As PokerStars’ merger with FanDuel in North America edges closer, PokerStars has rolled out a new initiative called “The Founders Table.”

This initiative comes with a membership offer that gives players a range of benefits and perks, some of which are already available even before the new poker client, “PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel”, goes live.

One of the main goals behind the initiative is to give players the option to retain their username on PokerStars once the new platform launches.

The Founders Table membership is now available to players in the US (New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania) as well as Ontario.

To access the membership, players must have an account on PokerStars US or PokerStars Ontario. Once enrolled, the benefits include:

  • Early username selection
  • Founders Table Launch Week $15K Freeroll
  • Founders Table player badge
  • Access to special avatars and throwables
  • Access to a new Founders Table Discord, where the operator will share exclusive updates on promos, schedules, and more

These perks aren’t just a one-time offering but will be available throughout the year through Founders-only Invitational tournaments. However, the membership window itself will only be open for a limited time.

PokerStars x FanDuel Merger Details

The move comes as PokerStars gets closer to integrating with its sister brand, FanDuel, one of the biggest sportsbook operators in the US. Earlier this month, the company confirmed a major change affecting its US and Ontario networks. The long-discussed integration with FanDuel is now official, with the transition to the new platform expected soon, although no exact dates have been announced.

As part of the plan, PokerStars Pennsylvania players will finally join the operator’s shared liquidity network, which currently connects New Jersey and Michigan. Once that happens, players from all three states will compete on the same network for the first time, boosting tournament field sizes and improving cash game liquidity across the regulated US online poker market.

Even more notable is the launch of a completely new poker platform tied directly to the FanDuel ecosystem. The product will be branded as “PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel.” Under this setup, the existing PokerStars client used in the US and Ontario will be retired. Players will instead access poker through a new poker platform that combines FanDuel’s casino offerings, and offers a single wallet system that will also include its sportsbook.

Because this will be a new platform, players will need to create a fresh account once it goes live, including choosing a new username. Those who already have a FanDuel account for sportsbook or casino won’t be able to reuse the same username for poker.

PokerStars is aware that usernames carry value for many players, which is why it is offering them a chance to retain their existing screen names on the new client. At the same time, players who prefer a fresh start will still have the option to pick a new username.

When is PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel Launching?

So, when will the merger happen? For now, PokerStars hasn’t shared an official timeline, but an announcement could come at any moment. A launch sometime in April seems likely, as the operator is probably waiting on final regulatory approvals, and the rollout could be just days away.

There are already signs that the transition is close. PokerStars has started winding down its Pennsylvania client, removing some daily flagship tournaments such as Battle Royale and Nightly Stars from the Pennsylvania client, even though these still run on the New Jersey–Michigan shared liquidity network.

“We’re starting to wind down the US clients, so we will be removing tournaments in the coming days, yes,” a PokerStars representative wrote on Discord.

There’s also a strong chance the merger will roll out in phases, with the US network going live first, followed by Ontario at a later stage.

Once the new platform is live, it will mark a major milestone not just for PokerStars, but for the whole regulated US online poker and Ontario online poker markets. FanDuel is a massive brand in the US with access to multiple regulated states, including West Virginia and Connecticut. Integrating PokerStars into that ecosystem opens up immediate cross-sell opportunities, funneling sportsbook and casino players into poker.