1. How To Enter Bonus Code Pokerstars
2. Pokerstars Bonus Code Free Ticket Purchase
3. Pokerstars Bonus Code Free Ticket Codes
4. Pokerstars Bonus Code Free Ticket Booking
5. Pokerstars Bonus Code Free Ticket 2019

Use PokerStars Star Code = FREEHOLIDAY to get free no deposit ticket on Spin & Go on Holiday tourney. PokerStars is PA's only online poker option. Here is everything you need to know about downloading their app in PA and getting a bonus code.

CONTENTS:

• How to Receive Your £20 Free Play Offer
• VIP Club

PokerStars is the biggest and most respected names in online poker, and the company has recently made it easier than ever to experience its services through a low-obligation TWENTY promotion.

PokerStars Bonus Codes

Why Choose PokerStars?

• The big question is why should you choose PokerStars over its competition? The free £20 bonus is an easy answer. Just deposit £10 into PokerStars, and receive £20 in free play tickets, with absolutely no strings attached! And you get more than just that.
• PokerStars has an impeccable reputation, and the brand has built that reputation by treating its clients well. Clients can maintain a large bankroll in their PokerStars account with full confidence that the money is available for withdrawal without hassle.
• Furthermore, PokerStars has a lucrative rewards program and promotional structure, and all of those bonuses are actually fair and designed with the goal of establishing goodwill with its valued clients.

How to Receive Your £20 Free Play Offer

The PokerStars bonus code TWENTY £20 free play offer is a very accessible welcome bonus that is available to all new UK clients on their first deposits.

You must be 18 years or older, new to PokerStars, and register a valid PokerStars account.

We also highly recommend that you register with the PokerStars Marketing Code GPSTSPROMO to ensure you receive this PokerStars bonus.

Then during the registration process, click on Marketing Code and enter the value GPSTSPROMO as shown below:

Once you’ve completed the registration process, visit the PokerStars cashier and make an initial deposit of at least £10 using the deposit code TWENTY. Once the deposit goes through, PokerStars will begin to credit you your £20 in free play tickets. We’ll describe how that works below.

Now that you’ve made a real money deposit, you will automatically get credited your free tournament tickets and cash bonus across the next 6 days. You do not have to play poker to earn these benefits, you will be awarded the prize every day! See the chart below:

So on Day 1, you will receive ten $.50 Spin & Go tickets for a total value of $5. Each ticket provides a shot of winning $5,000.

On Day 2, you will receive five x $1 Spin & Go tickets for a value of $5. These tickets provide a change of winning up to $10,000.

Day 3 awards another five x $1 Spin & Go tickets worth another $5.

Day 4 gives you $5 cash – which you use on any of the poker tables, cash games or tournaments.

Day 5 awards five x $1 Spin & Go tickets again and Day 6 awards another $5 cash, again usable on any of the PokerStars tables.

All this adds up to $30 or £20.

In addition to the free £20, PokerStars immediately provides you with a ticket for its 100K Privilege Freerolls, which is good for up to four $1K freerolls a day over a 31-day span. Note that this part of the bonus is also available to existing clients by making a reload deposit using the code 100K.

PokerStars Download Guide

Follow these guidelines to download PokerStars and receive your free £20 bonus:

Step 1:Click here to visit PokerStars to get the free software.

Step 2: Click on the red “PLAY POKER” button which will launch the download of the PokerStars software. A pop-up window will ask you to either safe the file or run the file. Click the “Save File” or “Run” button to start the download. The PokerStars software is safe to install and virus free. Once the download completes, run/execute the downloaded program from your saved location to begin the installation process on your computer.

Step 3: Complete the software installation. You will first see a screen with the software defaults. Click the “I Agree to the End User License” check box at the bottom of the screen to continue.

Step 4: Create your player account from within the PokerStars software. Choose the “Create Account…” option under the “Account” menu and complete the registration form. At the “Choose Source” prompt, select the “Marketing Code (if applicable)” option and below enter the value “GPSTSPROMO“. This marketing code will ensure you receive all the bonuses available to this player account.

Then validate your account by selecting the “Validate Email Address” option from within the Account menu, and you will be ready to visit the Cashier. For a more complete installation guide, you can see all the detailed PokerStars download steps at http://pokercasinodownload.co.uk/pokerstars-download/.

Step 5: Visit the “Cashier” from within the PokerStars software and make your first deposit. You must deposit a minimum of £10 to receive the £20 free play and you MUST enter the bonus code TWENTY at the deposit prompt. Do not submit your deposit without entering this code! After making your deposit, you will automatically get credited your extra $20 within 36 hours. You will also receive your 31-day ticket for the 100K Privilege Freerolls. The 100K Privilege Freerolls occur four times daily with a prize pool of $1k each! New players can take part in as many of these freerolls as they want in that 31 day period!

Wagering Requirements

The advantage of the free £20 offer is that the £20 is automatically awarded to you as Free Play across 6 days rather than as bonus money. Free-play chips are not available for withdrawal, and as soon as they are wagered, any money won as a result is cleared money that is immediately available for withdrawal.

Standard PokerStars bonuses, such as the £400 First Deposit Bonus, work differently. The bonus is not immediately awarded. Instead, a player must clear the bonus money by earning VIP Player Points (VPPs), which are discussed in an upcoming section. Every 200 VPPs earned clears an additional $10 in bonus money, which is deposited into your account as cash. In other words, it is immediately available for withdrawal. For bonuses with this kind of clearing action, PokerStars allows four months to claim it fully.

You can select any PokerStars bonus with confidence because they are all very fair and not designed to exploit the player. For casual players or those who simply want to test the PokerStars waters, the TWENTY offer is favorable because it requires very little commitment and you can walk away from it with ease. For those willing to deposit more than $20, the STARS400 is a better option if the player can commit to regular play over the next four months. Note that clearing an entire £400 bonus in a single weekend is not out of the question for hardcore poker players.

VIP Club

The PokerStars VIP Club serves as a loyalty program, and all PokerStars members in good standing are automatically enrolled. The currency of the program is the VPPs mentioned earlier. VPPs are earned for purchasing tournament buy-ins, contributing to raked pots and so forth. Each time you earn a VPP, you also earn at least one Frequent Player Point (FPP).

The VIP Club has seven VIP tiers: BronzeStar, ChromeStar, SilverStar, GoldStar, PlatinumStar, SuperNova and SuperNova Elite. New clients begin as BronzeStar members and then move up the ranks based on VPPs earned. BronzeStar members earned one FPP for each VPP earned, but a SuperNova Elite member earns five FPPs for every VPP earned.

The difference between VPPs and FPPs are that FPPs are consumable. Total VPPs earned dictate VIP level, and each new VPP earned goes toward clearing any available bonus money, but the points are never exhausted. FPPs, on the other hand, can be spent, and the player can cash them in for bonuses, live and online tournaments tickets, PokerStars swag and so on. You can read about the full breakdown and analysis of the PokerStars bonus code at https://pokerpromocode.co.uk/pokerstars-marketing-bonus-code/.

About PokerStars

Established in 2001, PokerStars is an online poker room that offers both play-money and real-money poker play. However, it does not currently accept U.S. players for real-money play. Headquartered in the Isle of Man and owned and operated by The Rational Group, PokerStars now has more than 50 million registered clients, and that makes it the largest online poker room in the world. In 2003, Chris Moneymaker won a PokerStars.com World Series of Poker (WSOP) satellite tournament and went on to become the WSOP champion.

PokerStars uses a proprietary software client that is critically acclaimed, and it supports a wide range of game styles beyond just Texas hold ’em, including Omaha, Stud and Badugi. The software allows for diverse personalization and game customization, and PokerStars is recognized for having the highest traffic levels in the industry. High traffic levels during non-peak hours helps to set PokerStars apart from its competition.

If you’d like to try out an alternative poker room, play at America’s most popular poker site – Americas Cardroom!Register with this Americas Cardroom bonus code described here and get a bonus of up to $1,000.

User Reviews

PokerStars is still the best when it comes to the integrity of the game of poker. PokerStars does the best job battling bots, identifying collusion and prohibiting it, and they still offer the biggest tournaments with the largest guaranteed prize pools. These are important factors for an online poker room. Don't believe all the BS about rigged shuffles, I've had my share of bad beats too. There's no point in incessantly whining about them and blaming rigged software, a billion dollar company wouldn't risk their reputation so you could lose 10 quid.

The launch of PokerStars in New Jersey back in 2016 was maybe the most anticipated event in the history of US online poker. Since, PokerStars has brought the heft of its international brand back into the US and re-established itself as a major player in the expanding US poker scene.

Its partnership with Mount Airy Casino in Pennsylvania and the launch of online poker in PA in 2019 brought it one step further into the US market. And PokerStars Michigan became the third state to see the return of PokerStars for online poker players when it launched, in partnership with the Odawa Casino Resort, in January 2021.

Current US states where you can play real-money poker on PokerStars:

How Can I Play on PokerStars in the US?

You can open a new PokerStars account from anywhere in the US (and play play-money poker). But you must be physically within a licensed state’s borders (and be of legal age) to play real money poker.

Below find a complete overview of what PokerStars currently offers poker players in the US; check back to see which new states have been or are soon to be added.

PokerStars marketing code

How to Get Free Money on PokerStars

Players that open a new account at either PokerStars NJ, PokerStars PA or PokerStars MI are welcomed with either $30 free if they deposit $20, or a bonus match up to $600, not both.

Make a deposit of $20 or more using marketing code FREE30 and you are immediately eligible for:

• $30 in free play

PokerStars Free Play Bonus includes:

• $20 Bonus Money
• $10 in Spin & Go tickets
• Free entry into a $5,000 depositor freeroll
• 1 million in Play-Money chips

Note:Freeroll ticket and play-money chips are added to your account immediately. The first $10 in bonus money is credited to your account within 36 hours of deposit; final $10 in bonus money credited to your account 7 days after first deposit.

Spin & Go tickets are awarded as follows:

• Day 1: 3 x $1 Spin & Go tickets
• Day 2: 1 x $2 Spin & Go ticket
• Day 3: 1 x $5 Spin & Go ticket

PokerStars Spin & Go’s

Spin & Go’s are PokerStars’ signature Jackpot Sit & Go tournaments which multiply the prize pool randomly before the tournament begins. Buy-ins are from $1-$25 and each tournament then awards from 2x to 1,000 times your buy-in.

Spin & Go’s are three-handed turbo events that play out very fast and can give you amazing opportunities for big scores (up to $25,000 prize pools) compared to the buy-in.

Note that Spin & Go’s are not available in Pennsylvania.

PokerStars Deposit Bonus

The first-deposit bonus for PokerStars US players, using the marketing code STARS600, is:

• 100% match bonus up to $600

That means whatever amount you deposit (up to $600) will be matched by PokerStars in bonus money.

The bonus releases in $10 increments for every 100 VIP Player Points (VPPs) earned. That is equivalent to an unprecedented 55% rakeback rate.

PokerStars awards VPPs at a rate of 5.5 for every $1 in rake paid at cash games, SNGs and tournaments. Any portion of the bonus not cleared within 120 days expires.

As part of the offer, players also get a $5,000 depositor freeroll ticket.

PokerStars Download

New PokerStars players have two ways to download the PokerStars platform and hit the tables:

• Full PokerStars download for PC or Mac (Apple)
• Download PokerStars app for your iPhone/iPad/Android

Both are fast and simple. To start the download on your computer, just click the appropriate link below for your state to get to the main PokerStars download page. Here are shortcuts for NJ and PA:

PokerStars software works for both for PCsand Macs; it’ll self-prompt you to download the proper format for your computer type. Once you’ve downloaded the PokerStars software you’ll finish the registration process by:

• Creating your Stars ID (your poker screen name)
• Setting your password
• Entering the rest of your personal details required (email, age, etc) a
• Bonus Code (see above)

Your account will be operational in minutes. You can also access your 1 million in play-money chips right away. If you want to play real money poker at PokerStars, you’ll also need to:

• Download the Geolocation software to confirm you’re within New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Michigan state borders
• Make a deposit to your account via any of the accepted methods via the “Cashier” tab

More on your deposit (& cashout) options below.

Download the PokerStars App

PokerStars has a slick and easy-to-use poker app for playing both play-money and real money poker. You can open an account via the App alone or create an account on your desktop and then log-in via the App to play.

To download the app for your iPhone, iPad or Android:

• Download the app to your iOS or Android device
• Register your account (or log in to your created account)
• Make a deposit or buy/play with play-money chips

PokerStars App – Game Play

The PokerStars app is made for poker players so its known for its ease-of-use and in-game functionality.

Finding cash games and tournaments is simple with a slide bar to scroll through cash games, MTTs, SnGs and Spin & Go’s; there’s also a tab at the top to toggle between real-money and play-money games.

The Lobby, Cashier, My Stars account, Challenges, Leaderboards and Customizable settings are also easy to find and use. If you want to make a real-money deposit it’s hard to miss the “Deposit” icon – just tap and you’ll be walked through depositing in a few simple steps.

As for the action at the tables, as PokerStars has always been made by poker players the betting slide bars and buttons are well positioned and easily distinguishable to avoid misclicks.

Following the action at the table is clear and straight-forward and the betting bar allows for quick increment changes. Check/fold buttons are also big and visible as are set betting increments. Multi-tabling is also possible via the app.

PokerStars cash games and tournaments

Cash Games

PokerStars offers the widest variety of cash games in US online poker:

• No Limit Hold ’em
• Limit Hold ’em
• Pot Limit Ohama
• Limit Omaha Hi/Lo
• Eight Game
• Limit Stud
• Limit Stud Hi/Lo

And the list goes on. No Limit Hold‘em games dominate the lobby with popular stakes running from $0.05/$0.10 to $2.50/$5.00. NL Hold ‘em Zoom Poker (fast-fold) games also go off regularly, even more so when there’s a cash game promotion running.

SNGs

SNGs are always popular on PokerStars. The ones that do run are generally low- to mid-stakes No Limit Hold ‘em turbo games. Most of the site’s SNGs are of the 6-max variety, although heads-up games run as well.

Spin ‘n Gos

As mentioned above, Spin & Go’s are arguably the site’s mostpopular format. These three-person, hyper turbo games are known for their randomized payouts and blistering pace.

The format is available at the $1, $2, $5, $10 and $25 buy-in levels, and feature jackpot prizes of 1,000x a player’s buy-in.

Multi-table tournaments (MTTs)

PokerStars is the home for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan’s biggest online tournament series events. The annual New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan Championships of Online Poker and Spring Championship of Online Poker feature dozens of events and $1 million+ guaranteed prize pools.

PokerStars also host a nice selection of smaller tournament series events throughout the calendar year, and special events like PennsylMania. That’s a recurring special event which had a prize pool of over half a million dollars with just a $200 buy in on its first go.

As for its daily and weekly MTT schedules, PokerStars also makes the grade. The site offers a dozen nightly majors with buy-ins ranging from $5 to $100 and spanning multiple game formats.

Weekend tournaments guarantee as much as $50,000, and often more during special events. Here’s a quick glimpse of PokerStars’ most popular tournament offerings in the US:

• The Big $5(4 p.m. EST): $5 buy-in, $500 guaranteed
• The Big $30(5 p.m. EST): $30 buy-in, $1,000 guaranteed
• The Big $50(6 p.m. EST): $50 buy-in, $2,000 guaranteed
• The Big $10(6 p.m. EST): $10 buy-in, $1,000 guaranteed
• The Big $20(7 p.m. EST): $20 buy-in, $1,500 guaranteed

More daily tournaments include:

• Hot Turbos
• KO Fever
• Nightly Stars
• Moonlight Express for No-Limit Hold ’em
• Change-up for Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo and Stud

Sunday Majors on PokerStars US

• Sunday Warm-Up(4 p.m. EST): $50 buy-in, $8,500 guaranteed
• Sunday Storm(5 p.m. EST): $10 buy-in, $4,500 guaranteed
• SundaySpecial(6 p.m. EST): $200 buy-in, $45,000 guaranteed
• Sunday High Roller(7 p.m. EST): $500 buy-in, $15,000 guaranteed
• SundaySupersonic(10 p.m. EST): $75 buy-in, $5,000 guaranteed

PokerStars Home Games

One of the favorite features for some players on PokerStars is the Home Games feature, which allows you to set up your own private poker club. You can then invite your friends to play poker online in any format you like, from cash games to tournaments to SnGs.

If you live or play in PA and NJ you can do so against each other with real money in your accounts. You can also play with play money and settle up outside of the poker game itself.

PokerStars Deposits & Cashouts

Deposits

With fully licensed and legal online poker comes a slew of easy-to-use and secure deposit and withdrawal methods. All transactions, via either the desktop or app, are encrypted, secure and protected.

Once your proper account ID and verification are set-up depositing to PokerStars NJ or PokerStars PA is virtually instantaneous. Popular deposit methods include:

• Instant e-checks (ACH)
• Skrill
• Mastercard/Visa credit or debit cards
• PokerStars Instant online banking
• PayNearMe (7/11)
• Cash at the Live Casino partner’s cage (check with casino to confirm: Resorts Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ; Mount Airy Casino in PA; Odawa Casino in Petoskey, MI)
• PokerStars Play+ Card

Of these, players should consider Instant e-checks as their first line of offense. The Play+ Card is also a great option for players who have trouble completing ACH transactions. Those who favor in-person transactions are best opting for PayNearMe or cash at the casino cage.

Cashouts

Players are slightly more restricted with regard to withdrawals but still have plenty of options in both states:

• Instant e-checks
• Skrill
• Cash at the cage
• PokerStars Play+ Card

Generally speaking players must use a method as a deposit vehicle first before withdrawing via the same method.

Poker Stars Promotions

Alongside the Free Play and Deposit Bonuses, PokerStars NJ and PokerStars PA run plenty of ongoing promotions for players. Among the current or past promotions we’ve seen:

• $10,00 Summer Holidays Challenge
• Daily $20,000 Golden Button Challenge
• Monthly MTT Leaderboards
• Online satellites and Spin & Go’s for live tournament seats and packages

Check PokerStars’ promotions page in a particular state for ongoing promotions.

PokerStars Live Tournaments & Packages

PokerStars hosts some pretty spectacular live events around the world and players in the US can take advantage of low buy-in satellites online to win seats and packages. Players can win seats and full travel packages to live events including:

• European Poker Tour
• PokerStars Caribbean Adventure
• PokerStars Live London

and more. Also expected to return in 2020 was the:

• PokerStars Players NL Hold’em Championship (PSPC)

The first edition ran in 2019 and awarded over $26 million in total to players that cashed.

Buy-in is €22,500 (approximately $25,000) but you can win your way there for much, much cheaper via the online satellites. Find the full daily and weekly satellite schedule for live events in the ‘Events’ and ‘Live’ tabs in the lobby.

PokerStars player rewards

All real money poker players at PokerStars are eligible for reward prizes through the Stars Rewards Program. Players get personalized rewards based on their playing preferences across all of the site’s products – casino and sports betting included.

Players who play real money games earn Rewards Points as they play. As you accrue points you’ll fill up an on-screen progress bar. When you reach the end of the bar for that reward level you will earn a Reward Chest to open.

Inside the Chest will be personalized rewards that best suit your level of play. There are six chest levels of increasing size and average value:

• Blue Chest ($0.25-$5)
• Bronze Chest ($0.60-$12)
• Silver Chest ($1.50-$30)
• Gold Chest ($5-$100)
• Diamond Chest ($12.50-$250)
• Black Chest ($35-$700)

Chests can contain StarsCoin — a virtual currency that players can spend at the site’s rewards store — tickets, and goods tailored to players’ preferences. Players can also win Top Rewards, which are massive prizes divided randomly among chests.

Boosts are also available whereby players will earn points at an augmented rate for a limited time.

PokerStars Customer Service

PokerStars offers an extensive FAQ portal divided into four primary sections:

• Support
• Deposit and Cash Out
• Security
• Account

Most of the common questions people have when creating/using a PokerStars account can be solved right there. Players can also fill out the site’s support form to request a callback or written response from an agent.

Is PokerStars Safe?

Beyond being one of the most reputable online poker brands in the entire world, every PokerStars US poker site is subject to rigorous vetting and regulations by the individual state’s Department of Gaming Enforcement.

• In NewJersey, PokerStars has been approved and licensed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).
• In Pennsylvania, PokerStars has been approved and licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PCGB).
• In Michigan, PokerStars has been approved and licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MCGB).

It’s more than accurate to say PokerStars stands apart as one of the safest poker sites online.

PokerStars VR

Virtual Reality has come to poker in the form of PokerStars VR. If you choose to dive in, your perception of live poker will never be the same.

You’ll need the proper VR equipment (and graphics support) to try it out but if you do you’ll be rewarded with a one-of-a-kind, authentic, free poker experience like you’ve never seen before. PokerStars VR offers:

• Dazzling realism from chip to cards to players to dealers
• Real opponents in free ring games
• Immersive, total poker experience with authentic body language, props and accessories
• Play against your friends on private tables or against other players across the world
• Streaming media integration
• Free chips and in-game purchases
• Exotic playing locales including Macau 2050, Monte Carlo Yacht, Showdown Saloon and Galaxy Space Station
• New SnGs plus weekly leaderboards

You can download PokerStars VR from:

• Oculus Store
• Steam
• Viveport

PokerStars US FAQ

Is PokerStars Legal in the US?

Yes. PokerStars officially relaunched to players in New Jersey on March 21, 2016. It launched in Pennsylvania on Nov. 4, 2019. It arrived in Michigan on January 29, 2021. These are currently the only 3 states where PokerStars can legally offer online poker games for real-money but more are soon to come.

Can I play at PokerStars in states outside of New Jersey?

PokerStars is currently licensed to offer games in three US states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania & Michigan.

Players from anywhere can sign up and create a new account but to play real money poker online (either cash games or tournaments) you must be physically within the state’s borders. You do not have to be a resident of either state to play.

How does PokerStars know I’m in NJ, MI or PA?

In order to abide by official state gaming regulations PokerStars must guarantee players accessing its real-money games are within state borders. To do so, players on PokerStars must download a geolocation app along with the PokerStars software or PokerStars App.

Can PokerStars US players play against international PokerStars players?

No, PokerStars US only includes players within the US as of 2019. There is a current compact that allows for a shared player pool between online poker players in New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware but PokerStars does not have a site in Nevada or Delaware.

PokerStars PA and MI players are also ring-fenced and only able to play against each other. There is a likelihood, though, that all state player pools will eventually be merged among similarly licensed online poker states.

One day there is hope the full international player pool (or a portion of it) will be available again to US players.

What caused the delay of PokerStars in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement had concerns about the past legal issues of PokerStars involving the US Department of Justice. The original PokerStars founder had not yet settled with the US Government at the time of the sale to Amaya Gaming.

The sale of PokerStars satisfied any issues New Jersey regulators had with the company.

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Are SNG tournaments available ?

Yes. PokerStars has SNGs. Michigan and New Jersey (but not Pennsylvania) have Spin and Go’s as well.

Why does PokerStars have a casino partner in each state?

New Jersey interactive gaming law requires software providers to partner with Atlantic City casinos through their existing license. Casinos can host up to five gaming sites on a brick-and-mortar license.

Likewise, Pennsylvania and Michigan require online poker sites to have a land-based partner.

Which Atlantic City casino is PokerStars’ partner?

PokerStars is partners with ResortsCasino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Which Pennsylvania casino is PokerStars’ partner?

PokerStars is partners with Mount Airy Casino in Pennsylvania.

Which Michigan casino is PokerStars’ partner?

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PokerStars is partners with Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey.

Does PokerStars offer casino games?

Yes, PokerStars offers casino games via Stars Casino. You can also sports bet with its sister set, FoxBet.

How big are the Sunday PokerStars tournaments in New Jersey?

Due to the market’s low-population cap, the tournament prize pools on PokerStars New Jersey are not nearly as large as they on the operator’s international site.

At present, the biggest Sunday major is the Sunday Special, which guarantees $50,000. Following that is the Sunday High Roller ($500 buy-in, $15,000 GTD).

There is also a bevy of nightly and weekly tournaments that guarantee a minimum prize pool of $10,000.

PokerStars US Review

Pokerstars Bonus Code Free Ticket Codes

PokerStars Quick Review

• Traffic - 91

• Depth of Game Selection - 93

• Software - 98

• Customer Support - 84

• Promotional Value - 94

Summary

The PokerStars client is nothing short of stellar, matching the quality of its award-winning international platform nearly every step of the way. PokerStars also offers two generous, first-time deposit bonus; one tailored toward recreational players and another to regulars. Biannual tournament events that guarantee over $1.2 million each and an eclectic mix of game formats round out New Jersey's most complete online poker package. Now if only customer service were more accessible.

PokerStars’ History

PokerStars is the world’s largest online poker site. It peaks in the neighborhood of 20,000 players daily, according to PokerScout.

In addition to its international poker site, it also holds licenses in the ring-fenced markets of Italy, France and Spain. It is the largest site in two of these three regulated and ring-fenced countries.

PokerStars was not always the largest online poker room in the world. PartyPoker held that distinction until October 2006, when it left the US market. PartyPoker has the most cash-game players, but PokerStars had more tournament participants.

As a result, PokerStars immediately became the largest cash-game site when it announced it would stay in the US market after 2006. It raked an estimated $2 million per day after this decision.

PokerStars’ legal woes

Because of this success, the US Department of Justice took notice. PokerStars became the target of an investigation from the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York.

On April 15, 2011, an indictment was unsealed that named PokerStars and two executives. The charges related to violating the Illegal Gambling Business Act and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Furthermore, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker were also named on the same indictment.

PokerStars immediately withdrew from the US market, as did Full Tilt and Absolute Poker. Most noteworthy is that PokerStars was able to reimburse account balances for US players within 10 days. Full Tilt and Absolute Poker were unable to pay.

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Subsequently, PokerStars acquired Full Tilt through a corporate settlement with the US Justice Department worth $731 million. Part of this settlement went toward paying Full Tilt Poker players that were victims of what the federal government described as fraud.

Once these charges were settled, PokerStars attempted to gain licensing in New Jersey for the state’s new interactive gaming industry that launched in November 2013. They partnered with Resorts.

PokerStars previously attempted to buy the Atlantic Club. They infused the ailing casino with much-needed cash while it attempted to get licensed. Atlantic Club backed out of the deal after the guaranteed closing date passed.

It appeared Atlantic Club was hoping to fetch a higher sales price. That never materialized. Atlantic Club fell into bankruptcy and closed in January 2014. Subsequently, its assets were divided between Caesars Entertainment and Tropicana Entertainment through a bankruptcy auction.

While PokerStars resolved its case through a civil settlement, executives of PokerStars never resolved their charges. This was the reason cited by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement for suspending its gaming license application for two years.

PokerStars’ new owner and eventual entry into New Jersey

Rational Group, the parent company of PokerStars, decided the solution was to sell the company. Amaya Gaming was the suitor.

Amaya Gaming acquired PokerStars in July 2014 for $4.9 billion. As a result, PokerStars’ equity holders left the company at the close of the transaction.

It appears that this merger was the catalyst that gave PokerStars the green light in New Jersey. The Division of Gaming Enforcement is satisfied that PokerStars is now suitable.

Amaya Gaming was already licensed in New Jersey. It maintains several casino platforms, as well as Betfair’s poker platform.

The path was more straightforward to PokerStars to get licensed in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and it managed to be the first online poker site regulated by the state gaming control boards to launch in each state.

Amaya Gaming would either need to defeat that language in bills before they become law or prevail in court challenges under the position that the so-called bad actor clauses are unconstitutional.

Additionally, online poker regulations in Nevada include a tainted asset clause. This means that the sale of PokerStars does not clean the brand in the eyes of regulators. Unless current Nevada law changes, or is found unconstitutional, PokerStars will never operate in Nevada.

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Delaware has no such language in its online poker regulations.