PokerStars Sports takes the brand beyond poker, with thousands of betting markets, live streaming, early payout options, and strong odds across the board. 

Payments clear faster than most other platforms, and even the smallest stakes can still give you a shot at up to £1,000,000 in daily winnings. 

I’ve been a regular here long enough to know the ins and outs. Read this PokerStars bookmaker review for my honest take.

Key information

What is PokerStars Sports all about? 

PokerStars Sports brings the brand’s weight from poker and casino into betting, all under one account. You’ve got thousands of markets to pick from - pre-match, in-play, and outrights - across football, horse racing, tennis, and plenty more. And while the bonus side could be stronger, features like Bet Builder and live streaming give plenty of reasons to stick around.

Bonuses

There’s no dedicated sports welcome offer on PokerStars for new sign-ups. What we went for instead was the 100% first-deposit match up to £500 + 50 free spins casino bonus, and that actually worked out nicely because once it cleared the wagering, and then move  the winnings across to the sportsbook. You can read more about how that works in our PokerStars casino review.

Beyond the welcome period, PokerStars isn’t one of those UK bookmakers that keep a set weekly rhythm of promos. It’s more about short-term offers building hype around the big events. I’d say the best way to stay in the loop is by opting into marketing communications when registering, or later on in your account settings, because that’s where new offers are announced first. 

One promo that’s been around since signing up at PokerStars is Star Sub. It covers player-based football bets where a substitute carries on the outcome if your original pick comes off. So if you’ve backed a striker to score anytime, pick up a booking, or hit two or more shots on target, the replacement keeps that bet alive.

The biggest games of the day often get a few price boosts, whether it’s on a straight punt or some sort of special the bookie puts together. In the last Manchester derby, for example, I had Haaland to either score or set one up and also draw at least two fouls, and the price was pushed to 5/1 instead of 4/1. 

Available sports

PokerStars serves up markets on 26 sports, with football standing head and shoulders above the rest. A rotating banner highlights major clashes, followed by price boosts, preset accumulators, and instant Bet Builder choices. Inside, the coverage stretches from betting on Premier League fixtures down through the English divisions and across numerous international tournaments. Every match comes with Bet Builder, plus you’ve got specials like the Full Time Winner 2 Up, which pays out in full the moment your side goes two goals clear.

As you’d anticipate from a major bookmaker, the horse racing markets also carry plenty of depth. Every race is backed by a detailed racecard, laying out form, weight, age, and previous odds for each runner. Alongside that, PokerStars integrates licensed Timeform verdicts, which provide a concise analysis and three ranked selections to guide betting decisions.

Other popular sports rounding up PokerStars’ selection include cricket, rugby union, tennis, golf, and boxing, along with darts, snooker, cycling, and mixed martial arts. The minimum stake goes as low as 9p, while maximum limits vary by market. One thing set in stone across the board is a £1,000,000 daily payout cap.

➡️ Did you know? If the market you want isn’t showing, PokerStars offers a way to request it. Reach out to the customer support team with the sport, full event details, date, and the type of bet you’re after. The Trading team will look to price it up, and there’s even a section inside each sport where requested odds already added are listed, so you can check what others have asked for as well.

User experience and interface

I’d say the sportsbook on PokerStars is the easiest part of the site to settle into. Odds show in decimal by default, though a quick switch in settings changes them to fractional or American. From the same top menu, you can move straight into in-play, check your open bets, or see what promotions are available.

➡️ Note: When betting in-play, PokerStars lets you speed things up by switching on the setting that automatically accepts all price changes.

The left-hand side of the screen carries a fixed vertical menu with every sport listed. Choose one, and the centre shows the biggest upcoming fixtures, or you can even browse by competition. On the right, the bet slip builds automatically once a price is clicked, giving options for singles, accumulators, or combination bets like a Yankee or Lucky 15.

PokerStars Sports has recently added a live streaming feature, which lets you watch certain competitions directly through the site or app while betting. Here’s how it works:

• Pick a sport or event that’s available for streaming. There are currently 11, including football, tennis, basketball, and combat sports.
• Open the event page where you’d normally see the markets and prices.
• Look just under the odds for a small black “live stream” icon.
• Click or tap that icon, and the stream will start right there on the page.
• You can then watch the match live while keeping an eye on your bet and even place new in-play wagers.

Mobile and app compatibility

PokerStars’ mobile setup keeps both quality and ease of use in place. The app is free on both iOS and Android, and once installed, you can go straight into the sportsbook with football, racing, and all the main markets right there.

If you’d rather not download the app, the site works really well through any mobile browser with quick updates and light data use. The layout’s look and feel is much like the desktop, only tighter for a smaller screen, so you’re not hunting around for menus.

App store: 4.4/5 (1.4k ratings)
Google Play Store: 4.1/5 (171 reviews)

VIP programmes and loyalty rewards 

Despite building a highly structured rewards programme for online poker, PokerStars haven’t yet rolled out anything similar on the sports side. Player reviews from abroad mention an invite-only VIP scheme offered to customers based on bet volume, frequency, and account history. When I raised the question on live chat, Angie confirmed that it doesn’t extend to UK players.

If the lack of a dedicated sports VIP programme puts you off, I’d point you toward 21Luckybet. Every customer goes straight into the rewards system from the get-go, with free bets, cashback, and bonus funds to unlock as you climb through the levels.

Pros & Cons 

Diving deeper into PokerStars Sports

Since 2019, PokerStars has been part of Flutter Entertainment following its merger with The Stars Group. 

Flutter is one of the largest gambling operators worldwide, headquartered in Ireland, with a portfolio that stretches across both sides of the Atlantic. Its line-up includes well-established sports betting brands such as Betfair, Paddy Power, and Sky Bet.

Licensing

PokerStars is an online betting site regulated in Great Britain by the UK Gambling Commission under licence number 39108. This approval means the platform must follow strict rules on safety, fairness, and responsible gambling.

Registration is only open to players aged 18 or over. When signing up, the system automatically attempts to verify your identity. If the details can’t be confirmed, you’ll be asked for documents like a passport, driving licence, or a recent utility bill.

Payment methods

I had 12 different payment options for moving money in and out of PokerStars Sports. Debit cards are the simplest, working much like any online purchase. On mobile, I often use Apple Pay, as it’s quicker with facial recognition. You’ve also got PayPal, bank transfer, and vouchers like Paysafecard for added flexibility.

Most options start from £10, though PokerStarsTopUp goes from £7, while bank transfers sit right up at £5,000. There’s also Fast Deposit, where you save one method and add funds instantly, even while you’re in the middle of populating a bet slip, all without re-entering details. Withdrawals go back through the same routes, usually starting at £10. 

The upper limits vary. Visa, for example, goes up to £6,500. Processing speeds are very strong compared to other sports betting apps. Many of my requests were cleared straight away. I think that the longest I waited was 24 hours, and there were never any fees.

Security and fairness 

PokerStars Sports operates under strict rules designed to keep betting fair and customer money safe. Here are some of the key safeguards in place:

• Official results only: PokerStars uses the ruling from the sport’s governing body to decide outcomes, which removes any grey area.
• Integrity monitoring: The team monitors betting patterns through the International Betting Integrity Association to spot match-fixing and protect players.
• Clear treatment of non-runners: If the horse, team, or player you’ve backed doesn’t take part, PokerStars refunds your stake. The only exception comes in markets clearly labelled “all-in,” where every entry counts, whether they compete or not.
• Transparency on payouts: Published limits, like the £1,000,000 daily cap on football, mean you know exactly what the maximum return can be.
• Protect player balances: PokerStars holds customer funds under the UKGC’s high-level protection tier. Deposits sit in a ring-fenced trust account, separate from company money, with an independent trustee in charge. Even if the business collapsed, players would still receive their balances.

Responsible gambling measures 

PokerStars has several responsible gambling tools built into the sports side, so you’ve always got ways to keep your betting under control. Every account goes through age checks, with ID and background verification in place to make sure only those 18 or over can play. 

Net deposit limits are automatic, and the system applies stricter caps to younger players. For example, under-25s can only put in £250 a day or £500 a month. You can also set your own limits, whether that’s daily or weekly deposits, stake caps, or even blocking certain products altogether.

If things feel like they’re going too far, self-exclusion tools let you block access for a chosen period or permanently, and that lock applies across other Flutter brands such as Betfair, Paddy Power, and Sky Bet. 

PokerStars is also linked with GAMSTOP, which means you can close yourself off from all licensed UK operators in one go. There are also several direct links to support services like GamCare and GambleAware.

FIRST rating:

4.5/5 stars

Payment methods 

FAQs

Is PokerStars legit?

PokerStars sportsbook is a fully legitimate bookmaker licensed by the UKGC and part of Flutter Entertainment alongside the likes of SkyBet, Betfair and Paddy Power. It operates under strict regulatory standards, carries responsible gambling measures, and handles customer balances with high-level fund protection overseen by an independent trust.

How can I contact customer support at PokerStars?

You can reach PokerStars support through live chat once logged in, or by using their help centre for email requests. Support agents handle queries about betting, payments, and account security, and service is available around the clock for registered players in the UK.

How do I reset my password at PokerStars?

To reset your PokerStars password, go to the login screen and select ‘forgot username/ password’. Enter your email, then follow the link sent to you. After setting a new password, you can log back into your account immediately.