PokerStars and FanDuel alliance signals boost for U.S. online poker

FanDuel is now the exclusive home of PokerStars, combining one of America's dominant online casino and sportsbook operators with a top-tier online poker brand. This partnership will see PokerStars serve Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania through the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). 

The merger figures to boost liquidity and player interest across the broader US online poker market. It will also give PokerStars customers access to the FanDuel Casino promo code, which currently offers 1,500 Bonus Spins for a $5 deposit—claim that offer here:

PokerStars previously pooled its New Jersey and Michigan players through the MSIGA while keeping its Pennsylvania customers separate. That will change since Stars is taking full advantage of the MSIGA by combining players from all three states.

The addition of PA (pop. 13.6 million) provides a major increase in liquidity. PokerStars will now pool players in three states with a combined population of 33.3 million. 

That means bigger tournament prize pools, larger cash-game stakes, and more promotions. The broader US iPoker ecosystem will also benefit from having a major player step up its game.

PokerStars recently celebrated the FanDuel integration with two $500k Sunday Million tournaments and a $150k No Sweat freeroll series. Click here to join FanDuel and play in poker events like the Sunday Million:

The foundation of the PokerStars-FanDuel alliance was formed in 2018, when Flutter Entertainment acquired a majority stake in FanDuel. It later acquired PokerStars from the Stars Group in 2020.

PokerStars had been operating as a separate brand in NJ, PA, and MI. But Flutter retired the standalone platforms in all three states last month after committing to joining Stars with FanDuel.

FanDuel is an elite Michigan online casino and sports betting brand. But until recently, it had never dipped into the Wolverine State's US online poker market. 

FanDuel needed regulatory approval somewhere so it could join the MISGA and host PokerStars games. It chose Michigan as an entry point while using MotorCity Casino as its land-based poker partner. The Michigan Gaming Control Board approved the application on April 1, 2026, helping cement the combination of the two platforms.

PokerStars and FanDuel on the same platform will create many cross-sell opportunities for Flutter. Historically, Stars has been a dominant poker operator but less strong with its casino and sports betting products. FanDuel is one of the best online casinos and sportsbooks, yet it had no poker exposure until now.

The two can complement each other across all three verticals. They also enable Flutter to better compete with companies that are strong in every area. BetMGM is a perfect example since it operates BetMGM Poker in addition to its successful online sports betting and casino verticals.

Poker has struggled in the regulated US gaming market compared to casino gaming and sports betting. Much of this has to do with how important liquidity is for creating enticing tournaments and full cash tables.

The US has experienced poor liquidity due to fragmented state-based markets. Delaware, Nevada, and West Virginia are also members of the six-state MSIGA. But online poker sites that participate in the MSIGA haven't sought and gained approval in every state involved.

PokerStars is a perfect example since it used to only pool players in New Jersey and Michigan. Adding Pennsylvania to the mix and capitalizing on FanDuel's extensive customer base should provide a strong increase in overall liquidity.

How big a long-term impact this has on US iPoker remains to be seen. However, it should at least boost player participation in the foreseeable future.

Jeremy Olson