The long-anticipated merger of PokerStars and FanDuel is now official and it brings with it the end of PokerStars’ poker platform in the US and Ontario.
In the coming weeks, PokerStars US will migrate to a new poker client operating under the banner PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel. New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania will finally share a single player pool, uniting all three states on one network. PokerStars Ontario will also transition to the new platform, though its market will remain ring-fenced, with no shared liquidity alongside its US online poker counterparts.
For players, this marks the retirement of the PokerStars software they have used for years. Once the transition is complete, the current client will no longer operate in these markets. A new account within the FanDuel platform will be required to access the network.
For now, nothing changes. Games continue as scheduled, tournaments run as normal, and there is no immediate disruption to gameplay.
What the New Poker Software Reveals So Far
PokerStars has not yet released a full product breakdown, but a teaser video embedded on the new PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel Info Hub offers the first glimpse of what’s coming.
The preview shows a platform that keeps the familiar PokerStars-style table design that players recognize. The main game formats will remain available, including Spin & Go, multi-table tournaments, and cash games. Tournament brands appear to carry over as well, maintaining familiar headline events, even as the lobby design itself is updated.
At the same time, the footage hints at additions not previously available on PokerStars US or PokerStars Ontario. Most notably, the video appears to display a built-in HUD integrated directly into the tables. In the regulated US market, only BetRivers Poker currently offers an in-client HUD. Unlike BetRivers Poker, however, the new PokerStars platform is expected to continue allowing third-party HUD tools, as confirmed by a PokerStars representative on US Poker Discord.
The client is also positioned to support larger headline events. Branding within the teaser strongly suggests that the Sunday Million could make its regulated US debut with a $1 million guarantee. The COOP festival series is likewise expected to return with increased prize pools, supported by the expanded liquidity of a three-state network.
Zoom, PokerStars’ fast-fold cash game format, could also be deployed in the US once sufficient liquidity is in place, as seen in the video. The format has not been available previously, largely due to player pool limitations. With Pennsylvania joining New Jersey and Michigan, that constraint may ease.
Mixed games are confirmed to be part of the new platform. A PokerStars representative stated on the US Poker Discord that mixed formats will be supported, though specific variants have not yet been detailed.
Cash game limits are expected to expand as well, including the introduction of higher stakes. This was also confirmed by PokerStars staff in Discord discussions. One open question remains around screen names, whether players will retain existing aliases or be required to create new ones under the FanDuel system. The company has indicated that further clarification will follow next week.
Until the switchover occurs, the existing PokerStars client remains fully operational. Players can continue competing in the same tournaments and cash games without interruption.
A PokerStars reply to a player’s query confirms that their current PokerStars accounts will remain accessible until April 30, 2026, allowing continued access to balances, transaction histories, and account records until that date.
Single Wallet, Promotions, and Timeline
The launch of the new poker client is tied to a broader integration of sports betting, casino, and poker under a single FanDuel account. All verticals will operate through one wallet, meaning players can use the same bankroll to enter poker tournaments, place sportsbook wagers, or play casino games.
To encourage early adoption, PokerStars and FanDuel have introduced a “One Sign Up: Double the Bonus” campaign. Framed as a limited-time “Now and Later” offer, players who create a FanDuel Casino account ahead of the poker launch are eligible for 500 Bonus Spins and up to $1,000 back in casino bonuses. Once poker launches, those same users will receive a separate poker welcome package.
There are eligibility implications as well. PokerStars has confirmed that individuals who are self-excluded from FanDuel or restricted from its casino platform will not be able to access the new poker client. Account status within the FanDuel system will determine access across all products.
An exact launch date has not been published. However, changes to rewards and casino features point to a near-term rollout. PokerStars US Rewards will close on March 13, and Casino Progressive Jackpots will be removed on April 1. In Ontario, the Rewards end date has not yet been set, while Progressive Jackpots are scheduled to be withdrawn on May 5. The sequencing suggests the US transition will likely precede Ontario’s.
More concrete details are expected in the coming days. What is already clear is that this is not a cosmetic update. A new client, a merged three-state player pool, and deeper integration with FanDuel will redefine how PokerStars operates in North America and how players experience it.
