Flutter Resumes US Poker Operations Under PokerStars on FanDuel Brand

(AsiaGameHub) –   Flutter has reintroduced its US poker operations under a new structure, bringing back the PokerStars brand rather than phasing it out entirely in favor of FanDuel. The new platform, which is listed in app stores as PokerStars on FanDuel, launched on Wednesday and has immediately altered the competitive landscape for shared liquidity online poker.

Key Takeaways

• The new application is named PokerStars on FanDuel.
• Players in Pennsylvania are now part of a unified player pool with those in New Jersey and Michigan.
• Existing users can still access the previous client for withdrawals at this time.

Shared Liquidity Returns to the Forefront

The most significant practical change is not the branding, but the liquidity. Players in Pennsylvania are now combined with players in New Jersey and Michigan, creating a larger multi-state player pool for the relaunched network from the outset.

This is important because PokerStars USA had lost ground after being slower than competitors to integrate Pennsylvania, which is the largest state by population with legalized online poker. Once a market leader, the brand had fallen behind partly due to the delayed integration.

The relaunch also clarifies the branding strategy. Initial indications suggested a complete transition to FanDuel, but Flutter has retained the PokerStars brand within the product. Consequently, the brand is once again available to US players, albeit within a FanDuel-affiliated format.

Players who still have funds in their old PokerStars USA accounts can log in to make withdrawals. By the end of the month, any remaining balances will be sent via check to the address associated with the player account.

PokerStars “Lite,” which manages play money games and private clubs, appears to be unaffected and continues to operate as usual.

New Bonuses Introduced Amidst Player Complaints

Flutter has presented the product as an enhanced poker offering, leveraging PokerStars’ software and FanDuel’s market reach. Aaron Dugan, general manager of PokerStars at FanDuel, stated: “By combining PokerStars’ industry-leading poker experience with FanDuel’s scale and reach, we’re able to deliver bigger games, larger prize pools and a more dynamic experience. We look forward to welcoming players to the tables.”

Players are being offered some initial incentives. All users are eligible to claim a sign-up bonus, including those who previously held PokerStars USA or FanDuel accounts. A PokerStars representative explained the rationale on the US Poker Community Discord, noting: “Poker is new and all players are treated as new regardless of prior Sports or Casino activity.”

This reset also means that all players will need to select a new username. Flutter is also using the launch to reintroduce a version of the Sunday Million. Instead of a single event with a $1 million guarantee, the operator will host two tournaments with a $500,000 guarantee each on April 12. A series of freerolls totaling $150,000 is also part of the launch promotion.

The long-term objective is clear. If FanDuel can successfully attract sportsbook and casino users to poker, game traffic could see an increase. However, operators typically aim to cross-sell poker players into sports betting and casino games, as these products generally generate higher revenue.

The rollout has not been without its challenges. Initial player feedback included reports of technical difficulties and geolocation issues that prevented access. Some players also expressed concerns that the software has regressed and is not as high-quality as it once was.

Game selection also appears to be limited in certain areas. Pot-limit Omaha eight-or-better, mixed games, heads-up tables, and sit-and-gos are not all currently available. A representative for the site indicated that PLO8 and mixed tables are planned for future release. There are currently “no plans” to introduce heads-up games or sit-and-gos.

An additional restriction has been implemented: individuals who have self-excluded from FanDuel or have received an operator ban are not permitted to create an account on the new client.