%. The game’s free spins round is central to the action, where new fisherman Wild symbols play a crucial role in collecting cash prizes from fish symbols. Each fish symbol can carry a random cash value, significantly boosting the winning potential. “Big Bass Splash” is ideal for players seeking an engaging slot experience with the chance of substantial rewards.

“Book of Dead” is a renowned slot game by Play’n Go, often compared to the classic “Book of Ra.” Launched in January 2014, this game has become a favourite among UK players. It features an adventurous theme with the main character, Rich Wilde, exploring Egypt to uncover ancient artefacts. The game, set on a 5×3 grid with 10 paylines, offers exciting bonus features, including Expanding Symbols and Free Spins. With high volatility and an RTP of 96.21%, it promises substantial payouts, offering a maximum win of up to 5,000 times the stake. “Book of Dead” is optimised for mobile play and has become a staple in the online slot world, appealing to players seeking thrilling gameplay and significant win potential.

“Gates of Olympus,” a Greek-themed slot by Pragmatic Play, offers an immersive experience with Zeus, the God of Storms, set against the backdrop of Mount Olympus. This visually stunning game features a 6×5 grid with the unique ‘Pay Anywhere’ system, where symbols pay regardless of their position. The game is known for its high volatility and an RTP of 95.51%, offering a maximum win potential of up to 5,000 times the stake. Key features include Tumble mechanics, Random Multipliers, and a Free Spins round, enhancing the gameplay. “Gates of Olympus” is popular for its engaging theme, innovative mechanics, and the potential for significant payouts, making it a firm favourite among players.

Withdrawal Options and Support

We touched on this topic above. You won’t struggle to find a way to get your money out of PokerStars Casino. Whether you want to use your UK-registered debit card (Visa, Mastercard and Maestro are all welcome) or an e-wallet like PayPal, Neteller or Skrill, your chosen method will be supported. You could even use lesser-known methods like MuchBetter or get your money out through Apple Pay or Google Pay. Trustly, for some strange reason, is supported for deposits but not withdrawals. All e-wallet withdrawals at PokerStars Casino are funded within minutes, but every other method is subject to a turnaround time of up to ten working days. In other words, you’d best get an e-wallet if you want to play here.

Customer Support and License

PokerStars Casino keeps things simple when it comes to customer support – the only way to contact the casino is through its live chat option. The opening hours of the chat system aren’t stated, so while we hope it’s there 24/7, we can’t confirm this to be the case. When it comes to licensing, PokerStars Casino is covered by the UK Gambling Commission licence that Stars Interactive Limited holds under account number 39108. This same licence covers all of the PokerStars Casino sister sites.

PokerStars Casino – The Verdict

PokerStars Casino is what it was designed to be – a glamorous extension of the original PokerStars brand. We wish the bonus terms were easier to follow, and faster withdrawals to debit cards would be a nice perk, but if you’re coming to PokerStars Casino armed with an e-wallet and you don’t mind spending a little time reading the small print of the terms and conditions, you could have a good time here. It’ll never be as big as PokerStars itself is, but it was never designed to get that big anyway.

What are players saying about PokerStars Casino?

Here are our condensed / reader’s digest summaries of recent player reviews of PokerStars Casino.

• 04-Dec-2023 by Anon:
  I’ve read mixed reviews about PokerStars Casino, but my experience was positive. I deposited £80, had some small wins, and was able to withdraw £370 quickly within a few hours. However, the games do have high volatility, even the supposedly low-volatility slots. – source: Trustpilot
• 21-Feb-2023 by William:
  Withdrawing money from PokerStars Casino is impossible, and their verification process is unmanageable. I deeply regret getting involved with this company and advise others to avoid it at all costs. – source: Trustpilot
• 16-Feb-2023 by James:
  I’m continuing my review from earlier. I suggest contacting Bill Sweasy, owner of the Michigan-based Ice Hockey Team “The Red Wings”, who sponsors PokerStars, about any unfair treatment. Also, I recommend bombarding the Gambling Commission with complaints. PokerStars must be held accountable for taking people’s money unfairly. – source: Trustpilot
• 03-Oct-2022 by Cemaliye:
  I constantly encounter errors on PokerStars Casino, and no one seems to sort them out. – source: Trustpilot
• 24-Aug-2022 by Megan:
  I won on a bonus feature at PokerStars Casino, but the win wasn’t added to my balance. It was extremely difficult to identify the correct spin, and none of the game history showed me being on a feature. This experience made me feel sick. – source: Trustpilot
• 19-Jun-2022 by Customer:
  The verification process for my first withdrawal at PokerStars was stressful. The software frequently freezes, and the support team blamed my internet connection for technical issues, which is nonsense. – source: Trustpilot
• 04-May-2022 by AJ:
  After a bad initial experience with PokerStars Casino, they finally came through with the promised free spins, and I had some wins on bonuses. Withdrawals have been issue-free, though only for small amounts. It seems to be one of the fairest online casinos. – source: Trustpilot
• 17-Apr-2022 by Andy:
  PokerStars Casino feels like a standard algorithm-based site. Once you reach a certain level, all bonuses on games halt. However, they do offer decent rewards with their bonus chests, even if they don’t take you very far. – source: Trustpilot
• 12-Apr-2022 by Marcin:
  I can’t believe the positive reviews for PokerStars Casino; they must be paid for them. This site is a scam and should be prosecuted. They are shameless thieves with no honour or morals. I highly suggest avoiding this casino. – source: Trustpilot
• 07-Mar-2022 by Janine:
  I tried PokerStars Casino out of curiosity, and it’s a total scam. They offer a bonus sign-up, but after winning and attempting to withdraw, they freeze your account, ask for ID, and then reject the verification. I’ll be reporting this, but I advise others to avoid this site. – source: Trustpilot

Pokerstars Casino – A Deeper Dive

World Domination

You can’t always believe everything you read on Wikipedia, but you can believe the first paragraph of its entry about the PokerStars casino. This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the world’s biggest online poker site. It has a market share of more than 66%. Think about how many online casinos you’re aware of that offer poker, and then think again about how incredible that number is. For two out of every three players, when they think about playing poker on the internet, they think about PokerStars.

If you’re still struggling to picture how big a deal PokerStars is, we’ll try to put it in context with a few figures and statistics. The PokerStars UK Facebook page has more than two million followers. Twenty thousand people follow the UK Pokerstars Twitter account. Over on YouTube, which is a platform that’s notoriously difficult for casino and gambling companies to attract followers on, PokerStars has just under 1.2m subscribers. The usual limitations don’t apply to PokerStars. This is a casino and gaming brand that’s taken over the world.

The Moneymaker Effect

Poker has a growing reputation as a spectator sport. There are still far more people who think they’re good at poker than there are people who are genuinely good at poker, but anyone who plays the game regularly probably also watches it to pick up tips from the pros. The best place on the internet to watch it is the PokerStars YouTube channel, which is why it has so many followers.

The current popularity of poker is down to something called “The Moneymaker Effect” – a recognised poker phenomenon that has its own Wikipedia entry. In 2003, Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker tournament. He did so after qualifying for the prestigious tournament via an online poker contest at the PokerStars website. Never in the history of the game had anyone come through online qualifying to win the World Series of Poker competition before. It sent out the message that anyone can win the big tournaments, not just those who play professionally. Suddenly, everybody wanted to be a poker player.

Celebrity Friends

Most casino websites have to offer money to celebrities to persuade them to advertise their brand. For Pokerstars, celebrities come to them wanting to compete for the company’s celebrity team. There’s an official “Pokerstars Pro” team of players who compete in all the major tournaments, but PokerStars also has two celebrity teams. Their reasoning is probably that everywhere the celebrity teams go will create media attention for the casino brand, and it’s a strategy that works.

The first celebrity PokerStars team is called, appropriately enough, “Friends of PokerStars.” The second is a sports-themed team called “SportsStars.” Membership of the teams has changed a few times over the years, but the last time the celebrity team competed in an event, it was headed by the American comedian and movie star Kevin Hart. Legendary gold-medal-winning sprinter Usain Bolt had the same honour for the “SportStars” team. Listing the former members of both teams is a little like going through a “who’s who” of who’s been famous since the turn of the century, including Boris Becker, Cristiano Ronaldo, the first Ronaldo, and Rafael Nadal.

Neymar Jr, Brand Ambassador

The marketing department at PokerStars must have found that endorsement and associations with big stars from the world of sport are the best way to attract players to their casino. That’s why they spent big money on recruiting global football icon Neymar jr as a “cultural ambassador” in 2020. The 29-year-old Brazilian forward, formerly of Barcelona and now of Paris Saint Germain, is one of the most recognisable players in the world after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. According to PokerStars, he plans to become a professional poker player when he eventually retires from football and will be sponsored by PokerStars when he does so.

Whether there’s any truth to the idea of Neymar becoming a professional poker player or not is up for debate. There must be something to the idea of him loving the game, though, as his dog is called “Poker.” The important thing from PokerStars’ point of view is that they get to use Neymar in advertising, and that’s a big deal for them and for their audience. He makes regular appearances on the PokerStars YouTube channels, either showing off his card skills or answering questions from fans. The deal between Neymar and the casino is thought to be a long-term one, so he’ll continue to appear in their promotional material for the foreseeable future.

Epic Advertising

PokerStars doesn’t really need to spend money on advertising. It gets all the attention it needs through its endorsements and celebrity partners, and it can make news in its own right. Because poker is now covered like a sport by some television networks and newspapers, news of a big win in a PokerStars tournament tends to get picked up by mainstream publishers. Nevertheless, the company continues to advertise on television – and shows a very dramatic flair when doing so.

The most recent PokerStars TV campaign was called “Epic Downtime” and featured Alfonso Steele in the starring role. It’s a rare outing in a leading role for Steele, who’s better known for his work as one of Hollywood’s favourite stuntmen. In truth, the work he does in the commercial turns out to be something of a busman’s holiday for him.

Steele emerges through a door onto the roof of a high-rise building, dives through a waiting crowd of zombies, and then launches himself off the rooftop onto a bouncy castle waiting far beneath him. A director shouts “cut,” and suddenly we realise what’s going on. Steele is shooting an action movie, but he’s done for the day. A cart comes to pick him up and take him back to his caravan, and while Steele’s waiting to get there, he plays PokerStars games on his phone. The message is that a man like Steele needs constant excitement, and when he’s not getting it from performing stunts in films, he gets it from the PokerStars websites. He’s probably the least famous person we’ve mentioned in connection with PokerStars in this article, but the commercial is still effective.