PokerStars is the world's largest online poker room and, since 2020, part of NYSE/LSE-listed Flutter Entertainment — so on trust and regulation (UKGC, Malta and a long list of European national licences) it's about as safe as the industry gets. Its casino is big and its apps are polished. The honest caveat for a betting site: the sportsbook is a secondary product rather than a specialist book, so if pure sports betting is your priority, the dedicated sportsbooks go deeper. But if you want poker and casino with a heavyweight licence — and a decent sportsbook alongside — PokerStars is a strong, trustworthy pick where it holds a local licence.
Bonus offers change and vary by country — always confirm the current amount, code and wagering on PokerStars's own site. 18+, new customers only.
PokerStars quick facts
| Founded | 2001 (Scheinberg family) |
| Owner | Flutter Entertainment (NYSE/LSE: FLUT), since 2020 |
| Licensing | UK Gambling Commission, Malta, plus national EU licences (Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and more) |
| Poker | World's largest online poker room — cash games, tournaments, apps + desktop clients |
| Casino | 400+ games — slots, table games, live casino (Pragmatic, Play'n GO, Evolution) |
| Sports | PokerStars Sports in some markets (secondary to poker/casino) |
| Payments | Cards, e-wallets (PayPal/Skrill/Neteller); e-wallets ~24h. No crypto |
| Apps | iOS & Android (poker, casino, sports) + desktop poker clients |
How we rated PokerStars
Overall 8.3/10 — a weighted editorial score across six criteria. How we rate →
Pros
- World's largest online poker room, with unmatched traffic and tournaments
- Part of NYSE/LSE-listed Flutter Entertainment — very strong regulation and oversight
- Licensed by the UKGC, Malta and many European national regulators
- Big casino (400+ games) with live dealer, plus polished apps
- Fast e-wallet withdrawals (often ~24 hours)
Cons
- The sportsbook is a secondary product — not as deep as specialist books
- Welcome offer is market- and product-specific and varies
- No cryptocurrency payments
- Only available where it holds a local licence
Who is PokerStars?
PokerStars was founded in 2001 by Isai and Mark Scheinberg and grew into the world's largest online poker room, controlling a majority of the global online-poker market. Since 2020 it has been part of Flutter Entertainment, the NYSE/LSE-listed group that also owns Betfair, Paddy Power and FanDuel. Alongside poker it runs a casino and, in some markets, a sportsbook, operating country by country under local licences — the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and more.
PokerStars sportsbook
PokerStars Sports is available in some licensed markets with solid coverage of the major sports, a bet builder and cash out. It's a competent secondary product rather than a specialist book — fine for casual sports betting alongside poker and casino, but not as deep as the dedicated sportsbooks.
Live betting
In-play betting with cash-out in the markets where PokerStars Sports operates; live coverage focuses on the major sports.
Sports welcome bonus
New-customer offer (varies by market & product)
New customers get a welcome offer in each licensed market — for poker, casino or sports depending on where you are. The exact amount, minimum odds and wagering vary by country and change over time. Check your local PokerStars site for the current offer.
Key terms: Qualifying and wagering terms apply and vary by market and product — read them before you claim.
PokerStars casino
PokerStars Casino offers 400+ games — slots, table games and a live-casino section from studios like Pragmatic Play, Play'n GO and Evolution. Availability and titles vary by licensed market.
Casino welcome bonus
New-customer casino offer (varies by market)
Where PokerStars Casino is licensed, new casino customers get a first-deposit offer, sometimes with free spins. The cap, spin count and wagering vary by market. Check your local PokerStars site for the current terms.
Key terms: Wagering and eligibility terms vary by market — confirm the current figures before claiming.
PokerStars payment methods
PokerStars uses regulated local payment methods rather than crypto — cards plus e-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller), with e-wallet withdrawals often processed within about 24 hours.
FIAT
Min deposit Varies by market. No PokerStars fees.
Crypto (Not offered)
—. PokerStars does not offer cryptocurrency payments; it uses regulated local methods.
Withdrawal speed: E-wallets fastest (often ~24 hours); cards and bank transfer slower, subject to verification. Varies by market.
Apps & customer support
Mature, well-rated iOS and Android apps for poker, casino and sports, plus downloadable desktop poker clients for Windows and macOS.
- 24/7 live chat
PokerStars FAQ
Is PokerStars safe and legit?
Yes — PokerStars is part of NYSE/LSE-listed Flutter Entertainment and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, Malta and many European national regulators. It is one of the most heavily regulated brands in online gambling. Only play where PokerStars holds a local licence for your country.
Does PokerStars have a sportsbook?
Yes, in some markets — PokerStars Sports offers the major sports with a bet builder and cash out. But it is a secondary product to PokerStars' poker and casino, so dedicated sportsbooks generally go deeper on markets and odds.
What is the PokerStars welcome bonus?
PokerStars offers a new-customer welcome offer in each licensed market — for poker, casino or sports depending on where you are. The exact amount and terms vary by country and change over time, so always check the current offer on your local PokerStars site before claiming.
Does PokerStars accept crypto?
No. PokerStars uses regulated local payment methods — cards and e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill and Neteller — rather than cryptocurrency.
Compare PokerStars with other betting sites
Our other top-scored reviews — every operator scored out of 10 on the same six criteria. See the full comparison →
How we researched this: compiled from public sources (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PokerStars, https://igamingexpress.com/who-owns-pokerstars-the-history-of-flutters-poker-giant/, https://www.flutter.com/, https://www.sharkbetting.com/bookmaker/pokerstars) and the operator's own site, then scored against our public rating method. PokerStars is part of NYSE/LSE-listed Flutter Entertainment (FLUT) and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, Malta and multiple European national regulators (Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and more). Its welcome bonus is market-specific and changes, so it is shown qualitatively. Confirm the current offer and your local licence on your own PokerStars site. Outbound link is plain (no affiliate tag).