PokerStars Poker Review 2024

When discussing casino gaming, we usually divide our focus between slots, table games, and live dealer games. But some gaming sites deviate for this and go ham at a particular niche. One such website is PokerStars.

UK casino lovers can trust in PokerStars for a first-rate gaming experience. The site launched in 2015, and with a UKGC licence, it has the legal backing to operate across the country. PokerStars is also regulated by the MGA and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which is a mark of how safe and reliable this platform is. 

When you visit the site, you’re immediately greeted by a clean, streamlined design. Whether you want to play poker, classic casino games, or even bet on sports, accessing the right section happens is simply a matter of clicking the tab. 

So at first glance, PokerStars scores highly. But does the website keep up its quality as you move beyond the lobby? Let’s discuss exactly that in this PokerStars review. 

As you’d expect, PokerStars offers exclusive bonuses for UK poker players. But switch to the wider casino section and you get even more promos to enjoy. As a new player, you get a 100% match bonus for poker and casino gameplay. But for the most part, the poker welcome offer has a higher bonus than the casino.

Regardless of which promos you select, you get access to engaging games with stunning graphic displays. But as always, there are some terms and conditions to get familiar with: 

• The minimum deposit for the poker welcome bonus is £10, while the casino bonus is £20.
• You must enter the correct promo codes to claim any of the offers.
• The poker welcome offer covers new players’ first three deposits.
• Only credit card payments like Visa or MasterCard will unlock the promos. 
• The wagering requirement is to earn five redemption points per £1 of the bonus.
• The maximum bet when playing with the casino bonus is £5. 
• You have seven days to meet the wagering requirements, or you forfeit the bonus and winnings. 

One glaring downside there are the wagering requirements. It isn’t totally clear what players must do to withdraw winnings with the bonus money, and the site’s points system is very different to how other UK casino sites handle this. If in doubt, contact customer support. They’re usually quick to respond. 

There are plenty of thrilling live casino titles at PokerStars, but there’s no exclusive live casino bonus to be found right now. 

Although PokerStars is a sportsbook, we couldn't find an exclusive sports bonus. The only option is the bet builder which, although a useful feature, isn’t technically a promo.

Sadly, bingo isn’t available at PokerStars Casino. So you won’t get a bonus for the game. 

We couldn’t find a conventional VIP programme in the poker or casino areas. Instead, what you’ll find available are PokerStars Rewards. It’s still a great option nonetheless, and you’ll get plenty of exclusive gifts from the site if you stick around. 

You’ll need to opt into PokerStars Rewards to access the programme’s benefits. It has six levels, depending on how many rewards points you have. As you’d expect, players at higher levels get the best perks. 

The great news in that you accumulate rewards points just by playing poker and casino games, as well as when you bet on sports. If you prefer, you can use your points in the Rewards Store to purchase valuable items, though your level might drop as you spend. 

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It’s only right you want to know a casino is safe before you sign up and play. From our experience, PokerStars ticks all the boxes of a safe and legit casino. TSG Interactive Gaming Europe Limited (Flutter in the UK) is the operator behind the website, and the company holds multiple gambling licences, including those of the:

• Malta Gaming Authority
• Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
• UK Gambling Commission
• Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
• Romanian National Gambling Office

From this lineup, there’s no question about the casino’s legitimacy or safety. PokerStars operates in line with all regulatory laws, meaning it’s under obligation to safeguard players’ data. To further assess the platform’s safety, we checked that the website uses a valid certificate, ensuring players' data stays encrypted. It does. 

PokerStars requires players to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process when they join the site. Fortunately, it’s a simple process, as you only need two main documents — proof of identity and proof of address. Simply send the documents to verification@pokerstars.com, and the casino will notify you once the verification is complete.

Besides the licences which guarantee fair gaming, PokerStars has other affiliations to prove its games are truly random and free from interference. On the website, you’ll find Gaming Labs Certified and International Betting Integrity Association badges. Such badges won’t be featured if the casino isn’t fair. Additionally, PokerStars software providers all use RNG or Random Number Generator technology, ensuring that every game outcome is truly random. 

PokerStars Casino is dedicated to safeguarding user data, and it’s an obligation from the platform’s regulators. The online casino strictly follows GDPR when dealing with players’ information. You’ll even find a dedicated GDPR page on the website, explaining what your rights are. 

The games in the PokerStars lobby are verified by Gaming Labs and the International Betting Integrity Association. These bodies have badges on the site, showing that they approve of PokerStars’ games.

PokerStars partners with GamblersAnonymous, GamCare, and Gambling Therapy to help players manage any potantial problems. On your part, you can set account limits or reach out to the customer team for self-exclusion. To authenticate PokerStars Casino’s commitment to ensuring responsible gaming, there’s an RG Check badge on the site.

If you need support as a PokerStars player in the UK, you have a few options: 

• Live chat
• Support ticket
• Email: security@starsaccount.com 
• FAQ area

There’s no phone support for UK players at the moment. However, the live chat is available 24/7, so you can get assistance anytime. Ensure you log in when using this option, as you’ll receive personalised help. 

When it comes to games, don’t get too hung up on the name. Sure, this is one of the best poker sites around, but you can still expect a diverse variety of titles from PokerStars.

Let’s discuss what’s available in a little more detail. 

You automatically land on the poker section when you load the PokerStars website. The range of titles is as spectacular as you’d expect. Some of our favourites here were:

• Regular poker
• Tournaments
• Live poker events
• Texas Hold’em
• Omaha poker
• Home games.

Switching to the casino section at PokerStars, you get 20+ table games to play. This count may not be the highest, but you’ll still find the variety commendable if you’re a traditional casino lover, as the lobby houses mostly classic titles. Some top options available include:

• Classic Blackjack
• American Roulette
• Tens or Better
• Premium Blackjack
• High Roller Roulette.

By number, slots secure the top spot at PokerStars Casino's game lobby with 2,000+ titles. The section delivers on quality, too, as you get only the best games from renowned providers. Interestingly, there are exclusive game variants like jackpots and megaways, giving you a chance to win big.

When we browsed online slots for real money, we really took to these titles:

• Book of Dead
• Big Bass Splash
• Eye of Horus
• The Hand of Midas
• Gold Rush.

Live dealer is another area where PokerStars Casino excels. For UK players who prefer a more authentic gaming experience, you’ll be pleased to find over 100 live casino titles on the website. The game providers here are big names like Evolution and Pragmatic Play.

Looking for the very best among those 100+ titles? Try these: 

• Lighting Roulette
• Crazy Time
• Monopoly Big Baller
• Auto Roulette
• Free Bet Blackjack
• Funky Time
• Sic Bo Deluxe
• Teen Patti.

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PokerStars Casino's main strength lies in its security. The website is safe, legitimate, and fair, something that’s clear from the many licences it holds. Also, the Gambling Labs and the International Betting Integrity Association seals are a big plus, letting you know that game outcomes are genuinely random. 

Whether you want to play poker, slots, table games, or live casino games, PokerStars has it all. The titles come from top providers like Pragmatic Play, Evolution, NetEnt, QuickSpin, Playtech, Red Tiger Gaming, and iSoftBet. There's also an app for iOS and Android smartphone users – something we always love to see. 

When it comes to payments, PokerStars supports a variety of options. You get bank cards and eWallets like PayPal, Skrill, ApplePay, and Neosurf, and this is also one of a growning number of Neteller casinos. With these, you can get instant deposits and withdrawals in the UK.

The bonus category is where PokerStars comes up a touch short. Not many promotions are available, and the rollover condition is complicated as it’s linked to the reward points. But the support team are quick to reply if you have any questions about the points system. 

So, to draw the curtain, PokerStars stands as a top casino for online gaming fans within the UK. An extensive lobby, its collection of renowned game providers, multiple operating licences, and quick payments all gives it an edge over many competitors.