PokerStars
PokerStars is a global online poker and casino gaming platform serving recreational and professional players across regulated markets, operating as a wholly-owned brand of Flutter Entertainment plc and distributed in North America through FanDuel.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersDouglas
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What PokerStars does
PokerStars is a global online poker and casino gaming platform founded in 2001 and headquartered in Douglas, Isle of Man, operating as a wholly-owned brand of Flutter Entertainment plc. The platform offers multi-table tournaments, cash games, sit-and-go events, casino games, live dealer experiences, and a virtual reality poker product, serving recreational and professional online poker players and casino gamers across regulated markets including the US (Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania), Ontario (Canada), the UK, and India. The US and Ontario operations were consolidated in 2026 under a strategic partnership with FanDuel (launched April 1, 2026), rebranded as 'PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel', merging player liquidity across three US states to form one of the largest regulated online poker networks in North America.
The platform's underlying technology centers on multi-state player pooling under the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, enabling shared liquidity pools that support larger guaranteed tournaments than single-state operators can field. Proprietary product features include the Ignite Series festival ($5M guarantee across 90 events), the Sunday Million flagship weekly tournament ($500K guarantee), PokerStars VR (immersive real-money play), and the PokerStars Rewards tiered loyalty program. Tournament buy-ins and entry fees are the primary revenue stream, supplemented by casino gaming revenue.
PokerStars generates revenue through transaction-based tournament entry fees, casino gaming, and recurring loyalty program economics. The go-to-market model is direct-to-consumer via dedicated mobile apps and desktop software, with channel partnership through FanDuel in regulated North American markets and continued independent international operations under Flutter Entertainment's portfolio. Customer segments are horizontal — recreational and professional poker players, online casino gamers, and live casino enthusiasts. The business is currently in a restructuring phase following the 2026 FanDuel consolidation, the loss of its Michigan tribal license to bet365, and the forced discontinuation of real-money play in India under the 2025 Online Gaming Act.
PokerStars firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PokerStars
- Legal name
- PokerStars
- Website
- https://pokerstars.in
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- PokerStars is a global online poker and casino gaming platform serving recreational and professional players across regulated markets, operating as a wholly-owned brand of Flutter Entertainment plc and distributed in North America through FanDuel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PokerStars industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Poker and Casino Gaming
- NAICS
- Gambling Industries (7132), Other Gambling Industries (713290)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Online Poker Operators (Real-Money) (MPAEAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Poker Networks, Aggregators & White-Label Platforms (MPAEAEAI), Online Poker Casinos (Casino + Poker Rooms) (MPAEABAC)
Keywords
Where PokerStars is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Douglas
Markets served
PokerStars business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Tournament Entry Fees: PokerStars generates revenue primarily through tournament buy-ins and entry fees, with events ranging from €1,100 NLHE Single Re-Entry tournaments to $300 Ignite Series main events, taking a portion of each prize pool.
- Casino and Poker Rewards Program: The PokerStars Rewards loyalty program drives player retention through tiered point systems and VIP benefits, with companies focused on loyalty reportedly growing revenue 2.5 times faster than competitors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | European Poker Tour Events - €1,100 NLHE Single Re-Entry |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Hyper Turbo Freezeout - €2,100 |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Ignite Series Main Event - $300 buy-in |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
PokerStars product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PokerStars operates an online poker and casino gaming platform that offers multi-table tournaments, cash games, sit-and-go events, and live dealer casino games. The platform generates revenue primarily through tournament buy-ins and entry fees (rake), and supports a tiered loyalty rewards program for player retention. In the US and Ontario it is now delivered exclusively through FanDuel's ecosystem under the 'PokerStars on FanDuel' brand.
Product overview
PokerStars operates as a multi-product online gaming platform offering online poker (its flagship), casino games, and virtual reality poker. The portfolio includes the core PokerStars Online Poker Platform, the FanDuel-partnered 'PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel' sub-brand, the Ignite Series tournament festival, the Sunday Million flagship weekly tournament, PokerStars VR for immersive play, PokerStars Casino with live dealer offerings, and the PokerStars Rewards loyalty program. Following its 2026 US integration with FanDuel, PokerStars now delivers poker through dedicated apps across Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania with consolidated player liquidity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PokerStars Rewards: Loyalty and VIP rewards program for poker and casino players
Products and services
- PokerStars Online Poker Platform Flagship online poker platform offering multi-table tournaments, cash games, and sit-and-go events across regulated markets including the US (Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) and Ontario, Canada via the FanDuel partnership, as well as international markets.
- PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel Rebranded poker offering launched April 2026 through the FanDuel partnership, combining PokerStars' poker expertise with FanDuel's scale; available via dedicated app and desktop site across Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania with shared player liquidity.
- PokerStars Ignite Series Major online tournament festival featuring 90 events with $5 million total guarantee and a $500,000 main event for a $300 buy-in, leveraging multi-state player pooling.
- PokerStars Sunday Million Flagship weekly tournament with $500,000 guaranteed prize pool, featured as dual events under the FanDuel partnership offering.
- PokerStars VR Virtual reality poker platform enabling immersive real-money play in regulated markets including New Jersey and Michigan.
- PokerStars Casino Online casino offering including live dealer blackjack streams powered by technology providers such as Evolution Gaming.
- PokerStars Rewards Loyalty and VIP program with tier structures and point systems designed to drive player retention and lifetime value.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ontario poker revenue of $6.9 million in March 2026
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use PokerStars
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
PokerStars technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
PokerStars partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- bet365minorBet365 entered the Michigan market by acquiring PokerStars' license through partnership with Odawa tribal authorities, approved by the Michigan Gaming Control Board on April 17, 2026.
- Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa IndianscoreThe Odawa tribal authorities partnered with bet365 to replace PokerStars as the internet gaming and sports betting platform provider in Michigan. The Michigan Gaming Control Board approved Hillside Michigan LLC as the new platform provider for the Odawa tribe, succeeding PokerStars' previous licensing arrangement.
- FanDuelflagshipFanDuel launched the 'PokerStars exclusively on FanDuel' platform on April 1, 2026, integrating PokerStars' US online poker and casino operations into FanDuel's ecosystem. The partnership creates a shared player network across Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, merging player liquidity to form one of the largest regulated online poker networks in North America. PokerStars' poker expertise combines with FanDuel's market scale under Flutter Entertainment's multi-brand strategy, with expansion plans for Ontario, Canada later in 2026.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PokerStars competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BetMGM Poker: BetMGM Poker is a US online poker operator leveraging MGM Resorts and Entain's network, competing head-to-head in the same multi-state shared liquidity pools (MI/NJ/PA) as PokerStars.
- GGPoker: GGPoker is one of the largest global real-money online poker operators, directly competing with PokerStars for international players and tournament series traffic.
- partypoker: partypoker is a long-standing direct online poker competitor, now operating primarily through BetMGM in the US, and against PokerStars internationally.
- 888poker: 888poker is a global online poker operator that powers the WSOP brand in the US, competing with PokerStars across European and international markets.
- Unibet Poker: Unibet Poker (Kindred Group) is a European online poker operator competing in shared-liquidity markets and international regulated jurisdictions.
- WSOP Online: WSOP Online (Caesars Digital / 888poker network) is a direct US online poker competitor with shared liquidity and large guaranteed tournament series like the bracelet series.
- Americas Cardroom (ACR Poker): Americas Cardroom is a direct online poker competitor highlighted in PokerStars' own ecosystem data as a hosting platform for high-stakes professional players.
- bet365 Poker: bet365 Poker entered the Michigan market in April 2026 by replacing PokerStars' license through the Odawa tribal partnership, making it a direct US online poker competitor.
Broad incumbents
- FanDuel: FanDuel is PokerStars' North American distribution platform within Flutter Entertainment; it operates a broader sportsbook and casino portfolio while distributing the PokerStars product.
- Caesars Digital: Caesars Digital is the parent of WSOP Online, operating a broader casino and sports betting portfolio while running the WSOP online poker product that competes with PokerStars.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PokerStars social profiles
Digital presencePokerStars financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PokerStars leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
PokerStars funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PokerStars M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PokerStars
What does PokerStars do?
PokerStars operates an online poker and casino gaming platform that offers multi-table tournaments, cash games, sit-and-go events, and live dealer casino games. The platform generates revenue primarily through tournament buy-ins and entry fees (rake), and supports a tiered loyalty rewards program for player retention. In the US and Ontario it is now delivered exclusively through FanDuel's ecosystem under the 'PokerStars on FanDuel' brand.
Is PokerStars a public or private company?
PokerStars is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was PokerStars founded?
PokerStars was founded in 2001. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is PokerStars based?
PokerStars is headquartered in Douglas.
How does PokerStars make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tournament Entry Fees are the primary driver. The others are casino and Poker Rewards Program.
Who are PokerStars's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BetMGM Poker, GGPoker, partypoker, 888poker, Unibet Poker, WSOP Online, Americas Cardroom (ACR Poker) and bet365 Poker. Broad incumbents are FanDuel and Caesars Digital.
Does PokerStars have an API?
No public API is recorded for PokerStars.
What industry is PokerStars in?
PokerStars's product category is Online Poker and Casino Gaming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAEAEAC, Online Poker Operators (Real-Money), with a secondary code of MPAEAEAI, Poker Networks, Aggregators & White-Label Platforms. Its NAICS code is 7132 and its SIC code is 7990.