PokerStars is expanding 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 it began live testing on Nov. 4. The site was fully approved two days later. The client integrates the online poker site with the FOX Bet app and the PokerStars online casino.
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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.
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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 PA entered the 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
Online Poker | PokerStars PA |
---|---|
PokerStars Marketing Codes | FREE30, STARS600 |
Welcome Offer | $30 free after $20 deposit OR 100% match up to $600 |
Last Verified: | December 2020 |
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 tournies 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.
Numeros Poker Starting
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.
Numeros Poker Stars
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
4.3
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.
Back in New Jersey & More States to Come in 2020?
Currently, PokerStars is only available in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Updated March. 5, 2020 – PokerStars launched in Pennsylvania and has the highest traffic of all regulated poker sites in America. It also hosted the Pennsylvania Online Championship of Poker. This was a huge series with more than $1 million in guaranteed prizes. It took years, but it looks like it was worth the wait for Pennsylvania players.
PokerStars has been running strong in New Jersey since 2016, but it hasn’t reached the size Pennsylvania has. A shared player pool could really kick things up a notch though. We’ll see if success in Pennsylvania leads to PokerStars in more states.
Legal Online Poker in the USA
Six states have legalized online poker. Out of those, four currently have sites up-and-running. Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Two more states legalized online poker but are still working on setting things up. West Virginia, legalized online poker in 2019. But online poker sites there aren’t expected to launch until 2021. The same goes for Michigan.
When it comes to PokerStars, only two states have Poker Stars software. PokerStars gained approval to operate in New Jersey in 2015. Their site, pokerstarsnj.com, went live on March 21, 2016. Of course, you have physically located in New Jersey to play. It’s play money for all other states. PokerStars NJ also offers casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette and more.
PokerStars then launched in Pennsylvania in late 2019. They kicked things off with the Pennsylvania Championship of Online Poker that drew thousands of players and culminated in a $300 buy-in main event with a $100,000-guaranteed prize pool.
If you’re not in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, PokerStars could still come to your state further down the line. If you want to play today though, there are still plenty of great alternatives.
Best PokerStars Alternatives for US Players
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We recommend Ignition Poker as the best alternative. A lot of people prefer it to non-state run sites since they accept players from all 50 states. Bovada, BetOnline, SportsBetting, ACR, Black Chip Poker and Intertops also rank highly. As state by state rollouts occur, we will continue to keep you updated on when PokerStars makes it to your state.
Can You Play PokerStars in the USA?
Real money online poker play on PokerStars is only available if you are physically in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. PokerStars will be in more US states soon though. West Virginia and Michigan are the current front-runners to join the party.
PokerStars, which also owns Full Tilt Poker, is currently owned by The Stars Group, formerly called Amaya Gaming Group and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. PokerStars is partnered with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, and their main competition in the state is WSOP/888 and Borgata/PartyPoker. In Pennsylvania, they teamed up with FoxBet, which is the real-money wagering provided by FOX Sports.
While there’s online poker Delaware and Nevada, but PokerStars has yet to get a license in either state. If you do not live in either New Jersey or Pennsylvania, we recommend Ignition Poker or Betonline.ag. They are safe and trusted sites that service all 50 states. Check out our reviews for a comprehensive look at how each online poker site. We detail the most important factors to look at when picking an online poker room.
Make no mistake. Online poker is legal in the USA. It’s 100% legal for you to play. Don’t have to worry about getting arrested.
How Many Players on Pokerstars?
PokerStars remains the largest poker site on the internet with tens of thousands of players logging in weekly. PokerStars traffic is far superior to any other poker website and it controls over 50% of the market.
Hollywood casino warren ohio phone number. The sale of PokerStars has now changed the game in the US market. It is a prerequisite for any online casino that operates with a US license to also have or be partners with a US operated “land-based” casino. PokerStars partnered with Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ. Unfortunately, PokerStars has struggled with its NJ-based traffic. On the bright side, Pennsylvania has been a traffic bonanza for PokerStars since it launched in late 2019.
PokerStars also made a massive deal with gigantic casino conglomerate Eldorado Resorts, which operates properties across 12 different states. The US government has to be pleased that PokerStars is playing ball and infusing the US market with plenty of cash.
When Will PokerStars Return to the USA?
It kind of already is. If you’re in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, just download the software. If you’re in another state, then you’ll have to wait. Regulated online poker has been moving pretty slow. Even then, some states that have legalized it haven’t let PokerStars in. That’s because they have another obstacle. Some important gaming groups in the USA see the brand as a bad actor because it operated without a license in the USA for years.
The brand is still incredibly popular around the world though. The site also paid over an estimated $850 million in fines because of Black Friday. It might take some time, but PokerStars will make its way back to the USA on a broader scale.
Good Faith Will Not Prevail?
While some US states have been reluctant to allow PokerStars back, it should be noted that the company bailed out tens of thousands of American poker players. Full Tilt famously didn’t have funds on hand to repay its players after Black Friday. PokerStars then bought Full Tilt and repaid all its players for millions and millions of dollars.
PokerStars was simply a better-run business and separated their player accounts from operating expenses. It was, therefore, an easy task for PokerStars to immediately pay back its players after they were forced out of the US market in 2011. PokerStars was also better at becoming a global poker business. Most of its player traffic came from outside the USA.
This act of good faith was on top of the hundreds of millions they paid out in penalties to US officials. It was an example of responsible gaming. As more and more casinos based in the USA secure their licenses to operate, PokerStars will likely be entering several of these state-regulated markets.
When Will I Be Able to Play PokerStars in my State?
We have in-depth real money online poker guides for many of the US states that are updated whenever there are changes to state legislation. Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut guide to when online poker will be legalized in each US state. For now, it appears that progress will only occur at the state level and a federal online poker bill is still just a pipe dream.
Some states have a higher chance of legalizing and regulating online poker in the near future, however. We keep close track of some of the more progressive states and try to give our readers some insight into which states could be closing in on legalization. You can take a deeper dive into your states specific laws in regards to PokerStars and all online poker laws with our state-by-state guides.
Online Poker USA Law State-by-State Guides
You can refer to the legal status of online poker in every US state here:
Alabama – Arizona – Arkansas – California – Colorado – Connecticut – Georgia – Idaho – Iowa – Kansas – Maine – Maryland – Massachusetts – Michigan – Minnesota – Mississippi – Montana – Nebraska – New Hampshire – New Mexico – North Carolina – North Dakota – Ohio – Oklahoma – Pennsylvania – Rhode Island – South Carolina – Tennessee – Vermont – West Virginia – Wyoming
Alabama – Arizona – Arkansas – California – Colorado – Connecticut – Georgia – Idaho – Iowa – Kansas – Maine – Maryland – Massachusetts – Michigan – Minnesota – Mississippi – Montana – Nebraska – New Hampshire – New Mexico – North Carolina – North Dakota – Ohio – Oklahoma – Pennsylvania – Rhode Island – South Carolina – Tennessee – Vermont – West Virginia – Wyoming
The Entire History of PokerStars in the USA
PokerStars has a fascinating history in the online poker industry with a substantial portion of it taking place in the USA.
2000s
- Now a billion-dollar, publicly-traded company, PokerStars had rather humble beginnings.
- It began in the early 2000s as a Costa Rican company called Rational Enterprises that was majority-owned by Israeli-Canadian Isai Scheinberg.
- PokerStars was just one of many of the early real-money online poker operators including PartyPoker, Pacific Poker (Now 888poker) and Tropical Poker.
2003 – 2006
- PokerStars’ claim to fame came in 2003 when an accountant named Chris Moneymaker won the WSOP Main Event 2003-2006 Las Vegas after qualifying on the site.
- Moneymaker was the first player to win the Main Event after qualifying online and helped create the so-called “poker boom” of the early 2000s.
- PokerStars quickly became a favorite amongst poker players for its secure deposits, reliable support team and booming cash games.
2006 – 2011
- The poker boom was stifled early on when the US government passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 that led to publicly-traded companies like PartyPoker getting forced to leave the US market altogether.
- UIGEA had the opposite effect on PokerStars because it was a privately-held company, it remained in the US market and quickly took the reins as the most popular online poker site in the world.
2011 – 2016
- The gravy train came to an end in 2011 when the Department of Justice seized the .com addresses of three online poker sites: PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute/UltimateBet.
- Online poker players referred to the day as “Black Friday”. It would be years before PokerStars would be allowed to re-enter the US market.
2016 – Today
- PokerStars continued to flourish on the international market and was purchased by Amaya Gaming in a massive $4.9 billion deal in 2014. Subsequently the first officially licensed online poker sites in the USA start to pop up in 2014.
- New Jersey became the first state to allow PokerStars back in 2016.
- In late 2019 Pennsylvania follows suit and allows PokerStars to officially open its doors to players in the state.
Unfortunately, many other states remain a pipe dream and it will likely be decades before PokerStars is allowed to operate in the entirety of the USA.