PokerStars Casino – Our Verdict

Bursting with exclusive games, multiple welcome packages, and enough promotions to keep you entertained for hours, PokerStars Casino is a fan-favorite among many US players. Fusing its award-winning, WSOP-standard poker platform with a state-of-the-art online casino, PokerStars succeeds in its mission to provide a well-rounded and secure place to play. 

In this in-depth PokerStars Casino review, I’ll show you exactly what makes it a big hit with US bettors. Numerous promotions, large game libraries, popular payment methods, efficient customer service – the list goes on. Keep reading to find out why PokerStars should be your next online casino of choice, and register today to claim one of two generous welcome bonuses. 

About PokerStars Casino 

As the name suggests, PokerStars began its life as a real-money poker website way back in 2001. In the two decades since, PokerStars has grown from a humble poker platform into an iGaming conglomerate, incorporating casino and sports betting into the mix and becoming one of the most popular places to play in the US.  

So far, PokerStars Casino has launched in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The operator’s award-winning poker platform is live and legal in all three, making it the ultimate online playground for casino and poker enthusiasts alike. 

PokerStars Casino Mobile Experience

Available on both the App and Google Play Stores, the PokerStars Casino mobile app is a great way to gamble on the go. It offers most of the same games as the desktop site, with added benefits like streamlined TouchID or FaceID login, mobile-exclusive Apple Pay and GPay deposits, push notifications for new games and promotions, and the occasional mobile-only bonus.

Of course, you can also use the HTML5-optimized PokerStars website on a mobile browser. PokerStars was originally designed for desktop use, so you can tell it is a separate, distinct product (instead of a mobile site adapted for desktop use). This creates a highly responsive experience for desktop users, but it means the site doesn’t translate too well onto a mobile browser. As such, mobile bettors in MI, PA, and NJ should use the PokerStars app instead of the mobile-optimized website. 

PokerStars Casino Desktop Experience

Playing at PokerStars Casino as a desktop user is an enjoyable experience. The homepage shows you all of the many casino bonuses you can cash in on and gives you a glimpse into the vast games library with categories like “PokerStars Picks”, “Game of the Week”, “PokerStars Exclusives”, “New”, and “Bonus Buy”. A handy search bar lets you search for specific titles, though I was disappointed to learn you can’t filter by software provider. 

PokerStars Casino Welcome Bonuses

PokerStars currently has three distinct welcome packages. Each one is designed with a certain player in mind, including a casino-only bonus, a poker-only bonus, and a casino + poker bonus. Since I’m reviewing PokerStars’ casino, not its poker platform, I’ll show you the two casino-focused bonuses. 

The first is a $150 bonus play package. Available in MI, PA, and NJ, it is perfect for those who plan on using both the casino and poker sites. After creating and funding a new account and wagering $1, you’ll receive the following daily prizes:

• Day 0: 2 x $5 Spin & Go (SAG) tickets + 50 x $1 SAG tickets
• Day 1: 50 bonus spins
• Day 2: 2 x $5 SAG tickets + 1 x $10 ticket
• Day 3: $10 casino instant bonus
• Day 4: 2 x $10 tickets
• Day 5: $30 casino instant bonus.

Alternatively, you can opt for $100 worth of casino bonus play. This offer is only available to bettors in Michigan and Pennsylvania. After wagering just $1, you’ll receive $10 in casino credits and 50 free spins daily for five days. 

The T&Cs are where things get a little confusing. Instead of completing wagering requirements (such as 30x), you must earn ‘redemption points’ to turn your bonus funds into withdrawable cash. Slots and table games (excluding live dealer titles) both contribute towards the redemption goal. The higher a slot’s RTP, the more you’ll need to wager to earn a redemption point. Meanwhile, table games are based on the type of game you choose. For example:

As you can see, the less volatile the slot or table game, the more you’ll need to wager. Still, I like that you get to decide where and how you play. For just a $1 deposit, both bonuses are pretty generous and give you plenty of choice and game variety. However, the redemption points system means you’ll probably end up spending more than you win. If you treat the bonus as a way to explore the site and try out some new games rather than a way to earn some quick cash, you can’t go far wrong.

PokerStars Casino Mobile Registration Process

The PokerStars mobile registration process is almost identical to registering on a desktop. There are a few extra steps needed to claim the welcome bonus that aren’t typically required during registration, such as verifying your account before depositing. I’ll guide you through the process, so just follow the steps below, and you’ll be ready to claim your PokerStars Casino bonus and start playing for real money today. 

1. Download the PokerStars Casino mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store. 
2. Hit the green “Join” button.  
3. Create a username and password, and enter your email address. Then, fill in your personal details, including your name, street address, cell number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your SSN.
4. Fund your account with your desired deposit amount (minimum deposit is $10). 
5. Verify your account by submitting proof of your ID, address, and payment method. 
6. Open the “Challenges” section of your account and opt into your preferred bonus. 
7. Wager $1 in the casino (or on a cash game if you’ve chosen the $150 bonus). The first installment of the bonus will be credited automatically to your account. 

PokerStars Casino Account Verification

As I mentioned above, you’ll need to verify your account before claiming one of the PokerStars bonuses and eventually withdrawing your winnings. Though this isn’t standard procedure, all players must verify their account before cashing out, whether they want to claim a bonus or not. Account verification is a necessary part of a casino’s KYC procedure and helps prevent money laundering, fraud, irresponsible gambling, and underage access.

To complete this process, you’ll need to provide proof of your ID, address, and payment method. This can include a copy of your passport or driver’s license, a bank statement or photo of your credit card, and a recent utility bill. Send a scanned copy of these documents to the PokerStars customer support team or upload them to your account via the dedicated KYC portal. 

PokerStars Casino Payment Methods

PokerStars gives you a great selection of deposit methods for deposits and withdrawals that cover all the necessary bases. You’ve got credit cards (Visa and Mastercard), e-wallets (PayPal and Skrill), online bank transfer, instant eCheck, and prepaid cards (Paysafecard and PayNearMe). 

The only notable exclusions are additional credit cards like American Express, e-wallets such as Venmo, and a PokerStars branded Play+ card. Of course, mobile bettors can also use Apple Pay and GPay to make deposits on the PokerStars app.  

Excluding eChecks, all deposits are credited instantly to your account. When it comes to cashing out, you can use all the same deposit methods except bank transfer, Mastercard, and prepaid cards, which is pretty standard across most US online casinos. 

PokerStars Casino typically processes all withdrawal requests within 72 hours. Though some other US casino sites can process requests faster than this, 72 hours is a pretty standard turnaround time. If you’ve already verified your account to claim a bonus, this will speed the process up a little. 

PokerStars Casino Games

PokerStars has an impressive library of slots and table games, boasting just under 1,000 games from top developers like Play’n GO, NetEnt, and Playtech. You’ll also find a broad selection of slots from smaller developers such as NextGen, Light & Wonder, and Cayetano Gaming, plus a well-stocked live dealer casino from Evolution Gaming and Playtech.

PokerStars also prides itself on its many exclusive games, which include over 70 slots (under the “PokerStars Exclusives” tab) and half a dozen live dealer tables. If you’re looking for even more excitement, why not join in one of the daily, weekly, or monthly slot races?

Online Slots at PokerStars Casino 

The slots library covers every theme and feature you could hope for, including Vegas-style classics, video slots, Megaways, jackpots, Hold & Win, cluster pays, gamble features, Slingo, and more. You can find details on each game’s bonus features by pressing the “Information” button in the top left corner. 

PokerStars Casino offers many of the popular progressives you expect to find at US online casinos. Bettors in all three states can wager on NetEnt’s famous jackpots, Divine Fortune and Mercy of the Gods. Plus, MI players can access CORE Gaming’s PokerStars-exclusive progressives, including Oil Tycoon, Red Hot Chilli Steppa, and Chameleonaire. At the time of writing, New Jersey’s Divine Fortune jackpot stands at over $150,000, while players in Pennsylvania can win over $150,000 on Mercy of the Gods.

Table Games at PokerStars Casino 

Over a dozen video table games are available at PokerStars Casino. There are multiple variants of roulette, blackjack, and poker, plus a couple of baccarat games and plenty of video poker options. Popular table games include Perfect Pairs Blackjack, Deuces Wild, Stars Baccarat, and Lightning Box Keno.

High rollers can take advantage of wide bet limits, with both video and live dealer blackjack reaching a $10,000 maximum bet. You can also choose between single-player and multiplayer modes on certain games like European Roulette and Atlantic City Premium Blackjack. 

Live Dealer Games at PokerStars Casino 

PokerStars has almost 30 live dealer games from leading software developers Evolution Gaming and Playtech. No matter which state you’re playing in, you’ll find multiple variants of blackjack, roulette, craps, and poker, plus a range of live game shows, such as Mega Ball, Crazy Time, and Monopoly Big Baller.

Popular live table games include Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Free Bet Blackjack, Lightning Roulette, and Video Poker Live. There are exclusive branded games like PokerStars Craps and PokerStars Roulette, plus state-specific games like Detroit Red Wings Blackjack and Michigan Mega Fire Blaze Roulette Live. 

PokerStars Casino Customer Support

You can contact PokerStars Casino’s live customer support 24/7 via the “Contact Us” button at the bottom of the Help page. You’ll first need to report your problem to a bot, which will connect you to a live agent in the relevant department. I was connected to an agent after less than a minute of waiting, and the response was efficient, friendly, and informative. 

Of course, the fastest way to find the answer you need is to look in the FAQs. The Help Center covers all the most popular questions about payments, offers, game rules, technical support, responsible gambling, loyalty rewards, events, and more. 

There’s currently no dedicated PokerStars customer support email address. However, if your query cannot be answered by a live agent, you can fill in a contact form and expect a response within a few days. Alternatively, you can send a DM to the customer support X (Twitter) account (@StarsSupport). PokerStars does not have a support phone number. 

PokerStars Casino Responsible Gambling

PokerStars’ Responsible Gambling page is one of the most in-depth of any US casino I’ve reviewed. The page features website links and phone numbers to numerous support organizations in each state. You’ll also find detailed sections on setting account limits, identifying/reducing risks of problem gambling, self-excluding, age verification, and debunking common myths about compulsive gambling.

There’s also a section on Responsible Gambling in the Help Center. Here, you’ll find information on implementing casino restrictions (such as bet, loss, wager, and time limits), blocking games, guidelines for responsible gambling, and how to self-exclude. 

PokerStars Casino State Directory

PokerStars first went live in the US in 2001. Though online poker was made illegal in 2006, PokerStars managed to avoid being shut down until 2011. When the operator finally got the go-ahead to reopen in New Jersey – then a few years later in Michigan and Pennsylvania – the casino came with it. The PokerStars Sportsbook isn’t live in any US state (yet).

Michigan

PokerStars launched both its poker and casino platforms (the latter was originally a separate site named Stars Casino) in January 2021, a week after online gambling was legalized in the Great Lakes State. It launched through a partnership with Odawa, a tribal casino. Alongside regular slots and table games, Michigan bettors can enjoy a range of exclusive MI-themed games and bonuses. 

New Jersey

A partnership with Resorts Casino Hotel brought PokerStars (back) to New Jersey in March 2016. Though most casinos launched in 2013, PokerStars was still dealing with the legal fallout of staying in operation until 2011. Despite a late start, PokerStars quickly became one of the Garden State’s most popular places to play. PokerStars NJ has just shy of 30 live dealer table games, the broadest selection of the three US jurisdictions.

Pennsylvania

PokerStars went live in the Keystone State in 2019, making it the first online poker brand in Pennsylvania. On PokerStars PA’s first day of trading, it recorded over 4x the number of registered players than its New Jersey counterpart. Thanks to its partnership with the luxury Mount Airy Casino, PokerStars gives PA bettors access to its slots, table games, live dealer titles, and poker platform.