PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel Goes Live, Merges US Player Pools and Rolls Out New Platform

The wait is over. The new PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel platform is now live, marking one of the most significant moments in the history of regulated online poker in the United States.

Both new and existing PokerStars players in Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey need to sign up and create a new account because there is no account migration. All players, including those who previously had an account on PokerStars US, can take advantage of a new 100% deposit deposit bonus up to $1000 plus $30 in free tickets.

The platform went live this morning at 8 AM ET, bringing, FanDuel Poker onto the same platform as one of the country’s largest sportsbooks and casino operators. Players can now access all three products through a single wallet.

For the first time, PokerStars players from New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania are sharing the same tables. The launch finally brings Pennsylvania into the existing NJ-MI network, leading to larger prize pools, better game selection, and putting the operator back in line with its competitors.

The same merger will also roll out for players in Ontario, though at a later stage.

Despite being new software, the platform offers a full lineup of games that PokerStars players in the US are already familiar with. This includes Spin & Gos, cash games, tournaments, and the fast-fold format Zoom Poker. Both NLHE and PLO are available, along with a range of less common formats such as mixed games and Stud.

As previously shown in the teaser, the new software also introduces features that weren’t available on the legacy client, most notably a built-in HUD. That makes it only the second operator in the regulated US online poker market, after BetRivers Poker, to offer this functionality. It also brings a wider range of games and stakes.

The PokerStars US legacy software has now been shut down in the US, although accounts will remain accessible for the rest of the month to allow players to withdraw funds. Players are now moved to a new platform and a new client. While the table design will feel familiar, the transition effectively resets everything. All players must create a new poker account, including choosing a new username.

New Accounts, Fresh Welcome Offers

That reset comes with one immediate upside, new welcome offers for everyone. Regardless of whether a player previously had a FanDuel account, poker players are eligible for a fresh set of welcome promotions.

The headline offer is a 100% deposit bonus of up to $1,000. To qualify, players must create a new account and make their first poker deposit of at least $10.

In addition to the deposit bonus, players are also being offered free tournament tickets. This includes two $5 Spin & Go tickets, available to all players who opt in to the promotion. Both tickets can be used for any $5 Spin & Go and expire seven days after being issued.

Players will also receive a $20 Sunday Million satellite ticket. This is also available to all players with opt-in required, and can be used for any $20 direct or step satellite into the Sunday Million scheduled for April 12.

In total, players are getting $30 in free tickets simply for creating an account, on top of the deposit bonus.

Sunday Million Returns, No Sweat Series

Beyond the welcome offers, PokerStars is also rolling out a series of promotions to mark the launch.

The Sunday Million, as previously revealed, is returning to the US market. The first edition will take place on April 12 and will feature two tournaments running on the same day with combined guarantees of $1 million. This includes a $100 buy-in event with a $500,000 guarantee, the largest at that price point, along with a $1,000 buy-in event carrying the same guarantee.

As mentioned above, every new player will receive a $20 satellite ticket, giving them a chance to qualify for either of these events.

“The best poker moments come when the fields are big and the competition is strong,” said PokerStars ambassador Jason Koon. “Putting a million dollars in guarantees across two tournaments makes Sunday, April 12 a must-play.”

There’s more lined up as well. To help drive early traffic, the operator is running a No Sweat Series from April 6 to 12, featuring $150,000 in prize money. As the name suggests, there is no buy-in, with the series operating as a freeroll. However, details on how players can qualify for entry have not yet been revealed.

Silent Road to a Reset

It marks the end of a quiet stretch for PokerStars in the US.

For much of the past 12 months, the operator had stepped away from the spotlight, with limited updates and no major tournament series, even as competitors continued to push forward. At the time, it raised questions about PokerStars’ position in an increasingly competitive market, though at pokerfuse, we had been pointing to signs suggesting that a merger with FanDuel was in the works.

Looking back, that period now appears far more intentional. The focus had shifted behind the scenes, with efforts directed toward a full transition rather than smaller updates. With PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel now live, that phase is over, bringing a complete reset across the platform, player pools, and overall experience.

Now, PokerStars returns with a combined player base and closer ties to the FanDuel platform. And in a US market that has only become more competitive over the past year, this launch is likely to turn up the pressure across the board.