PokerStars to Merge with FanDuel in North America for a Unified Platform
Flutter Entertainment has announced a major restructuring of its North American online gambling operations, confirming that PokerStars will merge its U.S. platform with FanDuel. The move aims to combine the strength of two Flutter’s biggest brands and create a single ecosystem for poker, casino games, and sports betting.
PokerStars to Join the FanDuel Ecosystem
Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of both brands, confirmed that PokerStars’ existing standalone platforms in North America will eventually be phased out as part of the merger. Instead, poker will be integrated into FanDuel’s broader gambling platform.
This means that players who currently use PokerStars in North America will need to access the game through FanDuel once the migration is complete. Those who do not already have a FanDuel account will be required to create one in order to continue playing. The transition is expected to take place gradually throughout 2026.
The unified system is designed to streamline user experience. Rather than maintaining separate accounts across multiple platforms, players will have a single login and wallet that works across poker, online casino games, and sports betting. Flutter believes this will make it easier for users to move between different gambling products while keeping all their activity within one ecosystem.
PokerStars players have to use a FanDuel account after the merger
Markets Included in the Migration
The merger will affect PokerStars operations in several regulated markets where the brand currently operates, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, and Ontario (Canada). Players in these states will transition from the current PokerStars platform to the new FanDuel-powered system as the integration rolls out.
However, regulatory frameworks will still shape how player pools operate. Ontario will remain a ring-fenced market due to local regulations, meaning its players will not share liquidity with U.S. states. Meanwhile, the U.S. network is expected to expand its shared player pool as more states become interconnected.
Larger Player Pools and Bigger Tournaments
One of the most significant benefits of the merger will be the expansion of shared liquidity among U.S. poker markets.
Currently, New Jersey and Michigan already share a combined network for PokerStars players. With the new FanDuel-backed platform, Pennsylvania is expected to join this pool as well. Bringing more players into the same network should lead to more active cash game tables, larger tournaments, and increased prize pools.
For poker players, liquidity is one of the most important factors in determining how attractive a platform is. Larger player pools typically mean faster game availability, a wide variety of stakes, and more competitive tournament schedules.
Flutter is betting that combining FanDuel’s massive sportsbook audience with PokerStars’ poker expertise will significantly boost traffic on the platform.
Strategic Move to Strengthen Flutter’s U.S. Position
FanDuel currently leads the U.S. sports betting market in many states and has established a large base of customers who already use its sportsbook and online casino products. By integrating PokerStars into the FanDuel platform, Flutter hopes to introduce poker to millions of existing users while simplifying its operational structure.
The new ecosystem will also allow for cross-product promotions and marketing campaigns that link poker with sportsbook and casino offers.
