Pokerstars Casino Review

PokerStars Casino Overview

When you first visit PokerStars Casino, you’ll be treated to a colourful show of the most popular games played in the UK. The featured image is the game of the week with a video of the real gameplay showcased. Above that, you’ll see a banner about the PokerStars Casino’s deal with the Red Bull F1 team called Casino Races.

From there, you’ll be able to see what games you can play. Everything is laid out in a grid format and the first category is the New Games on the platform. Next up is the selection of Jackpot Games and directly below that are the next Casino Race games. Yet, if you’re after RNG table games rather than online slots, you’ll see all the exclusives and the most popular underneath.

All the important information is located in the footer area of the site. There, you can find things like responsible gambling resources, UK payment options and customer support, to name but a few examples.

PokerStars Casino Welcome Bonus Offer

All brand-new UK players automatically qualify for the welcome package. It consists of a matched bonus of up to £200, and can only be used on selected slots. To claim, deposit a minimum of £20 and input the PokerStars bonus code FIRST200 when registering.

Note that the eligible slots to spend your bonus funds are Big Bass Bonanza, Big Blue Bounty, Book of Dead, Cashzuma, Eye of Horus Megaways, Gates of Olympus, Legacy of Dead and Starburst. Which is a pretty decent selection of online slot games, in our opinion.

Finally, the maximum bet allowed with the bonus funds is £5 per spin and you must spend the bonus credits within 7 days of activating them. Unfortunately, only deposits made with Visa and Mastercard qualify for the promotion, so you can view PokerStars as a UK debit card casino.

How to Sign Up & Claim Your Welcome Bonus

PokerStars Wagering Requirements

The only type of game you can use the bonus funds on is online slots, with only a few selected titles available. These are Big Bass Bonanza, Big Blue Bounty, Book of Dead, Cashzuma, Eye of Horus Megaways, Gates of Olympus, Legacy of Dead and Starburst.

To make a withdrawal, all players must earn 5 redemption points per £1 of the bonus funds wagered. I.e., if you deposited £50, you must earn 250 redemption points. These points are rewarded depending on the RTP on any given game. For instance, in games with 87.2% – 90.85% you earn 1 redemption point for every £3 wagered.

You can always check how many redemption points you have in the “My Rewards” tab within your account settings. When you have met the wagering requirements as stipulated, you can use these funds on other games or make a withdrawal from the cashier.

PokerStars Welcome Bonus Terms

• Up to £200 matched bonus
• Enter the PokerStars bonus code FIRST200
• The minimum deposit is £20
• You must earn redemption points to make a withdrawal
• All bonus credits expire in 7 days after activation
• Only Visa and Mastercard qualify for the promotion

Additional Bonus Offers & Promotions

While writing our PokerStars Casino review, we saw some interesting promotions. Below, we’ve included two of the promotions that caught our eye. Note that the PokerStars promotions you see may have changed depending on what time of year you visit the PokerStars Casino site.

Live Casino Races

To take advantage of the live casino races promotion, you must first opt in via the “Casino Races” lobby or widget. It’s 100% free and, once you’ve registered, just play any of the qualifying live races games to earn points. Points are rewarded at the rate of 10 points for every penny won.

It’s a leaderboard-style promotion, so the more points you win, the more prizes you collect. There are plenty of cash prizes to win every week, and with no fee to join, there is only an upside to playing.

Free Spins

When you register for a PokerStars casino account, there will be ongoing free spins promotions all year round. You’ll be rewarded free spins in certain situations like a reward for a completed challenge or just a promotion offered by the casino when a new game is launched, for example.

Be sure to check your “My Stars” tab in your account settings to see which free spins you are eligible for. In addition, it’s worth noting that the free spins will only be available to use on selected games. The free spins promo is the only PokerStars no deposit bonus we could find.

PokerStars Promotions and Loyalty Rewards

At PokerStars Casino, everyone is treated like a VIP. So, let’s take a look at the VIP loyalty programme…

PokerStars Rewards

UK players all have the opportunity to opt-in for PokerStars Rewards. You can claim up to 25% in rewards and earn up to 100 points for every £1 wagered. All the rewards are tailored to each player, and to earn points you need to complete the progress bars to win chests.

In these chests, you’ll find your reward. It can be cash prizes or free spins – though we’re sure some extra goodies are hiding, too. There are six levels to the chests, and the higher you progress, the better the prizes. The six levels are blue, bronze, silver, gold, diamond and black.

How is the Game Selection at PokerStars Casino?

The gaming selection on the online casino platform is huge! Besides traditional casino games and poker, you can also take advantage of PokerStars sports betting. You can wager against the bookie on everything from football to tennis – or even bet against others on the exchange.

Yet, when it comes to PokerStars Casino UK, you have a full range of top-quality casino games at your disposal. We’re talking about everything from the most popular online slots to live dealer games and, of course, the game that made the site famous: poker.

What Game Developers Does PokerStars Casino have?

Game developers are the backbone of any of our recommended online casinos UK. Therefore, you’ll be glad to hear that PokerStars UK Casino is supplied by some of the biggest names in the industry. For slots, enjoy top-quality Big Time Gaming titles, for table games, you can try Playtech’s casino games and, for live dealer games, Evolution Gaming is the main provider.

In total, PokerStars Casino is supplied by 20+ gaming providers. This is great news, as you’ll always have a new game to play. What’s more, the latest releases are added weekly.

PokerStars Slots Overview

With 1,000+ titles to choose from, PokerStars Casino UK is a slot lover's paradise. You can play the most popular games in the country like Starburst or Nitropolis 3. You’re even able to choose which theme of slots you want to play, ranging from ancients to Wild West and TV/movies.

On the slots homepage, the games are organised in a grid format. From there, you can pick Most Popular, New Slots, Jackpots, Megaways and Exclusives. The icing on the cake is the Exclusives section, as there are over 100 to play, such as Shaman Spins and Irish Gold.

Jackpot Slots Overview

If you’re looking to win big, head over to the PokerStars Casino jackpot slots section. With 200+ jackpot games, you’ll always have the opportunity to win life-changing money. In fact, on many titles at the time of writing, the jackpot was a minimum of seven figures, and you can even play some exclusives too, like Blitz Joker.

You can play Jackpot King’s titles where the grand prize was more than £3 million at the time of writing our review. And who can forget about Megaways? With over 117,000 ways to win, you can get lucky by winning the jackpot of £1 million+ on more than 50 different titles. Some of the most popular Megaways games are Eye of Horus and Deal or No Deal.

Table Games Overview

The table games section at PokerStars Casino is modest, to say the least, with just over 20 games to play. Yet, the good news is that all the most popular games are covered, namely roulette, baccarat and blackjack.

For high rollers, you’ll find convenient tags on the games, which are suitable for players with big budgets. We’re talking about the games called High Roller Blackjack and Premium Roulette. These both allow you to stake a maximum of up to £5,000 per round.

PokerStars Live Casino Overview

Live casino is where it’s at if you prefer playing table games. But now you can even try your luck at game shows and slot games, too. The games are supplied by Evolution and Playtech. And both studios do their utmost best to make the experience as authentic as possible.

In recent times, game shows have become popular in the UK, so you can take advantage of Monopoly Big Baller Live and Candyland Bonanza, for example. All live dealer games are streamed live 24/7 in HD quality where you can interact with the dealer and other players.

Banking & Payment Options at PokerStars Casino

When you make deposits and withdrawals at PokerStars UK, the choice is excellent. In total, there are 14 UK payment methods for deposits and 11 UK options for withdrawals.

The deposits range from mainstream debit cards like Visa/Mastercard to eWallets such as Neteller, Skrill and PayPal. You’re even able to use digital cards like Apple Pay and Google Pay to make deposits and withdrawals, too. If you prefer bank transfer, that option is only for withdrawals. Lastly, you’re able to deposit with Pay N Play options such as Trustly.

The sheer number of options you have at PokerStars Casino is much higher than at other online casinos. Thus, in the banking department, PokerStars online casino scores top marks.

PokerStars Deposits, Withdrawals & Payout Speed

With all the deposit methods, the funds will show in your PokerStars Casino account immediately. What’s more, you will not be charged any fees and you can deposit in pounds sterling. Nevertheless, not all methods are available for deposit and withdrawal. One example of this is bank transfer, where you can only make withdrawals. On all payment methods, the minimum deposit is £10.

When it comes to withdrawals, the banking methods excluded are Trustly, Paysafecard, Neosurf and Maestro. For PokerStars Casino withdrawals, the withdrawal time depends on which method you use. The fastest is eWallets such as MuchBetter, PayPal and Skrill where you’ll get your winnings within 1 hour. Next is debit cards where you’ll have to wait 3 -10 working days for your money. The last option is bank transfer where it will take 3 - 5 days to receive your funds.

KYC Process & Documents

• KYC is performed upon registration at PokerStars
• After entering your info, you’ll need to upload documentation
• This can be either a copy of your passport or driving licence
• It may take up to 24 hours for your account to be approved
• KYC requirements are obligated by UK law

Customer Support at PokerStars Casino

If you’re ever stuck whilst playing at PokerStars Casino, then the first thing you should do is head into the footer area for support. The deposit and withdrawal policy has its own section. But for everything else, simply click on the “Help” link.

There, you’ll find frequently asked questions ranging from queries on promotions to technical issues. However, if you need further support, your next best option is to contact the 24/7 live chat. It’s open to everyone, regardless of whether you are a registered player or not.

We tried the live chat for ourselves while writing this PokerStars Casino review. At first, you’ll be asked if you have an account, but if you do not, you’ll be transferred to a live agent. We found the answers to our questions to be informative, knowledgeable and quick.

• Live Chat: 24/7 via website

PokerStars Mobile Compatibility

We downloaded the app to review PokerStars Casino properly. The PokerStars app is available to download for free at the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. We found the app to be fast and nicely laid out, so it’s simple to navigate to different games or your account settings.

Most crucially, the experience and features on the app are the same as the website, so all the games are available to play, whilst at the same time it is easy to make deposits and withdrawals.

Yet, if you prefer playing in your mobile browser, then no problem! The games load fast and are optimised to your screen size. This helps give you a largely unmatched gaming experience whenever you play at PokerStars Casino on the go.

Player Safety & Responsible Gambling

While writing this PokerStars review, we concluded that the casino operator takes responsible gambling seriously. This is great to see. There is a dedicated section within the app, and on the website, you’ll find the responsible gambling links located in the footer area.

When you click the link, you’ll see two main sections: What you can do to help yourself and What PokerStars Casino can do to help you. The former consists of the option of setting deposit limits, whether that’s daily, weekly or monthly. In addition, you can request to take time out or click on third-party support links such as GAMSTOP and gambleaware.org to find further advice.

In the section where PokerStars can help you, you’ll find self-exclusion tools and the age verification procedure. , on the responsible gambling page itself, there’s a handy questionnaire to take if you think you’re experiencing problem gambling.

Licenses & Security

When you play casino games, you want to know that everything is safe. And when you win, you’ll want to know that you’ll be getting your winnings. At PokerStars Casino, we have complete confidence that this is the case because the platform is licenced and regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) under account number 39108.

Why does this matter? Because if you ever have a problem with PokerStars UK, you can file a complaint with the UKGC. The regulator will look into your case and provide impartial advice with recommended actions to take. In short, the UKGC is always on your side.

Last but not least, PokerStars Casino employs the latest TLS encryption to help keep your data under lock and key.

PokerStars Company Information

• Name: PokerStars Casino
• Company: Stars Interactive Limited
• Address: Stars Interactive Limited, Douglas Bay Complex, King Edward Road, Onchan, Isle of Man, IM3 1DZ
• Established: 2001
• License: UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
• License No.: 039108-R-319334-024

Which Company Owns PokerStars?

PokerStars Casino is owned and operated by Stars Interactive Limited, a company with its headquarters in the Isle of Man. However, the parent company of the entire operation is the Flutter Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange with the ticker $FLTR.

The Flutter Group is a massive gambling company that owns many household casino and sportsbook brands in the UK. These include Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Betting and Gaming, to just name a few. Therefore, we feel in safe hands at PokerStars Casino.

PokerStars Casino Compared

Let's now find out just how well PokerStars can hold its own against some heavyweight UK online casinos…

PokerStars Vs 32Red Casino

PokerStars Casino offers a broad range of games, including poker, slots, and live casino, with a strong focus on poker tournaments. It has 35x wagering requirements, making it ideal for poker enthusiasts who also enjoy casino games.

32Red Casino provides over 500 games, focusing on slots and live casino, with lower wagering requirements of 30x. It’s well-known for excellent customer support and exclusive slot games.

Verdict: Choose PokerStars for poker and tournaments or 32 Red Casino for better customer support and slots.

PokerStars Vs Bwin Casino

PokerStars Casino offers a diverse range of games, including poker, slots, and live casino, with 35x wagering requirements. It is the top choice for poker enthusiasts who enjoy tournament play alongside other casino games.

Bwin Casino provides a mix of 500+ games and sports betting options, also with 35x wagering requirements, making it a great option for players who want both casino gaming and a strong sports betting platform.

Verdict: Choose PokerStars for poker-focused gaming or Bwin for a mix of casino and sports betting.

PokerStars Vs 888 Casino

PokerStars Casino focuses on poker, offering an extensive range of poker tournaments alongside slots and live casino games. It’s ideal for players looking for a poker-first experience with 35x wagering requirements.

888 Casino provides a broader selection of over 1,000 games, including exclusive slots, live casino, and sports betting. It has 30x wagering requirements, making it more appealing for players seeking lower wagering and diverse game options.

Verdict: Choose PokerStars for poker-focused gaming or 888Casino for more variety and lower wagering.

PokerStars User Reviews

PokerStars has received a mixture of positive and negative feedback from users. While some players appreciate the platform's game variety and sleek design, there are recurring complaints.

The most common issue revolves around withdrawal delays. Players report long processing times, especially when verifying accounts. This can lead to frustration for those expecting faster payouts.

Game fairness is another concern raised by users, particularly around poker and slot games. Some players feel that the games don’t always offer fair outcomes and question the randomisation of results.

Customer service also comes under fire, with slow response times and limited support options being mentioned frequently.

Here’s a summary of the most common complaints:

PokerStars Casino Verdict

PokerStars Casino offers a fantastic range of games, especially live dealer options and exclusive slots. The platform stands out for its smooth mobile app and a wide variety of banking methods, including fast eWallet withdrawals. However, the welcome bonus is limited to slots, and the lack of demo versions for games is a downside. Overall, PokerStars is an excellent choice for UK players who enjoy a diverse gaming experience, including poker, casino games, and sports betting, all under one account.

PokerStars Casino FAQ

What is the withdrawal time at PokerStars Casino?

The PokerStars withdrawal time depends on which payment method you use. It’s always best to use the same method for deposits and withdrawals. For debit cards, it’s 3-10 working days, eWallets up to 1 hour and with bank transfers, you’ll have to wait around 3-5 business days.

What licenses does PokerStars Casino have?

Everything is above board at PokerStars Casino because the operator is licenced and regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). If you ever have a problem with a particular PokerStars game or you haven’t received your winnings, take it up with UKGC.

Is it legal to play at PokerStars Casino in the UK?

Yes. Provided you are at least 18 years of age, all those living in the United Kingdom can play at PokerStars Casino legally. To prove your age, however, you must send your identification documents when you register. This can be a copy of your passport, driving licence or ID card.

Who owns PokerStars Casino?

PokerStars Casino online is owned by Stars Interactive Limited, a company registered in the Isle of Man. Yet, the parent company of Stars Interactive Limited is The Flutter Group, which is famous for its many UK gambling brands. These include Paddy Power, Betfair and Tombola.

Can I trust PokerStars Casino?

In a word, yes. Why? Because the platform is licenced and regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. In addition, the site uses SSL encryption to keep your personal and financial data safe and secure. Plus, the brand has built up a stellar reputation over the years.