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PokerStars expanded its enormous online poker platform into the Keystone State thanks to the recent changes for legal online poker in Pennsylvania.

The company became the first online poker site in the state when went live in November of 2019. The client integrates the online poker site with the FOX Bet app and the PokerStars online casino.

The company provides a similar online poker experience as that of its New Jersey operation when it comes to game selection, banking options, bonuses, promotions and more.

What’s on tap for bonus offers?

Players in Pennsylvania have an attractive welcome package along with plenty of monthly reload-match offers.

The reliable software package from PokerStars comes equipped with a plethora of customization options to give the company the advantage in a brand-new market.

The in-house team at PokerStars has also done a fantastic job implementing new varieties and styles to ensure the most significant assortment of game types in the US.

With that in mind, let’s take an in-depth look at the potential bonus offers that you can expect as a new player. Then we will share other promotions designed explicitly for its loyal customers.

Also, we will walk you through the game selection, tournament selection, and payment methods before we conclude our review with poker software and customer support.

PokerStars PA bonus offers

PokerStars entered the Pennsylvania online poker market with some attractive welcome offers, including limited-time freerolls.

There are two deposit bonuses, but players must make a choice between them.

$30 Free or 100% welcome bonus, up to $600

Players can choose between one of two deposit offers. The first offer promises to give players $30 free if they deposit $20 into their new accounts. Use the marketing code FREE30 for this offer.

The other offer is a 100% deposit match up to $600. The marketing code for this offer is STARS600. However, as is the case with most deposit matches, there is a significant playthrough requirement attached to this promotion.

So, players will have to decide how they want to proceed. Honestly, though, there really isn’t a wrong choice.

PokerStars marketing code

PokerStars game selection in Pennsylvania

Even though players are most excited about the classic poker variants, other variations are expected to make their way to Pennsylvania on the PokerStars platform.

In fact, PokerStars in New Jersey currently impresses with the biggest selection of online poker varieties with a total of 17 games.

You should be able to find the perfect online poker game by using built-in filters to find games by type, the maximum number of players, stakes and buy-in levels. Furthermore, you will have the option to hide full tables for added convenience.

Online poker enthusiasts in Pennsylvania will also have the same features and customization options as players in New Jersey when it comes to saving filters for future use.

The wide range of poker games that will likely make their way to Pennsylvania include:

• 2-7 Single Draw
• 2-7 Triple Draw
• 8 Game Mix
• Badugi
• Five Card Draw
• Five Card Omaha
• HORSE
• Omaha
• Omaha Hi/Lo
• Razz
• Stud
• Stud Hi/Lo
• Hold’em

We anticipate that No-Limit Hold’em will dominate the games lobby where limits should range from $0.05/$0.10 up to $25/$50. However, Limit Hold’em will also be quite popular among players with stakes going as high as $100/$200 on most days.

The table limits for these games will coincide with the limits for Texas Hold’em. However, it will greatly depend on player traffic and the variant you wish to play on the day.

Player traffic at PokerStars PA

Once PokerStars in Pennsylvania launches, you should see more than 400 players on various cash games at any given time.

Player traffic generally peaks between 7-8 p.m. That’s when you should see an increase to 700-800players, if not more.

Over the weekends, player traffic should even increase to around 1,000-1,200 players at any given time.

During the first week of play, PA’s numbers outpaced NJ and had more than 500 players on a weekday.

Tournament selection at PokerStars Pennsylvania

Poker tournaments are going to be one of the most attractive features for the online poker community in Pennsylvania. These should eventually become ever more populated.

To successfully build a robust tournament schedule, along with a selection of options, there needs to be a sizeable player pool to join in on these events. As we’ve all witnessed with new online poker rooms, it takes time before poker tournaments gather momentum.

However, with PokerStars aiming to become the biggest online poker operator in the Keystone State, we expect to find a wide variety of tournaments with some sizeable prize pools.

Poker tournaments are ideal for transforming a small buy-in into a massive payday. This is especially true for tournaments that come equipped with guaranteed prize pools.

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the poker tournaments that should make their way to Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s Championship of Online Poker

The PokerStars platform in the Keystone State already provided a Championship of Online Poker tournament series to players in the newly legalized state. The first PACOOP blew the guarantees out of the water, leading PokerStars to bump them up twice from $1 million to $1,225,000.

Sunday tournaments

Sundays are the most important day when it comes to online poker in New Jersey; we expect that it will be the same in Pennsylvania.

You will notice that all the Main Events will occur on a Sunday at PokerStars Pennsylvania, usually between the hours of 6-8 p.m. every week. The required buy-ins will likely range between $5-$250, depending on the size of the prize pool that should be worth $10,000 or more.

You can also participate in multiple satellite tournaments throughout the week. These award entries into the larger tournaments on Sunday for a fraction of the original entry price.

Spin & Go tournaments

Spin & Gos are considered the most popular tournaments at PokerStars New Jersey. We believe that these will eventually prove just as popular in Pennsylvania.

The welcome bonus at PokerStars PA is the same at PokerStars NJ, a $10 bonus for Spin & Go play.

These tournaments are essentially the same as Sit & Gos, complete with a smaller number of players and much faster gameplay.

The initial buy-in should be relatively low, while a multiplier spin feature will determine the prize pool. The multiplier value can reach up to 1,000 times the current buy-in value.

Multi-table tournaments

Once player traffic reaches a sizable figure within the Keystone State, PokerStars will provide an arsenal of multi-table tournaments (MTT). MTTs will impress with smaller buy-ins and bigger payouts due to the size of the player base involved.

As you play and advance throughout the tournament, you will be seated with winners from other tables. You eventually will make it to the final table or you fall out due to running out of poker chips.

MTTs take a lot longer to complete when compared to Spin N’ Go tournaments.

Daily tournaments

There should be hundreds of smaller daily tournaments available, allowing you to enjoy poker variations like Omaha or Texas Hold ’em in the Keystone State.

These tournaments will come equipped with extremely low buy-in requirements and a decent prize pool. PokerStars is already renowned for providing the most extensive selection of tourneys in the Garden State, so we expect the same for players in Pennsylvania.

Your daily tournaments should also include a good mixture of change-up, turbos, and knockout tournaments.

Mobile compatibility

The PokerStars software should provide Pennsylvania customers the convenience and flexibility to play on their desktop computer, along with the ability to play via a mobile browser-based website and mobile app. Apple and Android apps are available.

The PokerStars mobile poker app will give you access to all the cash games and tournaments. Also, you can claim promotions, contact support, make deposits, request withdrawals and more. The mobile poker apps should run smoothly, much like the Pokers NJ app.

PokerStars payment methods

In a state with many available banking options, PokerStars made it a point to have a variety of choices from the outset.

The professionalism of PokerStars shines brightly when you look at how quickly it handles deposits and processes withdrawals through the poker software.

That efficiency should surely be the case for Pennsylvania players, regardless if you are using your desktop computer or mobile device.

Deposit methods at PokerStars PA

• ACH e-check
• Cash at the Mount Airy cage
• Neteller
• PayNearMe
• PokerStars’ instant online banking
• PokerStars Online Play+ card
• Skrill
• Visa or Mastercard

One missing PA option for now is PayPal, which is available in NJ.

Each deposit method will allow you to deposit funds instantly without having to worry about any hidden fees or charges from the operator’s end. Each payment method is safe and secure.

All of your financial and personal details will be safeguarded using SSL-encryption technology.

Withdrawal methods at PokerStars PA

• ACH e-check
• Cash at the Mount Airy partner’s cage
• Neteller
• PokerStars online Play+ card
• Skrill

When it comes to withdrawing your winnings, PokerStars PA will be able to process your payment within 24 hours. Examining the NJ site, you should receive your winnings within 3-10 working days, depending on your preferred payment method.

E-wallet options will reflect in your funds within 48 hours, while ACH can take up to five days to clear your funds.

Customer support at PokerStars Pennsylvania

The customer service center at PokerStars is renowned for providing professional support quickly and effectively. We expect the support desk at PokerStars PA to be no different.

You’ll be able to reach a PokerStars representative in several ways to ensure your query or request is dealt with as soon as possible.

The contact methods should include:

• Live chat facility
• Email support
• Telephone support

The customer service center in Pennsylvania should be available 24/7. Alternatively, you should also have access to a comprehensive FAQ section on the official site. It can assist you with a range of queries from registering a new account to making a successful withdrawal with step-by-step instructions.

• Poker Bonus
• Game Selection
• Support
• Banking

Summary

PokerStars in Pennsylvania follows in the footsteps of its New Jersey counterpart and offers one of the best online poker sites in the state. Likewise, bonuses are generous and simple to clear.

The launch of PokerStars in New Jersey back in 2016 was maybe the most anticipated event in the history of US online poker. Since, PokerStars has brought the heft of its international brand back into the US and re-established itself as a major player in the expanding US poker scene.

Its partnership with Mount Airy Casino in Pennsylvania and the launch of online poker in PA in 2019 brought it one step further into the US market. And PokerStars Michigan became the third state to see the return of PokerStars for online poker players when it launched, in partnership with the Odawa Casino Resort, in January 2021.

Current US states where you can play real-money poker on PokerStars:

How Can I Play on PokerStars in the US?

You can open a new PokerStars account from anywhere in the US (and play play-money poker). But you must be physically within a licensed state’s borders (and be of legal age) to play real money poker.

Below find a complete overview of what PokerStars currently offers poker players in the US; check back to see which new states have been or are soon to be added.

PokerStars marketing code

How to Get Free Money on PokerStars

Players that open a new account at either PokerStars NJ, PokerStars PA or PokerStars MI are welcomed with either $30 free if they deposit $20, or a bonus match up to $600, not both.

Make a deposit of $20 or more using marketing code FREE30 and you are immediately eligible for:

• $30 in free play

PokerStars Free Play Bonus includes:

• $20 Bonus Money
• $10 in Spin & Go tickets
• Free entry into a $5,000 depositor freeroll
• 1 million in Play-Money chips

Note:Freeroll ticket and play-money chips are added to your account immediately. The first $10 in bonus money is credited to your account within 36 hours of deposit; final $10 in bonus money credited to your account 7 days after first deposit.

Spin & Go tickets are awarded as follows:

• Day 1: 3 x $1 Spin & Go tickets
• Day 2: 1 x $2 Spin & Go ticket
• Day 3: 1 x $5 Spin & Go ticket

PokerStars Spin & Go’s

Spin & Go’s are PokerStars’ signature Jackpot Sit & Go tournaments which multiply the prize pool randomly before the tournament begins. Buy-ins are from $1-$25 and each tournament then awards from 2x to 1,000 times your buy-in.

Spin & Go’s are three-handed turbo events that play out very fast and can give you amazing opportunities for big scores (up to $25,000 prize pools) compared to the buy-in.

How To Get Free Pokerstars Play Chips

Note that Spin & Go’s are not available in Pennsylvania.

PokerStars Deposit Bonus

The first-deposit bonus for PokerStars US players, using the marketing code STARS600, is:

• 100% match bonus up to $600

That means whatever amount you deposit (up to $600) will be matched by PokerStars in bonus money.

The bonus releases in $10 increments for every 100 VIP Player Points (VPPs) earned. That is equivalent to an unprecedented 55% rakeback rate.

PokerStars awards VPPs at a rate of 5.5 for every $1 in rake paid at cash games, SNGs and tournaments. Any portion of the bonus not cleared within 120 days expires.

As part of the offer, players also get a $5,000 depositor freeroll ticket.

Pokerstars Free Play Chips Codec

PokerStars Download

New PokerStars players have two ways to download the PokerStars platform and hit the tables:

• Full PokerStars download for PC or Mac (Apple)
• Download PokerStars app for your iPhone/iPad/Android

Both are fast and simple. To start the download on your computer, just click the appropriate link below for your state to get to the main PokerStars download page. Here are shortcuts for NJ and PA:

PokerStars software works for both for PCsand Macs; it’ll self-prompt you to download the proper format for your computer type. Once you’ve downloaded the PokerStars software you’ll finish the registration process by:

• Creating your Stars ID (your poker screen name)
• Setting your password
• Entering the rest of your personal details required (email, age, etc) a
• Bonus Code (see above)

Your account will be operational in minutes. You can also access your 1 million in play-money chips right away. If you want to play real money poker at PokerStars, you’ll also need to:

• Download the Geolocation software to confirm you’re within New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Michigan state borders
• Make a deposit to your account via any of the accepted methods via the “Cashier” tab

More on your deposit (& cashout) options below.

Download the PokerStars App

PokerStars has a slick and easy-to-use poker app for playing both play-money and real money poker. You can open an account via the App alone or create an account on your desktop and then log-in via the App to play.

To download the app for your iPhone, iPad or Android:

• Download the app to your iOS or Android device
• Register your account (or log in to your created account)
• Make a deposit or buy/play with play-money chips

PokerStars App – Game Play

The PokerStars app is made for poker players so its known for its ease-of-use and in-game functionality.

Finding cash games and tournaments is simple with a slide bar to scroll through cash games, MTTs, SnGs and Spin & Go’s; there’s also a tab at the top to toggle between real-money and play-money games.

The Lobby, Cashier, My Stars account, Challenges, Leaderboards and Customizable settings are also easy to find and use. If you want to make a real-money deposit it’s hard to miss the “Deposit” icon – just tap and you’ll be walked through depositing in a few simple steps.

As for the action at the tables, as PokerStars has always been made by poker players the betting slide bars and buttons are well positioned and easily distinguishable to avoid misclicks.

Following the action at the table is clear and straight-forward and the betting bar allows for quick increment changes. Check/fold buttons are also big and visible as are set betting increments. Multi-tabling is also possible via the app.

PokerStars cash games and tournaments

Cash Games

PokerStars offers the widest variety of cash games in US online poker:

• No Limit Hold ’em
• Limit Hold ’em
• Pot Limit Ohama
• Limit Omaha Hi/Lo
• Eight Game
• Limit Stud
• Limit Stud Hi/Lo

And the list goes on. No Limit Hold‘em games dominate the lobby with popular stakes running from $0.05/$0.10 to $2.50/$5.00. NL Hold ‘em Zoom Poker (fast-fold) games also go off regularly, even more so when there’s a cash game promotion running.

SNGs

SNGs are always popular on PokerStars. The ones that do run are generally low- to mid-stakes No Limit Hold ‘em turbo games. Most of the site’s SNGs are of the 6-max variety, although heads-up games run as well.

Spin ‘n Gos

As mentioned above, Spin & Go’s are arguably the site’s mostpopular format. These three-person, hyper turbo games are known for their randomized payouts and blistering pace.

The format is available at the $1, $2, $5, $10 and $25 buy-in levels, and feature jackpot prizes of 1,000x a player’s buy-in.

Multi-table tournaments (MTTs)

PokerStars is the home for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan’s biggest online tournament series events. The annual New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan Championships of Online Poker and Spring Championship of Online Poker feature dozens of events and $1 million+ guaranteed prize pools.

PokerStars also host a nice selection of smaller tournament series events throughout the calendar year, and special events like PennsylMania. That’s a recurring special event which had a prize pool of over half a million dollars with just a $200 buy in on its first go.

As for its daily and weekly MTT schedules, PokerStars also makes the grade. The site offers a dozen nightly majors with buy-ins ranging from $5 to $100 and spanning multiple game formats.

Weekend tournaments guarantee as much as $50,000, and often more during special events. Here’s a quick glimpse of PokerStars’ most popular tournament offerings in the US:

• The Big $5(4 p.m. EST): $5 buy-in, $500 guaranteed
• The Big $30(5 p.m. EST): $30 buy-in, $1,000 guaranteed
• The Big $50(6 p.m. EST): $50 buy-in, $2,000 guaranteed
• The Big $10(6 p.m. EST): $10 buy-in, $1,000 guaranteed
• The Big $20(7 p.m. EST): $20 buy-in, $1,500 guaranteed

More daily tournaments include:

• Hot Turbos
• KO Fever
• Nightly Stars
• Moonlight Express for No-Limit Hold ’em
• Change-up for Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo and Stud

Sunday Majors on PokerStars US

• Sunday Warm-Up(4 p.m. EST): $50 buy-in, $8,500 guaranteed
• Sunday Storm(5 p.m. EST): $10 buy-in, $4,500 guaranteed
• SundaySpecial(6 p.m. EST): $200 buy-in, $45,000 guaranteed
• Sunday High Roller(7 p.m. EST): $500 buy-in, $15,000 guaranteed
• SundaySupersonic(10 p.m. EST): $75 buy-in, $5,000 guaranteed

PokerStars Home Games

One of the favorite features for some players on PokerStars is the Home Games feature, which allows you to set up your own private poker club. You can then invite your friends to play poker online in any format you like, from cash games to tournaments to SnGs.

If you live or play in PA and NJ you can do so against each other with real money in your accounts. You can also play with play money and settle up outside of the poker game itself.

PokerStars Deposits & Cashouts

Deposits

With fully licensed and legal online poker comes a slew of easy-to-use and secure deposit and withdrawal methods. All transactions, via either the desktop or app, are encrypted, secure and protected.

Once your proper account ID and verification are set-up depositing to PokerStars NJ or PokerStars PA is virtually instantaneous. Popular deposit methods include:

• Instant e-checks (ACH)
• Skrill
• Mastercard/Visa credit or debit cards
• PokerStars Instant online banking
• PayNearMe (7/11)
• Cash at the Live Casino partner’s cage (check with casino to confirm: Resorts Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ; Mount Airy Casino in PA; Odawa Casino in Petoskey, MI)
• PokerStars Play+ Card

Of these, players should consider Instant e-checks as their first line of offense. The Play+ Card is also a great option for players who have trouble completing ACH transactions. Those who favor in-person transactions are best opting for PayNearMe or cash at the casino cage.

Cashouts

Players are slightly more restricted with regard to withdrawals but still have plenty of options in both states:

• Instant e-checks
• Skrill
• Cash at the cage
• PokerStars Play+ Card

Generally speaking players must use a method as a deposit vehicle first before withdrawing via the same method.

Poker Stars Promotions

Alongside the Free Play and Deposit Bonuses, PokerStars NJ and PokerStars PA run plenty of ongoing promotions for players. Among the current or past promotions we’ve seen:

• $10,00 Summer Holidays Challenge
• Daily $20,000 Golden Button Challenge
• Monthly MTT Leaderboards
• Online satellites and Spin & Go’s for live tournament seats and packages

Check PokerStars’ promotions page in a particular state for ongoing promotions.

PokerStars Live Tournaments & Packages

PokerStars hosts some pretty spectacular live events around the world and players in the US can take advantage of low buy-in satellites online to win seats and packages. Players can win seats and full travel packages to live events including:

• European Poker Tour
• PokerStars Caribbean Adventure
• PokerStars Live London

and more. Also expected to return in 2020 was the:

• PokerStars Players NL Hold’em Championship (PSPC)

The first edition ran in 2019 and awarded over $26 million in total to players that cashed.

Buy-in is €22,500 (approximately $25,000) but you can win your way there for much, much cheaper via the online satellites. Find the full daily and weekly satellite schedule for live events in the ‘Events’ and ‘Live’ tabs in the lobby.

PokerStars player rewards

All real money poker players at PokerStars are eligible for reward prizes through the Stars Rewards Program. Players get personalized rewards based on their playing preferences across all of the site’s products – casino and sports betting included.

Players who play real money games earn Rewards Points as they play. As you accrue points you’ll fill up an on-screen progress bar. When you reach the end of the bar for that reward level you will earn a Reward Chest to open.

Inside the Chest will be personalized rewards that best suit your level of play. There are six chest levels of increasing size and average value:

• Blue Chest ($0.25-$5)
• Bronze Chest ($0.60-$12)
• Silver Chest ($1.50-$30)
• Gold Chest ($5-$100)
• Diamond Chest ($12.50-$250)
• Black Chest ($35-$700)

Chests can contain StarsCoin — a virtual currency that players can spend at the site’s rewards store — tickets, and goods tailored to players’ preferences. Players can also win Top Rewards, which are massive prizes divided randomly among chests.

Boosts are also available whereby players will earn points at an augmented rate for a limited time.

PokerStars Customer Service

PokerStars offers an extensive FAQ portal divided into four primary sections:

• Support
• Deposit and Cash Out
• Security
• Account

Most of the common questions people have when creating/using a PokerStars account can be solved right there. Players can also fill out the site’s support form to request a callback or written response from an agent.

Is PokerStars Safe?

Beyond being one of the most reputable online poker brands in the entire world, every PokerStars US poker site is subject to rigorous vetting and regulations by the individual state’s Department of Gaming Enforcement.

• In NewJersey, PokerStars has been approved and licensed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).
• In Pennsylvania, PokerStars has been approved and licensed by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PCGB).
• In Michigan, PokerStars has been approved and licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MCGB).

It’s more than accurate to say PokerStars stands apart as one of the safest poker sites online.

PokerStars VR

Virtual Reality has come to poker in the form of PokerStars VR. If you choose to dive in, your perception of live poker will never be the same.

You’ll need the proper VR equipment (and graphics support) to try it out but if you do you’ll be rewarded with a one-of-a-kind, authentic, free poker experience like you’ve never seen before. PokerStars VR offers:

• Dazzling realism from chip to cards to players to dealers
• Real opponents in free ring games
• Immersive, total poker experience with authentic body language, props and accessories
• Play against your friends on private tables or against other players across the world
• Streaming media integration
• Free chips and in-game purchases
• Exotic playing locales including Macau 2050, Monte Carlo Yacht, Showdown Saloon and Galaxy Space Station
• New SnGs plus weekly leaderboards

You can download PokerStars VR from:

• Oculus Store
• Steam
• Viveport

PokerStars US FAQ

Is PokerStars Legal in the US?

Yes. PokerStars officially relaunched to players in New Jersey on March 21, 2016. It launched in Pennsylvania on Nov. 4, 2019. It arrived in Michigan on January 29, 2021. These are currently the only 3 states where PokerStars can legally offer online poker games for real-money but more are soon to come.

Can I play at PokerStars in states outside of New Jersey?

PokerStars is currently licensed to offer games in three US states: New Jersey, Pennsylvania & Michigan.

Players from anywhere can sign up and create a new account but to play real money poker online (either cash games or tournaments) you must be physically within the state’s borders. You do not have to be a resident of either state to play.

How does PokerStars know I’m in NJ, MI or PA?

In order to abide by official state gaming regulations PokerStars must guarantee players accessing its real-money games are within state borders. To do so, players on PokerStars must download a geolocation app along with the PokerStars software or PokerStars App.

Can PokerStars US players play against international PokerStars players?

No, PokerStars US only includes players within the US as of 2019. There is a current compact that allows for a shared player pool between online poker players in New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware but PokerStars does not have a site in Nevada or Delaware.

PokerStars PA and MI players are also ring-fenced and only able to play against each other. There is a likelihood, though, that all state player pools will eventually be merged among similarly licensed online poker states.

One day there is hope the full international player pool (or a portion of it) will be available again to US players.

What caused the delay of PokerStars in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement had concerns about the past legal issues of PokerStars involving the US Department of Justice. The original PokerStars founder had not yet settled with the US Government at the time of the sale to Amaya Gaming.

The sale of PokerStars satisfied any issues New Jersey regulators had with the company.

Are SNG tournaments available ?

Yes. PokerStars has SNGs. Michigan and New Jersey (but not Pennsylvania) have Spin and Go’s as well.

Why does PokerStars have a casino partner in each state?

New Jersey interactive gaming law requires software providers to partner with Atlantic City casinos through their existing license. Casinos can host up to five gaming sites on a brick-and-mortar license.

Likewise, Pennsylvania and Michigan require online poker sites to have a land-based partner.

Which Atlantic City casino is PokerStars’ partner?

PokerStars is partners with ResortsCasino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Which Pennsylvania casino is PokerStars’ partner?

PokerStars is partners with Mount Airy Casino in Pennsylvania.

Which Michigan casino is PokerStars’ partner?

PokerStars is partners with Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey.

Does PokerStars offer casino games?

Yes, PokerStars offers casino games via Stars Casino. You can also sports bet with its sister set, FoxBet.

How big are the Sunday PokerStars tournaments in New Jersey?

Due to the market’s low-population cap, the tournament prize pools on PokerStars New Jersey are not nearly as large as they on the operator’s international site.

At present, the biggest Sunday major is the Sunday Special, which guarantees $50,000. Following that is the Sunday High Roller ($500 buy-in, $15,000 GTD).

There is also a bevy of nightly and weekly tournaments that guarantee a minimum prize pool of $10,000.

PokerStars US Review

PokerStars Quick Review

• Traffic - 91

• Depth of Game Selection - 93

• Software - 98

• Customer Support - 84

• Promotional Value - 94

Summary

The PokerStars client is nothing short of stellar, matching the quality of its award-winning international platform nearly every step of the way. PokerStars also offers two generous, first-time deposit bonus; one tailored toward recreational players and another to regulars. Biannual tournament events that guarantee over $1.2 million each and an eclectic mix of game formats round out New Jersey's most complete online poker package. Now if only customer service were more accessible.

PokerStars’ History

PokerStars is the world’s largest online poker site. It peaks in the neighborhood of 20,000 players daily, according to PokerScout.

In addition to its international poker site, it also holds licenses in the ring-fenced markets of Italy, France and Spain. It is the largest site in two of these three regulated and ring-fenced countries.

PokerStars was not always the largest online poker room in the world. PartyPoker held that distinction until October 2006, when it left the US market. PartyPoker has the most cash-game players, but PokerStars had more tournament participants.

As a result, PokerStars immediately became the largest cash-game site when it announced it would stay in the US market after 2006. It raked an estimated $2 million per day after this decision.

PokerStars’ legal woes

Because of this success, the US Department of Justice took notice. PokerStars became the target of an investigation from the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York.

On April 15, 2011, an indictment was unsealed that named PokerStars and two executives. The charges related to violating the Illegal Gambling Business Act and the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Furthermore, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker were also named on the same indictment.

PokerStars immediately withdrew from the US market, as did Full Tilt and Absolute Poker. Most noteworthy is that PokerStars was able to reimburse account balances for US players within 10 days. Full Tilt and Absolute Poker were unable to pay.

Subsequently, PokerStars acquired Full Tilt through a corporate settlement with the US Justice Department worth $731 million. Part of this settlement went toward paying Full Tilt Poker players that were victims of what the federal government described as fraud.

Once these charges were settled, PokerStars attempted to gain licensing in New Jersey for the state’s new interactive gaming industry that launched in November 2013. They partnered with Resorts.

PokerStars previously attempted to buy the Atlantic Club. They infused the ailing casino with much-needed cash while it attempted to get licensed. Atlantic Club backed out of the deal after the guaranteed closing date passed.

It appeared Atlantic Club was hoping to fetch a higher sales price. That never materialized. Atlantic Club fell into bankruptcy and closed in January 2014. Subsequently, its assets were divided between Caesars Entertainment and Tropicana Entertainment through a bankruptcy auction.

While PokerStars resolved its case through a civil settlement, executives of PokerStars never resolved their charges. This was the reason cited by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement for suspending its gaming license application for two years.

PokerStars’ new owner and eventual entry into New Jersey

Rational Group, the parent company of PokerStars, decided the solution was to sell the company. Amaya Gaming was the suitor.

Amaya Gaming acquired PokerStars in July 2014 for $4.9 billion. As a result, PokerStars’ equity holders left the company at the close of the transaction.

It appears that this merger was the catalyst that gave PokerStars the green light in New Jersey. The Division of Gaming Enforcement is satisfied that PokerStars is now suitable.

Amaya Gaming was already licensed in New Jersey. It maintains several casino platforms, as well as Betfair’s poker platform.

The path was more straightforward to PokerStars to get licensed in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and it managed to be the first online poker site regulated by the state gaming control boards to launch in each state.

Amaya Gaming would either need to defeat that language in bills before they become law or prevail in court challenges under the position that the so-called bad actor clauses are unconstitutional.

Additionally, online poker regulations in Nevada include a tainted asset clause. This means that the sale of PokerStars does not clean the brand in the eyes of regulators. Unless current Nevada law changes, or is found unconstitutional, PokerStars will never operate in Nevada.

Delaware has no such language in its online poker regulations.