One of many greatest mergers within the regulated US and Ontario on-line poker markets is about to happen.
The long-rumored integration between PokerStars and FanDuel, the most important US sportsbook operator, is lastly occurring. When the transition is full, poker, on line casino, and sportsbook merchandise will all be obtainable utilizing a single pockets.
The transfer will even lastly result in the long-awaited merger of PokerStars Pennsylvania with the operator’s present PokerStars US community comprised of New Jersey and Michigan participant swimming pools, permitting gamers from all three states to compete collectively on the similar tables.
Extra importantly, PokerStars’ legacy software program will likely be retired within the US and Ontario. Gamers will as a substitute be moved to a brand new poker shopper, branded PokerStars Solely on FanDuel. No official date has been introduced for the transition, however the operator is predicted to disclose launch particulars someday within the coming weeks.
Because the anticipated launch approaches, extra info has begun to floor about what gamers can anticipate.
It has now been confirmed that gamers might want to create a brand new account as soon as the brand new platform goes reside, together with selecting a brand new username. Gamers who have already got a FanDuel account for sportsbook or on line casino merchandise won’t be able to make use of the identical username for the poker shopper.
Nonetheless, present FanDuel clients will nonetheless be eligible to say the brand new poker welcome provide when the platform launches.
The present PokerStars Rewards program will finish at present. Till the brand new platform launches, there will likely be no rewards program in place. Present reward tiers won’t carry over to the brand new shopper, as all the things will reset when gamers transfer to the brand new platform. Participant notes, settings, and different account preferences will even not switch over.
Gamers will nonetheless be capable of entry their present PokerStars accounts till April 30. Throughout that interval, they will proceed to evaluation balances, transaction histories, and account information. After that date, account entry will likely be eliminated and withdrawals will not be attainable. If a participant nonetheless has funds remaining and has not withdrawn them, PokerStars will ship a test to the registered handle.
It has additionally been confirmed that gamers who’re self-excluded from FanDuel or restricted from its on line casino platform won’t be able to entry the brand new poker shopper.
What Else Do We Know?
Maybe the largest change for gamers would be the new poker software program. The long-running PokerStars shopper used within the US and for PokerStars Ontario will not be obtainable, with gamers transitioning to a very new platform.
Whereas detailed details about the software program stays restricted, preview movies obtainable on the PokerStars Solely on FanDuel hub web page provide a primary take a look at the interface.
The gameplay tables seem broadly much like the acquainted PokerStars design, although a number of new options are seen. Probably the most noticeable additions is a built-in HUD built-in instantly into the shopper. Gamers could have the choice to disable the built-in HUD if they like and might nonetheless use third-party monitoring HUDs.
The long-lasting Sunday Million event can also be set to debut within the regulated US market. The weekly occasion has been operating within the PokerStars’ dot-com marketplace for years and is the longest-running event in on-line poker, historically providing a $1 million assured prize pool each Sunday. Beneath the brand new platform, the event will lastly debut for US on-line poker gamers with the identical $1 million assure. Extra particulars are anticipated as soon as the platform goes reside.
PokerStars’ fast-fold poker product, Zoom Poker, can also be anticipated to change into obtainable. Though the present US software program technically helps Zoom, the format has by no means been provided as a result of it requires ample participant liquidity to operate correctly.
With the brand new shared community combining gamers from Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey, the bigger participant pool ought to present the liquidity wanted to help the sport. Preview footage from the brand new shopper seems to indicate Zoom tables, suggesting the function might lastly launch.
Combined video games will even be a part of the brand new platform. A PokerStars consultant confirmed on the US Poker Discord that blended codecs will likely be supported, although the particular variants haven’t but been disclosed.
The operator has additionally confirmed {that a} launch event collection and a number of other main promotional occasions will accompany the platform rollout. Full particulars are anticipated to be introduced shortly earlier than the launch.
To encourage gamers to enroll early, PokerStars and FanDuel have launched a promotion referred to as “One Signal Up: Double the Bonus.” Offered as a limited-time “Now and Later” provide, gamers who create a FanDuel On line casino account earlier than the poker launch will obtain 500 Bonus Spins and as much as $1,000 again in on line casino bonuses. As soon as the poker shopper launches, those self same gamers will obtain a separate poker welcome bundle.
Present timelines additionally counsel that the transition will occur first for US gamers earlier than reaching Ontario.
PokerStars US Rewards will shut at present, whereas On line casino Progressive Jackpots will likely be eliminated on April 1. In Ontario, the Rewards finish date has not but been introduced, although Progressive Jackpots are scheduled to be withdrawn on Might 5.
The staggered timeline strongly means that the US transition will happen first, with Ontario following shortly afterward.
In the meantime, PokerStars is launching the Bounty Builder Collection for Ontario gamers at present. The 11-day pageant options 47 tournaments and a mixed C$750,000 in assured prize swimming pools.
