PokerStars Casino at a Glance
- Top highlights: Alluring exclusive games; part of bigger gambling empire
- VIP or loyalty programme: Yes
- Other offerings: Poker; bingo; sports betting
About PokerStars Casino
Among a now pretty crowded market of online gambling sites, PokerStars is one of the most famous and longest-lived at all – indeed, it has been around since September 2001, which is practically ancient history in this industry. Most people, however, think of it as an online poker cardroom, rather than necessarily giving much thought to its online casino arm.
PokerStars used to be part of The Stars Group, which was then sold to the Irish conglomerate, Flutter Entertainment, in May 2020.
So, if you sign up here, could you get as much enjoyment out of the casino part of the site as you do the much better-known poker one? That’s what this review sets out to determine.
Promotions
Given how much more widely recognised PokerStars is as a poker portal than it is as somewhere to play casino games, you might imagine that its range of promos for casino enthusiasts would be a little… underwhelming.
However, at the time of our visit for this review, that was far from the case, with the likes of the following on offer from the casino section of the site:
- Offers of free spins
- Cash prize draws
- Daily casino-specific promos
- An intriguing rewards scheme
It’s important to point out that when it comes to any online casino site, the promotions and bonuses on offer are liable to change over time. So, by the time you read this and register an account at PokerStars Casino, the exact promo offerings may differ from those outlined above.
Range of Casino Games
Whether or not the promos a given casino site offers are a big deal to you, the games almost certainly will be. And the great news is that PokerStars Casino gives its players a lot of online gaming options, including – but not restricted to – the following:
- Slot games such as Snakes & Ladders Mega Dice and Aztec Gold Megaways
- Casino ‘races’ allowing for competition with other players
- Live casino games encompassing the best in blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more
- Card and table games such as Classic Blackjack and High Roller Roulette
- ‘Instant win’ titles ranging from 25 Card Cash and Football Frenzy to Grabba Dabba Dough and Deal or No Deal: What’s in Your Box Scratchcard
The amount of choice is truly formidable, and it’s interesting to note that this part of the site even includes a few poker titles such as Deuces & Joker and Aces & Faces.
Slots Section
Even if you were to only ever play slots games at PokerStars Casino, you would still be unlikely to get bored anytime soon.
Whether you’re in the mood for a slots game that is fairly well-known in general, such as Starburst or Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, or you like the idea of taking on a branded jackpot like Top Cat Most Wanted or Rick and Morty, there will almost certainly be something to keep you nicely stimulated here.
We are also fans of the well-stocked section of the site dedicated to exclusive slots, which at the time of our visit for this review, encompassed interesting options like Desert Riches Hold ‘N’ Link, Tomb of Ra Classic, and Stars Classic Slot.
Other Offerings
We briefly mentioned the casino ‘races’ above, and they’re basically contests giving you the chance to take on other players as you try to accumulate enough points to top the leader board.
Or what about a spot of bingo here? Yes, that’s also covered at PokerStars Casino, in games such as Viking Runecraft Bingo and Rainforest Magic Bingo.
Software and Graphics
With PokerStars having been around in some shape or form for such a long time, you would have probably imagined that the site operators would have had plenty of time to get the site design ‘just right’ by now. And the great news is that the site does, indeed, seem to have had a lot of work done on it to help ensure the all-round experience is slick and intuitive.
Not only is the site understated and prestigious-looking in both its desktop and smartphone-optimised variants, but if you are interested in playing here on mobile, you also have the option of downloading a dedicated PokerStars Casino app.
As for the actual games, they are provided by not just one or two, but a broad range of software developers such as Microgaming, Playtech, Quickspin, and Red Tiger Gaming. The games here are carefully selected to help ensure the player experiences sophisticated, crisp graphics and snappy gameplay that is easy to get to grips with.
Extra Value
The obvious source of ‘extra value’ on the PokerStars site, is surely the fact that it is one of the longest-established and most ‘complete’ online gambling destinations out there, with dedicated poker as well as sports betting arms.
If, then, you are seeking out an online casino portal with flexibility for you to intensify your poker interests at a later stage, you would struggle to make a better choice of site than this one.
Loyalty or VIP Programme
Playing real money across the site’s games will enable you to earn reward points, with the exact amount you collect depending on what games you play.
As you will see when you browse the site, PokerStars Casino has a very well-developed loyalty offering, with players able to gradually fill their progress bars and unlock ‘Chests’ that come complete with personalised rewards. And in those Chests, one of the rewards you can win is StarCoin, which can in turn be redeemed for the likes of cash and bonuses.
Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
The range of accepted payment methods that you can choose from as a player at PokerStars Casino is about as vast as you would expect, given how long this brand has been catering to the needs and preferences of online gamblers. We also love that the site is so informative on exactly how these various methods work, which means you are unlikely to become too stuck or frustrated.
| Payment Method | Fee | Processing Time | Limit Per Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Debit | £0 | Instant | |
| Mastercard Debit | £0 | Instant | |
| Apple Pay | £0 | Instant | |
| Maestro Card | £0 | Instant | |
| Local Bank Transfer | £0 | Up to 4 business days | |
| PayPal | £0 | Instant | |
| Skrill | £0 | Instant | |
| Skrill 1-tap | £0 | Instant | |
| MuchBetter | £0 | Instant | |
| Neteller | £0 | Instant | |
| My paysafecard | Varies | Instant | Maximum €250 |
| Neosurf | £0 | Instant | |
| PokerStarsTopUp | £0 | Instant | £10-£250 |
| Rapid Transfer | £0 | Instant | |
| Google Pay | £0 | Instant | |
| Trustly | £0 | 1 to 2 business days |
*Current as of May 2022; check PokerStars Casino’s website for updates
Payout Policy
As is a standard thing for online gambling sites these days for legal and regulatory reasons, when you request a withdrawal at PokerStars Casino, you can expect it to be processed back to the method(s) that you originally used when putting down a deposit.
| Withdrawal Method | Fee | Processing Time | Limit Per Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Debit | £ | Up to 13 business days | |
| Mastercard Debit | £ | Up to 13 business days | |
| Apple Pay | £ | Up to 13 business days | |
| Direct Bank Transfer | £0 | 6 to 8 business days | Minimum $10 |
| Wire Transfer | £0 | 6 to 8 business days | |
| PayPal | £0 | Up to an hour | |
| Skrill | £0 | Up to 3 business days | |
| Skrill 1-tap | £0 | Up to 3 business days | |
| MuchBetter | £ | Instant | Minimum $1 |
| Neteller | £ | Up to 3 business days | |
| Rapid Transfer | £0 | ||
| Google Pay | £ | Up to 13 business days |
*Current as of May 2022; check PokerStars Casino’s website for updates
Customer Support
Finding sources of information and support with any of a wide range of issues as a user of PokerStars Casino, is (almost) as straightforward as clicking the ‘Help’ link at the top of the page, and then just entering your query into the search bar that appears. If you are on the mobile-optimised version of the site, you can find the ‘Help’ link via the ‘hamburger’ menu icon in the top left-hand corner.
And when you do get to the support database, you will be able to easily browse through sections answering the most common questions in relation to user accounts, deposits, withdrawals, technical issues, and other key topics. In the relatively unlikely event that your query isn’t answered anywhere here, you will be able to seek out further help via a ‘live chat’ facility or contact form.
Who Can Play?
The site’s terms of use make clear that PokerStars Casino is aimed at people who wish to play its games while physically located in Great Britain, even if they aren’t a British citizen or resident.
The site also allows for people signing up who have an address in Great Britain, but who might be interested in playing from outside the country. If the latter describes you, though, you will need to ensure your activities comply with the law of whatever jurisdiction you are in, bearing in mind that not all parts of the world legally allow for online gambling.
Licence
The PokerStars Casino site is subject to the licensing and regulation of the UK Gambling Commission, under the name of Stars Interactive Limited.
Bottom Line
PokerStars already has a ‘big’ name in online gambling, and it has big appeal to match, even if you literally never play a poker game here.
The online casino arm of this renowned brand offers plentiful and varied gaming opportunities – including eye-catching exclusive games and casino ‘races’ – and the smartphone-optimised version of the site feels as slick and natural as the desktop one. We love the well-developed rewards scheme, too.
Register now at PokerStars Casino, and you can expect to be kept well-occupied here as an online casino and slots enthusiast for a long time to come.
Author
Gavin Lenaghan
Gavin writes on a wide range of subjects, including articles and reviews about online casinos, slots, bingo, poker, and sportsbooks. He has considerable expertise in the games, customer service, and other aspects of today’s leading gambling and betting portals.
