PokerStars on FanDuel

Quick Facts

Full name	PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel
Launched	April 1, 2026 (US). Ontario followed in June 2026
Owner	Flutter Entertainment (parent of both PokerStars and FanDuel)
US states	Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (one shared player pool)
Canada	Ontario (separate player pool). Alberta return announced Oct 2026
Minimum age	21+ (US)
Games	No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, mixed games
Formats	Cash games, MTTs, Sit & Gos, Spin & Gos, satellites
Welcome bonus	100% deposit match up to $1,000 + bonus tickets
Rewards	Dynasty Builder (missions, chests, weekly rake milestones)
Platforms	Windows/Mac desktop, iOS, Android
Wallet	One FanDuel wallet for poker, casino and sportsbook

1. What Is PokerStars on FanDuel?

PokerStars on FanDuel is the new home of PokerStars in the regulated US market. On April 1, 2026, the separate PokerStars sites in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania closed. A single platform replaced them, running inside the FanDuel ecosystem. PokerStars and FanDuel are both owned by Flutter Entertainment, so this is a consolidation within one company, not a partnership between rivals.

For players, the biggest change was shared liquidity. Michigan and New Jersey had already pooled players since 2023. Pennsylvania joined them at the relaunch, so all three states now play at the same tables and in the same tournaments.

The early numbers suggest it’s working:

• August 2026: PokerStars on FanDuel earned an estimated $2.6 million in revenue across the three states, up about 14% year-on-year. Over the same period, the wider regulated US online poker market was down about 2%.
• April to August 2026: about $12.9 million, versus $11.8 million in the same months of 2025.
• New Jersey: up roughly 30% year-on-year, making PokerStars the largest single poker site in the state.

(Revenue estimates as reported by PokerNews, October 2026.)

2. PokerStars on FanDuel Software Review

We’ve covered the client’s look and lobby in detail elsewhere, so this section focuses on what the software actually gives you at the table.

• Built-in HUD: The client shows selected opponent stats directly on the tables, with no separate tracking software. That’s unusual for a regulated US room, and it levels the playing field between casual players and regulars who used to pay for third-party tools.
• Third-party tools: PokerStars staff have said tracking software is expected to stay permitted. Real-time assistance (RTA) and solvers used during play are not. Read our guide to RTA rules and banned helper tools before running anything alongside the client.
• Desktop vs mobile: Desktop is the grinder’s choice, with stronger filters and better multi-tabling. Mobile covers cash games, tournaments and Sit & Gos, and also supports multi-tabling, but it’s built for convenience rather than volume.
• Account structure: You play through a FanDuel account with a separate poker alias. Old PokerStars US accounts did not transfer, so returning players need to sign up again through FanDuel.

3. PokerStars on FanDuel App Download and Installation

iPhone and iPad (iOS)

1. Open the App Store while you’re physically in Michigan, New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
2. Search for “PokerStars FanDuel” and check that the publisher is FanDuel/PokerStars before installing.
3. Open the app and log in with your FanDuel username and password, or create a new account.
4. Allow location services. The app needs geolocation to confirm you’re inside a legal state.

Android

1. Open Google Play in a supported state and search for “PokerStars FanDuel”.
2. Install, open and log in with your FanDuel details.
3. If prompted, allow location access. Some devices also ask you to install a geolocation helper.

Desktop (Windows and Mac)

Download the desktop client from the official FanDuel or PokerStars-on-FanDuel website. Don’t use third-party download sites. Install, log in with your FanDuel account and pass the geolocation check.

PokerStars FanDuel login checklist

• Age: You must be 21 or older.
• Location: You must be physically inside MI, NJ or PA to play for real money. Residency isn’t required, so visitors can play too.
• Verification: Expect identity checks (KYC) during signup or before your first withdrawal.
• No VPNs: VPNs interfere with geolocation and break the terms of service.
• Self-exclusion: Self-excluded FanDuel customers can’t access the poker platform.

4. Poker Games Available

PokerStars on FanDuel focuses on the games that actually get played:

Game	Cash games	Tournaments	Notes
No-Limit Texas Hold’em	✅	✅	The core of the platform, running 24/7
Pot-Limit Omaha	✅	✅	Second-busiest game. PLO bounties and a Sunday PLO event
Mixed games	✅	Selected events	Smaller traffic, so check the lobby at peak hours
Spin & Go (NLHE)	—	✅	Three-player, random prize pools

Fast-fold cash games (PokerStars’ old “Zoom” format) were widely expected with the relaunch. Check the current lobby for availability before you plan around them.

5. Cash Games

• Stakes: Tables start at 0.01/0.02 micro stakes and go up to higher-stakes games. These depend heavily on time of day.
• Formats: Full-ring and short-handed tables for NLHE and PLO, plus mixed-game tables when there’s enough interest.
• When to play: US evening hours (Eastern Time) are by far the busiest. Pennsylvania joining the pool has made late-night micro and low-stakes games noticeably easier to find than in the old two-state setup.
• What to expect: Low and mid stakes run reliably. High-stakes games come and go with the regulars. If you’re stepping up, set limits with our poker bankroll calculator first.

6. PokerStars on FanDuel Tournaments

Tournaments are where the relaunch has really delivered, and where FanDuel has spent heavily to attract players.

Sunday Million

The famous brand returned in April 2026 with two $500,000-guaranteed launch events: one at $109 and one at $1,100.

Big series so far

Series	Dates	Events	Guarantees	Overlay paid by FanDuel
Ignite Series	Apr 18 – May 4, 2026	90	$5 million	$1,063,762
September Dynasty Series	Sep 12 – 28, 2026	100	$3.49 million	$686,740

The September Dynasty Series had 31,665 entries and paid out $3.51 million, but 86 of its 100 events didn’t reach their guarantee. Across these two series, FanDuel has covered more than $1.75 million in overlays.

Overlays happen when entries don’t cover a guarantee, and the extra prize money is pure value for the players who enter. For tournament players, that’s one of the strongest reasons to be on this site right now.

Weekend schedule (late October 2026)

Day	Start (ET)	Tournament	Buy-in	Guarantee
Sat	6:15 pm	Big Starter	$25	$5,000
Sat	6:40 pm	Nightly Stars	$100	$20,000
Sat	7:30 pm	Daily Duel	$5	$1,250
Sun	2:00 pm	Marathon	$75	$8,000
Sun	3:30 pm	Sunday Mystery	$50	$7,000
Sun	3:30 pm	Sunday PLO	$100	$3,500
Sun	6:00 pm	Sunday Dynasty	$100	$60,000
Sun	6:30 pm	Sunday Shield	$30	$20,000
Sun	6:30 pm	Sunday Storm	$500	$35,000
Sun	9:30 pm	Sunday Cooldown	$150	$8,000

On weeknights, Nightly Stars carries $25,000 guarantees on Tuesdays and Thursdays and $22,500 on other nights. Its starting stack was doubled to 10,000 chips in July. There’s also a $5 Mini Nightly Stars for micro-stakes players.

Sit & Gos and Spin & Gos

Standard Sit & Gos run at a range of buy-ins. Spin & Gos are three-player hyper-turbos where the prize pool is drawn at random before the game starts. The $5 “Spin & Field Goal” variant has a shot at a $1 million jackpot.

Tournament tip: deep in a big field, ICM matters more than chip EV. Practise those spots with our ICM calculator.

7. PokerStars FanDuel Bonus and Promotions

Welcome bonus: 100% up to $1,000

Term	Detail
Match	100% of your first poker deposit, up to $1,000
Minimum deposit	$10
Opt-in	Required (through the Rewards Hub)
Release rate	$5 released for every $25 in rake or tournament fees (20%)
Time limit	120 days
Extras	Bonus tickets. Recent reports describe these as Spin & Go tickets, which expire after 7 days
Eligibility	New poker depositors, including existing FanDuel sportsbook and casino customers

What this means in practice: releasing the full $1,000 requires about $5,000 in rake and fees within 120 days. That’s realistic for a regular player. A casual player should deposit only what they’d actually play through. A $100 deposit needs about $500 in rake to release fully, which is much easier to reach.

Dynasty Builder rewards

FanDuel’s loyalty programme replaces the old PokerStars US rewards and works through missions:

• Thrill Missions: short, recurring challenges (for example, play a set number of Spin & Gos) that award tournament tickets, chests and fun extras such as throwables. They’re designed for lower-volume players.
• Grind Missions: weekly milestones based on how much rake you pay. They start at $5 back for $50 in rake and build to a combined $1,000 for $4,000 in rake, which works out to roughly 25% back at the top level.
• FanDuel Dynasty tier: your poker play also counts toward your overall FanDuel Dynasty status, which unlocks perks in the sportsbook and casino.

Ongoing promotions

Expect weekly leaderboards (around $2,500 in tickets per week at the time of writing), series freerolls (the “No Sweat” events) and boosted guarantees. See our poker bonuses hub for the latest offers.

8. Deposit and Withdrawal Methods

Everything goes through your FanDuel wallet. Methods vary by state and account, but typically include:

Method	Deposit	Withdraw	Notes
Debit/credit card	✅	Varies	Some banks block gambling card payments
PayPal	✅	✅	Usually one of the faster withdrawal options
Venmo	✅	✅ (where offered)	Popular on mobile
Online banking / ACH	✅	✅	Reliable for larger amounts. Allow a few business days
Bank transfer	✅	✅	Slower, but suits larger sums
Cash at partner casinos	✅	✅ (where offered)	Depends on the state and partner property

Limits and processing times:

• The minimum deposit for the welcome bonus is $10.
• Withdrawal times depend on the method and on whether your account is verified.
• In general, e-wallets are fastest and bank transfers slowest.
• Your first withdrawal may be held for identity verification. Upload your documents early.

Check the cashier for the exact limits that apply in your state.

9. One-Wallet Integration: Poker, Casino and Sportsbook

This is the clearest difference from the old PokerStars US. One FanDuel balance works across poker, FanDuel Casino and FanDuel Sportsbook.

Upsides:

• Move money between products instantly, with no transfers between separate accounts.
• One login, one verification and one cashier.
• Poker activity counts toward your FanDuel Dynasty status, and the perks follow you across products.

Things to watch:

• It’s easy for poker bankroll to drift into sports bets or slots. Many disciplined players keep a separate mental (or spreadsheet) poker bankroll, even though the money sits in one wallet.
• Use FanDuel’s responsible gambling tools to set separate limits on deposits, losses and time.

10. Mobile App Experience

We covered the app’s design separately. Here’s how it performs in day-to-day play:

• Speed: Tables load quickly once you’re geolocated. The geolocation check is the most common delay, especially on first launch or after you change networks.
• Stability: Use a solid Wi-Fi connection for deep tournament runs. Switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data can trigger a new location check mid-session.
• Navigation: It’s easy to move between the lobby, your tables and the Rewards Hub. Use the tournament filters to find a game quickly.
• Multi-tabling: Possible on mobile, but realistically two tables is the comfortable maximum on a phone.
• Best use: Spin & Gos, single-table cash sessions and following your tournament runs while you’re out. Grind volume on desktop.

11. Security and Licensing

PokerStars on FanDuel operates only in regulated markets, under state gaming regulators:

Jurisdiction	Regulator
New Jersey	Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE)
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)
Michigan	Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB)
Ontario	Regulated through Ontario’s iGaming framework (AGCO / iGaming Ontario)

What protects players:

• Segregated funds: Customer balances are ring-fenced from company operating money.
• Geolocation and KYC: These ensure every player is a verified adult inside a legal jurisdiction.
• Game integrity: Banned tools and collusion are enforced under PokerStars’ long-standing security operation, now within Flutter.
• Responsible gambling tools: Deposit, loss and time limits, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion. Help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER and through the National Council on Problem Gambling. See our responsible gambling page.

This is a different level of protection from unregulated club apps and offshore sites, where your money depends on the operator’s goodwill rather than a state regulator.

Customer support

Support runs through the FanDuel Help Centre, which you can reach from the app and the website and which has searchable guides. Account-specific problems (verification, withdrawals, bonuses) go through FanDuel’s in-app support contact options. For a tournament problem, note the tournament ID and time before you contact them. It speeds things up a lot.

12. Available States: Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (and Canada)

Market	Status	Player pool
PokerStars FanDuel Michigan	✅ Live since Apr 1, 2026	Shared MI–NJ–PA
PokerStars FanDuel New Jersey	✅ Live since Apr 1, 2026	Shared MI–NJ–PA
PokerStars FanDuel Pennsylvania	✅ Live since Apr 1, 2026	Shared MI–NJ–PA (new in 2026)
Ontario, Canada	✅ Live since June 2026, after several delays	Ontario only
Alberta, Canada	⏳ Return announced Oct 23, 2026. No date yet	Expected Alberta only
Nevada, Delaware, West Virginia, other US states	❌ Not available	—

Ontario players can’t sit with US players because of current legal limits. Alberta players will need new FanDuel accounts, since old PokerStars accounts won’t migrate.

13. Pros and Cons

Pros

• ✅ Three-state shared player pool, the biggest PokerStars US pool ever
• ✅ Strong guarantees, with FanDuel covering $1.75M+ in overlays
• ✅ Built-in HUD for every player
• ✅ Generous rakeback for regulars through Dynasty Builder (~25% at the top level)
• ✅ One wallet across poker, casino and sports
• ✅ Fully regulated, with segregated player funds
• ✅ Sunday Million and the familiar PokerStars tournament structure

Cons

• ❌ Only available in MI, NJ and PA (plus separate Canadian markets)
• ❌ Old PokerStars US accounts and history didn’t carry over
• ❌ Full welcome bonus needs ~$5,000 in rake within 120 days
• ❌ High-stakes and mixed-game traffic is thin outside peak hours
• ❌ The shared wallet makes it easy to blur your poker bankroll
• ❌ Pennsylvania revenue has dipped year-on-year despite the merger

14. PokerStars on FanDuel vs Other Poker Apps

PokerStars vs FanDuel: what’s the difference now?

In the US, they’re one product:

• PokerStars provides the poker software, tournament brands (Sunday Million, Nightly Stars, Spin & Go) and game security.
• FanDuel provides the account, wallet, payments, rewards and customer support.

You can’t open a separate “PokerStars US” account any more. The two used to be separate businesses, but they’re now one sign-up, one balance and one rewards system.

How it compares with other types of poker apps

Feature	PokerStars on FanDuel	Typical regulated US poker app	Offshore poker sites	Private club apps
Legal status in MI/NJ/PA	Fully licensed	Licensed	Unlicensed in the US	Usually unlicensed
Player funds	Segregated, regulator-protected	Regulator-protected	Depend on the operator	Depend on club and agent
Player pool	Shared across 3 states	Often single-state or smaller networks	Large, international	Small, invite-only
Tournament guarantees	Large, with overlays paid	Usually smaller	Large	Rarely guaranteed
Built-in HUD	Yes	Rare	Varies	Rare
Rakeback	Up to ~25% (missions)	Usually lower	Often high	Negotiated with agents
Withdrawal safety	High	High	Variable	Highest risk

In short: some offshore sites have bigger fields, and club apps can offer high rakeback deals. But in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, nothing else combines legal protection, shared liquidity and overlay-heavy guarantees in the same way.

For PokerStars outside the US, see our full PokerStars review.

15. PokerStars on FanDuel Review: Our Verdict

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Category	Score
Tournaments	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rewards and rakeback	⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Welcome bonus	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cash-game traffic	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Software and HUD	⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Banking	⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Availability	⭐⭐⭐

PokerStars on FanDuel is the most important change in regulated US online poker in years, and so far it’s paying off. Combining Pennsylvania with Michigan and New Jersey has created a pool deep enough for real tournament guarantees. FanDuel has also been willing to pay for overlays while the field grows, which turns many events into positive value for the people who enter. Add a built-in HUD and rakeback of up to roughly 25% for grinders, and it’s the strongest all-round poker option in its three states.

It isn’t perfect. The full bonus needs serious volume, old accounts were wiped clean, and you still can’t play outside three states. But if you’re in Michigan, New Jersey or Pennsylvania, this should be your first poker download.

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