FanDuel Poker: The Ultimate Player Guide for PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel

FanDuel Poker is finally live in the United States. After years of waiting and speculation, the iGaming giant has come together with the online poker powerhouse to create a new brand: PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel.

The new platform fully replaces PokerStars US and will soon replace PokerStars Ontario. In the United States, PokerStars x FanDuel brings together players from three states, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania and creates opportunities for future expansions.

This is a major development for US online poker. FanDuel is already a dominant force in US sports betting, with market access in numerous states and a massive customer base. Meanwhile, sister company PokerStars US — also owned by Flutter — was one of the most popular poker sites in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

PokerStars Exclusively by FanDuel Key Info

Now that the new app is live, we have access to all the important information. Although some details are still trickling out, we now know the Welcome Offer gives players a 100% First Deposit Match plus $30 worth of tournament tickets.

With the new brand and the new offer comes new software as well. Instead of using its existing PokerStars platform, PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel utilizes the desktop solution and the mobile app powered by iPoker. Although the new app maintains many of the core functionalities and a wide range of game formats and variations, it brings a fresh visual identity.

You Must Have a FanDuel Account

There is no transition procedure in place for existing PokerStars players. Those who don’t have a FanDuel account will need to create one to access the site. Players who already have a FanDuel account can log in with their existing details and simply create their poker alias.

In the runup to the launch, PokerStars launched the Founders Table membership program. Players could enroll into the program and acquire benefits such as early username selection (especially important for those who wanted to ensure they get to keep their current username), access to restricted freerolls, special avatars and throwables, and more.

Signing up to Fan Duel Poker

As explained, with the launch of the new platform, players need to sign up for a new account. If you don’t have a FanDuel account already, your PokerStars US login information will not work.

You can sign up for an account by following these steps:

1. Click here to visit the FanDuel site
2. Click the Register button
3. Fill in your information
4. Confirm your email address
5. You are all set

You’ll be able to use your PokerStars alias as long as it hasn’t been taken already. If somebody has already claimed your preferred username, you won’t be able to reclaim it, and will need to create a new one.

One important piece of information that was confirmed by PokerStars is that players who are under the self-exclusion on FanDuel will not be able to use the poker platform.

Benefits of a FanDuel-PokerStars Integration

Bringing together FanDuel and PokerStars offers several key advantages:

Sports Players Playing Poker

With access to the pool of FanDuel sports bettors, players on PokerStars FanDuel should see considerably softer games. The shared wallet will allow sports players to try out poker with minimal friction, which could make for some pretty juicy games.

The Shared Liquidity Advantage

One of the most compelling reasons for integrating PokerStars and FanDuel is to maximize on shared liquidity opportunities. Currently, the US online poker market is divided into several networks:

• BetRivers Poker: A four-state network, operating in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware and West Virginia
• WSOP Online: A four-state network, operating in Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan
• BetMGM Poker Network: Operating across Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania (including Borgata and PartyPoker skins)
• PokerStars US (shut down on April 1): Operating a shared network between Michigan and New Jersey, with Pennsylvania still segregated

By combining resources and consolidating licensing, PokerStars x FanDuel brings together players from Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and could expand to even more states, especially if it can gain access to Nevada or be an early entrant in Connecticut.

Enhanced Market Access

FanDuel has market access that PokerStars lacks, including Connecticut and West Virginia. This merger could facilitate faster expansion of poker offerings into new states. It might also provide a way into Nevada.

Cross-Promotion Opportunities

There has already been some cross-promotion between the brands, such as FanDuel giving away NAPT Las Vegas prize packages through its Fantasy Sports product. With the new partnership in place, these opportunities increase significantly.

Competitive Positioning

Integrating poker allows FanDuel to match competitors like DraftKings and BetMGM that already offer all three major gambling verticals (sports, casinos, and poker).

PokerStars x FanDuel Poker Tournaments

New FanDuel Poker plans to hit the ground running when it comes to its tournament offering. While more details will come about what the tournament schedule will look like exactly, there are two important pieces of information that are available already.

First of all, the Sunday Million is coming back. To celebrate the launch of the new platform, FanDuel Poker is hosting two Sunday Million tournaments on April 12, each with $500,000 guaranteed. These tournaments will have $109 and $1,100 buy-ins, respectively,.

Additionally, the operator will run its very first No Sweat tournament freeroll series, offering $150,000 in guarantees across the board. The series features a full scope of game types and variations and offers buy-ins to fit every bankroll level.

PokerStars x FanDuel Poker Bonus

The launch of the new poker platform comes with a fresh welcome bonus as well. The poker welcome offer is quite generous and available to all players, regardless of whether they already have a FanDuel account, they have registered before the launch, or if they sign up now that the platform is live.

The FDPoker welcome bonus consists of:

• 100% match of up to $1,000 on the first deposit
• 2x $5 Spin & Go bonus tickets
• A $20 bonus ticket for a Sunday Million satellite

To claim the bonus, players need to manually opt-in for each of the three offers. You can do this after creating your FanDuel Poker account and logging in.

PokerStars x FanDuel Poker Rewards

The launch of the new platform also brings a new rewards program called Dynasty Builder. The loyalty scheme focuses exclusively on the poker side of things, giving player access to rewards such as digital items, tournament tickets, and weekly rakeback.

At the core of the program are two types of missions. Thrill Missions are reoccurring and easier to accomplish, awarding tournament tickets, throwables, and other “cool” features. Grind Missions are volume-based, awarding a percentage of the rake paid back every week. There are 16 Grind Missions available every week, and players can get up to 25% in rakeback.

FanDuel Poker Software

The PokerStars x FanDuel platform is powered by new software. The existing PokerStars software has been retired in favor of a new solution powered by iPoker.

The new app and client retains the familiar visual style, making the transition easier. The operator has also promised that all the popular game formats, including Spin & Gos and various mixed game options, will remain available.

However, players can also look forward to some improvements as well. Based on some screenshots that were shared, it seems like the new client will have a built-in HUD, which should be quite useful to recreational players.

FanDuel Poker History: How We Got Here

Many poker fans are wondering why FanDuel took so long to bring out a poker product, especially since its parent company owns PokerStars. According to reporting from Poker Industry PRO, there were several signs that a major change was on the horizon, and in this section, we bring you a quick history of how PokerStars Exclusively on FanDuel came to be.

Mysterious Delay in Pennsylvania Shared Liquidity

In April 2025, Pennsylvania finally joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). Within days, both BetMGM and WSOP launched shared liquidity networks including Pennsylvania. However, PokerStars has yet to connect its Pennsylvania player pool with its existing Michigan-New Jersey network.

According to Poker Industry PRO, this unexpected delay could be explained by a potential migration of PokerStars under the FanDuel brand. Rather than connecting Pennsylvania only to disconnect it shortly after during a brand migration, the company may be waiting until the FanDuel integration is complete.

The PokerStars-FanDuel Connection

Flutter Entertainment, which owns both PokerStars and FanDuel, appears to be repositioning its poker offerings in the US market. The company has been implementing what it calls a “local hero” strategy that prioritizes strong local brands in key growth markets, with FanDuel being their chosen “hero” for the US market.

As Peter Jackson, Flutter CEO, stated during an Investor Day presentation: “One of the things that Dan [Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Flutter International] talked about in terms of the work we’re doing around the PokerStars business is we do plan to integrate that product capability into FanDuel.”

The $725 Million Write-Down

In January 2024, Flutter made two significant announcements regarding PokerStars:

1. Following the FOX Bet closure, PokerStars US operations were reported under Flutter’s international segment rather than the US division
2. The company wrote down a $725 million impairment of the PokerStars trademark, revaluing it from $1.1 billion to just $368 million

This substantial write-down suggests Flutter has lowered expectations for the PokerStars brand in the US market. It aligns with executives’ statements that PokerStars “is not necessarily a brand we’d want to put a lot of investment behind on a standalone basis, because the returns we’re seeing are better in FanDuel from a casino perspective at the moment.”

The FOX Bet Closure Connection

The potential FanDuel Poker integration follows another significant business change: the closure of FOX Bet in August 2023. FOX Bet was the sports betting component integrated with PokerStars in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Its closure left PokerStars without an integrated sportsbook.

This created an unusual situation where:

• PokerStars US has no sportsbook
• FanDuel has no online poker
• The two account systems remain completely separate
• There is duplication between PokerStars’ and FanDuel’s online casino offerings
• Flutter maintains separate licenses for each brand

FanDuel Poker FAQ

Is FanDuel Poker available in the US?

FanDuel Poker is now available in the US, under the full name PokerStars Exclusively by FanDuel. The new app merges players from Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey into a single player pool on a new platform that replaced the exisiting PokerStars US client.

What is PokerStars Founders Table?

The Founders Table is a membership program that was launched ahead of the PokerStars and FanDuel merger. By enrolling, players could reserve a username ahead of the launch of the new platform and gain other benefits, such as access to exclusive freerolls, special avatars and throwables, and more.

Will FanDuel Poker replace PokerStars in the US?

Yes, PokerStars x FanDuel Poker will replace the current PokerStars US platform. It is a new site/app, and PokerStars US players need to register for new accounts

What states did FanDuel Poker launch in?

FanDuel Poker powered by PokerStars initially launched in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, the three states where PokerStars US operated. More states could be added to the fold later on. Additionally, PokerStars x FanDuel will go live in Ontario.

Does FanDuel Poker offer shared liquidity across states?

Yes. Right now, FanDuel Poker shares liquidity between Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Why would Flutter combine PokerStars with FanDuel?

Combining these brands offers several benefits:

• Enhanced market access in states where FanDuel is licensed
• Reduced licensing overhead by consolidating brands
• Cross-promotional opportunities between sports betting and poker
• Better competitive positioning against operators like DraftKings and BetMGM that already offer all three gambling verticals
• Alignment with Flutter’s strategy that prioritizes FanDuel in the US market

When did FanDuel Poker launch?

PokerStars x FanDuel launched on April 1, 2026.

Will FanDuel Poker be available in Nevada?

Nevada represents a challenge as PokerStars is not currently licensed there, while WSOP holds a monopoly on online poker in the state. New FanDuel Poker is not yet available in Nevada, but it may be a possibility later down the line.

How does FanDuel Poker differ from PokerStars?

Although many things remain the same, including a wide range of games and variations, some of the main differences include:

• Brand-new software
• Integration with FanDuel’s sports betting and casino platforms
• Different branding and visual identity
• New promotions and loyalty programs aligned with FanDuel’s existing offerings
• Broader market access across more states

What happened to FOX Bet and how does it relate to FanDuel Poker?

FOX Bet, the sports betting component previously integrated with PokerStars in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, ceased operations in August 2023. This left PokerStars without an integrated sportsbook. The closure highlighted the fragmented nature of Flutter’s US offerings, with PokerStars lacking sports betting and FanDuel lacking poker—a situation that a potential integration would resolve.

Do existing PokerStars players need new accounts for FanDuel Poker?

Yes, the existing PokerStars US players need to create a new account for FanDuel Poker as there is no way to migrate an old PokerStars account to the new platform. Existing FanDuel users do not need a new account to use the poker platform, though.

What deposit and withdrawal options does FanDuel Poker offer?

FanDuel Poker accepts payment methods like credit/debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal, online banking transfers, Trustly, Venmo, Apple Pay, and cash deposits at partner casinos. PokerStars players will likely see an expanded range of payment options.

Is FanDuel Poker regulated and safe to play on?

Yes, all FanDuel Poker products are fully regulated by the same state gaming authorities that oversee current legal online poker operations. Flutter is a publicly traded company that operates in highly regulated markets worldwide, and all of its US gambling products adhere to strict standards for fair play, responsible gambling, and player fund protection.