Is Pokerstars Rigged
Our PokerStars Casino review features the latest bonus information – including a PokerStars Casino bonus code for their welcome bonus – plus the casino games, VIP program, payouts and more.
PokerStars is one of the world’s leading poker sites that was founded back in 2001 by The Stars Group. Despite their poker focus, they decided to branch out with a dedicated PokerStars Casino.
The old Casino Professor was sceptical about whether they could really become one of the better casino sites around. Initially, the Prof didn’t think it was possible but after A LOT of hard work he’s started to change his mind…
PokerStars Casino review talking points:
- Different wagering structure
- Ever-improving list of games
- PayPal payments
- Multi-currency feature – no longer just $
- All-round quality gambling site
- We Have Your Answer. Online poker players who suffer bad beats at PokerStars sometimes complain that the site is rigged, but selective memory is likely in play. Players have been debating for years whether or not everything is on the up and up when it comes to online poker, with much of the conversation on poker forums focused on PokerStars. As the industry’s top online poker site for almost a decade, it’s no suprise that PokerStars faces allegations every now and again from disgruntled.
- Established in 2015, the PokerStars casino is part of the Stars Group. The Stars Group is a global leader in online gaming. It owns many of the top names in online gambling and runs top tournaments. The casino is now one of the most popular online casinos around the world, with a huge player base.
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PokerStars Casino Bonus
The PokerStars Casino bonus is pretty nice but there are differences depending on where you’re located:
- PokerStars Casino Bonus EU: 100% up to $500 (x3!) + Free Spins
Wondering why it’s all in dollars? Even though PokerStars is regarded as both a top UK online casino and one of the best European online casinos, the currency is always in US dollars.
However, YOU CAN deposit in £s, €s and other currencies with a conversion taking place. We explain the PokerStars Multi-Currency feature below.
To make sure you get the above offers, you need to enter specific codewords…
PokerStars Casino Bonus Code 2020
Make sure to follow this blueprint of bonus codes so that you don’t miss out on this offer:
- PokerStars Casino Bonus Code EU: WELCOME1, WELCOME2, WELCOME 3 (respectively)
PokerStars Casino Free Spins
Again, the free spins at PokerStars Casino are available on different games depending on location:
- PokerStars Casino Free Spins EU: Progressive Jackpot Slots
In the Progressive Jackpot Slots collection is Stars Mega Spin, Matchday Millions, Crystal Millions and Millionaires Island. All of these games come with a guaranteed jackpot of $1million.
There is a maximum cash value of x10 the total amount won from free spins. For example, if you won $51.35 from them then the max cash value would be $513.50.
PokerStars Redemption Points (Wagering)
Near enough all casino bonuses come with a catch, but the wagering requirements at PokerStars Casino are unlike any that the Professor has ever seen.
Basically, you need to earn a certain number of “redemption points” for each dollar you receive as a bonus. The exact number depends on each country.
A table on their website explains the conversion rates for all types of games that they have (see their slots PDF). The best games for wagering are those with the highest conversion between dollars played and redemption points earned.
This is kind of a complex system so you should really try to make sense of it before playing. It does seem quite fair but we cannot say that we really enjoyed these weird curveballs when putting together our PokerStars Casino review.
Other significant terms for the PokerStars deposit bonuses are:
- $25 minimum deposit for all offers
- $500 maximum bonus for deposits of $250 or over
- Each offer must be activated within 14 days of the previous deposit
- Free Spins expire after 7 days
- Deposit bonuses expire after 28 days
Is PokerStars Rigged?
The big question before we actually analyse the casino site and its features: is PokerStars safe to play at?
The Professor has seen plenty of negative PokerStars Casino reviews online. However, he was pleasantly surprised to find very few issues for casino with much of the criticism directed at the poker site.
Being part of the publically listed The Stars Group (TSGI:CN), PokerStars Casino have to stringently adhere to ground rules.
They have gaming licenses from many jurisdictions, including the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). There are no recorded sanctions on their UKGC license.
If you have an issue with PokerStars Casino that can’t be resolved with their customer support team then you can raise a dispute with IBAS for a final result.
Promotions for Existing Players
PokerStars Casino also have a separate Promotions webpage where they offer extra treats to their existing players.
There are plenty of options available which are constantly changing. But here are a few classics that are set in stone.
Stars Rewards VIP Program
One of the really great perks of playing at a casino with sports betting and poker is that you can combine your entertainment. That also happens with their VIP program too.
Fill up your progress bar by making real money bets and collect chests once you level up. These contain prizes which are tailored to what you like to play.
You can also receive boosts to fill your progress bar more rapidly and spend so-called StarsCoins in the Rewards store to add to your benefits.
Tournaments, Leaderboards & Challenges
Alternatively, you can go head-to-head against fellow players by competing in the many PokerStars tournaments.
Take Live Casino leaderboards as an example. No opt-in is needed, and you’ll gain points as you win. The top competitors will walk away at the end of it with a cash prize.
Want a more private gaming session? PokerStars Casino run daily slot challenges for you to take part in. Missions such as “play 25 spins on today’s slot of choice” are dreamt up, usually culminating in raffles for bonuses.
Deposit Bonus for Existing Players
If you’re after a good old deposit bonus as an existing player then there are plenty of options to cater for this:
- Random Casino Bonuses: Occasionally, you may just open your account to find a deposit bonus ready to activate.
- Social Media: PokerStars Casino are known to offer a deposit bonus for existing players across Facebook.
- Spin of the Day: Make one real-money wager, get a Spin of the Day ticket, and you could be handed an instant bonus.
Bonus Code for Existing Players
You may also find that these promotions sometimes have a dedicated bonus code for current players. Of course, we can’t give specific examples as PokerStars like to chop and change their offers from time-to-time.
However, if a bonus code for existing players does exist, it’ll be made very clear in the offer’s details so you don’t miss out.
Payments
Many payment methods are offered by this worldwide site.
The cashier is located in the navigation bar once you’ve logged into your account, and this will bring up the available options. Here are a few examples for PokerStars Casino UK:
- Cards (Visa/MasterCard/Maestro)
- Skrill/Neteller
- PayPal
- MuchBetter
- Paysafecard
- Boku
- PokerStars Top Up (via Paypoint or Payzone services)
The icing on the cake for us is that this is one of the few PayPal casinos due to the added convenience this offers.
PokerStars Withdrawal Time
The time it takes PokerStars Casino withdrawals to enter your account is usually between 3-5 business days.
When going to make a withdrawal, you can use either Visa card, MuchBetter, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, or bank transfer. NOTE: withdrawals are automatically credited back to your deposit method (unless it’s not available).
Multi-Currency
Although you will initially see all bonuses in dollars, you can add a secondary currency from within Cashier in your account if you’d prefer.
Select between GBP, EUR or CAD and state which one is your preferred choice.
PokerStars Casino will then attempt to use this money first, before converting to USD if needs be. If you don’t add a secondary currency, your deposits will automatically be converted into USD. Don’t worry, you’ll be told exactly how much you’ll get!
It sounds a little complicated but you’ll soon get your head around it.
PokerStars Casino Games
When the casino of PokerStars first began, it was limited to just a few slots and providers. These days, there’s a real army of developers on board – with hundreds of PokerStars Casino games to play!
You can see the complete list of PokerStars Casino game providers at the top of this review. Names such as NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, and Quickspin can be found.
If you like live-streaming action, there are a number of live casino tables for you to connect to. These feature roulette, blackjack, baccarat and variations of poker.
Poker (& Sport)
The Professor doesn’t have much of a poker face and isn’t a keen sports follower. However, he realises that many players are keen so he felt his PokerStars Casino review should touch on them.
The poker site is one of the most popular of its kind across the globe with huge poker players as ambassadors. There are many different variants of poker and what seems like endless tables to join.
Sports betting falls under the BetStars site and includes both your classic and unorthodox sports. You can choose to bet before a game is played, or “In-Play” whilst it’s happening live.
Mobile Casino
PokerStars Casino is available on mobile devices.
You’ll find all of the above features on smartphones and tablets – such as a vast number of games, Stars Rewards, promotions and payment methods.
Any up to date smartphone or tablet with a good web browser can be used to log in and play casino or bet on sports.
PokerStars App
You may also be able to download the PokerStars Casino app on both Apple and Android. The app is heavily promoted with prompts from your mobile browser.
The Professor found no real advantage of using the app over the web – for casino at least.
Poker players do require a separate app to be downloaded. But for slots, table games and the like, the Prof thinks Chrome, Safari or another reputable browser will do the trick.
PokerStars Support
The help team at PokerStars Casino are on hand 24 hours a day to settle any issues.
If you think your problem will be common, the first point of call would be the FAQs section – which is particularly detailed!
If that doesn’t rectify anything then use one of these options:
- Live Chat
- Online form
That last entry isn’t just the usual Twitter account either. The @StarsSupport has been set up specifically to help players.
Unfortunately, there is no contact number at PokerStars at the moment.
Restricted Countries
Unfortunately, there are a few places where residents cannot play here.
Regions where online gambling is illegal are not eligible for starters, but the Professor couldn’t find a definitive list of PokerStars prohibited jurisdictions.
Try signing up if you’re interested and you should find out pretty quickly.
FAQ
PokerStars Casino Review by Casino Professor
Phew! There was a lot to get through but I really liked the casino version of PokerStars despite being unsure to begin with.
The games library is big and there are a lot of promotions plus a good VIP scheme to keep us busy.
My main blot was the wagering requirements – but that’s mainly because it’s different to what we’d expect. There’s no suggesion they’re too high or tricky!
If you enjoy casino with other gambling then this could well be a great platform for you.
Why Is Pokerstars Rigged
Remember to write your own PokerStars Casino review below!
Casino Professor
While doing research for this guide, I read hundreds of pages of 2+2’s PokerStars Improvement Thread and played tons of hours of online poker at PokerStars.com. I’ve also been in the online poker industry for well over a decade, from before PokerStars ever got started. With that said, let’s get started on the PokerStars review.
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PokerStars Pros & Cons
Pros
- Secure and Safe Online Poker Site.
- Massive Opportunity for Gaming.
- Quality Customer Support.
- Great promotional opportunities.
Cons
- Low US Player availability.
- No Live Chat Support.
About PokerStars.com
Since 2006, PokerStars has reigned as the most popular online poker room in the world – and not only has it been in the lead, it has dominated its competition.
For instance, according to PokerScout.com, PokerStars’ cash game traffic at its lowest hours is still twice as high as its nearest competition’s traffic at peak hours. At the time of writing, PokerStars has about 19,000 cash-game players online while the second busiest site (888 Poker) has about 3,000.
Not one competitor comes even close to PokerStars. But for how long?
Is PokerStars legit? Safety and security
When choosing an online poker room, players want a place that is safe and secure. At PokerStars, only the latest technology is used to ensure that gameplay is fair, player data is secure, and all financial transactions are safe. When it comes to fairness, PokerStars has game integrity experts who work to ensure that no player has an advantage over another. Software security is in place as well, to keep the quality of gameplay at the highest level.
Does Pokerstars Cheat
PokerStars also holds their licensing within the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. This commission was created in 1962 and ensures the regulation of online gambling activities. With this backing and the standards PokerStars upholds, players can rest assured they are going to experience legit game play.
Opening your PokerStars account
With our PokerStars review, you can easily learn how to open a new account. Below you will find step-by-step instructions to get you started.
- Download the online poker software from PokerStars
- Open the software via the quick-start icon, should be labeled “PokerStars”
- Once opened, choose ‘Create a new account now”
- From here, you will be able to set up your Stars Account
PokerStar Bonus
Bonuses are readily available at PokerStars, especially for new members. To begin, new players to the site can access $30 in Free Play. Deposit $20 or more with the bonus code THIRTY to earn this extra bonus cash. The $30 in Free Play includes Spin & Go Tickets plus bonus cash.
Another option for new players is the 100% deposit bonus worth up to $600. This bonus can be accessed by using the code STAR600 and depositing via three qualifying deposits within a 60-day time frame. After depositing, players will need to play real money games. During gameplay, redemption points are earned. Players will earn 5 redemption points for every $1 paid in rake or tournament fees.
Player Traffic and Tournament Prizepools
Is Pokerstars Rigged
Even though the recent changes have been unpleasant (to say the least), PokerStars is lightyears ahead of others when it comes to cash game player traffic and tournament prize pools. Volume makes a huge difference and PokerStars has ten times the volume of its closest competitor. For a poker player who cares about the art of game selection (as any winning player should), there’s no better place to play at than PokerStars.com.
While there is a high level of traffic at PokerStars, the game quality is among the poorest in all of online poker. Grinders play a dozen or more tables at a time. There are also problems with bum-hunting, meaning serious players will only go up against weaker ones. Some of the recent changes have tried to combat this, but it has not been effective.
PokerStars real money deposit and withdrawals
Now that you have your PokerStars account created, its time to learn about deposits and withdrawals. There are options for players to enjoy PokerStars via desktop and mobile, so game play can be enjoyed at home or on the go. PokerStars bitcoin, WebMoney, Visa, MasterCard and many more options are available for deposit and withdrawal depending on your location.
- Desktop Cashier
- In the desktop version, you will need to open the software and click on Cashier then the Make a Deposit tab. Select the deposit option you wish to use and click Deposit. Enter the amount and use a bonus code if it applies. Click submit and once your transaction is processed, you are ready to play.
- Mobile Cashier
- Log in to the PokerStars app via your mobile device using your Stars ID. Be sure you log in via the real money tab. Choose the Deposit button to open the cashier. With an iOS device you will find the Cashier button at the bottom of the screen. On Android, you will need to choose the navigation menu at the top left corner to find the cashier. Choose your payment option, preferred currency and amount of deposit. Follow the instructions to complete your transaction.
When choosing your payment method, you will need to choose an option available to your country. PokerStars offers varying financial methods based on location. Players in one location may have access to more deposit and withdrawal options based on their home country. Be sure to check what options are open to you and select the preferred method when depositing.
Software Quality
For several years now, I’ve ranked PokerStars’ software as the second best in the world, right behind Full Tilt. For me, Full Tilt had something special, but PokerStars has always had good software as well which obviously appeals to plenty of people. Full Tilt was folded into PokerStars in May 2016, leaving PokerStars as the top software in the online poker industry.
What’s so good about the software, then? Well, for one, it works (or at least worked before the latest major update). It’s easy on the eye, and even more importantly, it’s easy to use. Online poker has been around for over 15 years now and it’s mind-boggling how few online poker rooms still have a top quality software, and PokerStars happens to be one of the rare sites who do.
Playing on PokerStars on your mobile device
With our PokerStars review, we wanted to cover mobile device use as most players want to take their online poker gaming on the go. The very same features and support can be found on mobile, allowing players to move from desktop to mobile with ease, never missing out on poker opportunities. With the mobile cashier, players will be able to manage their bankroll, making deposits via the Mobile poker application.
To get started, players will need to download the application on their mobile device. PokerStars offers mobile gaming via iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. Once downloaded, players can log in and begin able to enjoy poker cash games or tournaments from anywhere!
The big benefit of mobile gaming is being able to play at any time from anywhere. You are no longer tethered to your desktop computer and can log on anywhere you like.
PokerStars Customer Support
You don’t get to be the top online poker site in the world by providing bad customer support. PokerStars is a professional online poker operation and they will treat you that way. They’re also active in online gambling communities by answering to members’ questions, solving their problems and asking for feedback.
The customer support personnel aren’t to blame for the decisions the directors of the company have made regarding the recent (mostly negative) changes. If anything, their job has become harder since people are surely complaining more nowadays.
I have no complaints regarding the customer support department (except for the lack of phone support which could come in handy). But the way PokerStars takes care of its customers as a company (again, referring to the recent changes) has changed for the worse and that bothers me (and judging by all the comments made online, bother a lot of other people too). With that said, it is still among the best in terms of how it handles player complaints and support issues.
Amaya Acquisition
…the ability to fight off the ABCs of business decay, which are arrogance, bureaucracy and complacency. When these corporate cancers metastasize, even the strongest of companies can falter.Warren Buffett
Only time will tell if Amaya is making smart business decisions. But I can tell you something right now: plenty of PokerStars customers are disappointed by 2 major changes, first, it has cut back on costs and second, Amaya increased fees. These changes have lead to a worse user experience.
How the Amaya acquisition has affected PokerStars
Not only is it more expensive to play at PokerStars due to the increase in rake fees in both cash games and tournaments, and the decrease in the VIP benefits, they now seem less and less willing to promote poker by cutting out affiliate marketers and terminating contracts with Team PokerStars Pros all the while launching online casino games and sportbooks.
They’ve also decreased the quality of the playing experience. When it comes to significant software updates in any business, you’ll have long-time users who aren’t fond of the changes but it eventually grows on them. In this case, lots of players started experiencing significant lags after the software update from what’s called PokerStars 6 to PokerStars 7. Players are now reporting continuous lags, sometimes to the point where the tables are frozen for several minutes while multi-table tournaments are running (the lags seem especially bad for multi-tablers).
But why is this happening?
If the rumors on poker forums are to be believed – not always a good idea – Amaya has also cut back on server costs which, in turn, has caused its customers to experience significant lags. A PokerStars representative took part in 2+2 forum’s discussion with the following quote:
Unfortunately, lags have continued long after the tournament was held. And it was a weak response either way since we’ve already seen PokerStars host the biggest tournaments online ever. If the problem is on server-side, then the server-side isn’t what it used to be.
And that, in turn, is in line with the rumors. Amaya Gaming has since changed names to Stars Group to reflect its largest holding.
Conclusion
PokerStars may still be the best option for online poker players around the world (US players are prohibited) but its quality has gone downhill recently. However, it’s hard to argue against the massive amounts of player traffic and tournament prizepools which tower over all of PokerStars’ competitors, in addition to other types of promotions that PokerStars is better-equipped to offer than its significantly smaller competition.
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