Ontario, Canada is home to premium betting sites, such as Poker Stars. This sports bookie boasts impressive offerings for bettors to enjoy. All of these will be discussed in this Poker Stars review.
Users enjoy numerous popular sports, including football, basketball, and hockey. You can also wager in real time at this leading sportsbook. This review discusses all you need to know about Poker Stars, including customer support and security. We’ll also include the license and payment methods alongside how to sign up and expert tips for betting on the site.
How to Sign Up and Make Your First Deposit at Poker Stars
Registering at Poker Stars is pretty simple. All you need to do is follow these steps below, and your account will be ready within a few seconds:
Create an Account
Visit the Poker Stars website to download the app or get it from your phone store. Then, sign up by entering the relevant details, including your name, email address, password, home address, and phone number.
You’ll be asked to verify your email address. Once you’ve done this, Poker Stars will log you into the app to start betting. Note that you must be at least 19 to sign up at the online sportsbook.
Make Your Deposit
To kick off betting fully once you’ve created an account, you need to make your first deposit. Fortunately, Poker Stars features many secure payment systems. For context, you can deposit via cards like Visa or Mastercard. We used this transaction channel, and here are the steps involved:
Log in to your account and go to the Cashier
Press Deposit and select the type of card you want to use
Choose one of the suggested deposit amounts or enter a different one in the field
Hit the green button to continue
Enter your details: card number (16 digits without spaces), card expiry date (month/year), and three-digit card verification number (located on the back of your card)
On the next screen, select a verification method (if applicable): Mastercard SecureCode or Verified by Visa password / one-time password
Review your transaction details and submit your request
We would also suggest that you have backup transaction channels for funding your account, including Skrill, Apple Pay, direct bank transfer, Interac, INSTADEBIT, Instant eChecks, MuchBetter, PayPal, and Paysafecard.
Start Betting
After funding your account, you can now embark on a fun-filled betting experience at the Poker Stars sports lobby. You’ll find various sports like football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and hockey on the site.
A Detailed Look Into Poker Star Sports Offerings
Poker Stars is one of the leading sportsbooks in Ontario, Canada. You’ll find popular sports like football, soccer, basketball, hockey, baseball, and more on the site. Canadian bettors enjoy competitive odds on popular sports.
Poker Stars also covers a wide array of sports leagues, such as the NHL, NFL, CHL, NBA, and many other prominent competitions out there. This allows you to enjoy wagering on the sports you love the most with a lot of confidence and competitive odds at your disposal.
Most bets you place at PokerStars Sports will settle within one hour. However, it might take a little longer if the official results are delayed. Note that once you place and confirm a bet and it’s accepted, you can’t cancel it.
Also, Poker Stars might occasionally void your bet. When that happens, the wager will be settled at odds of 1.0 and your stake will be returned. That way, you won’t win or lose any money.
If the bet is part of a multiple, the leg will be settled at odds of 1.0. Then the rest of the bet stands. However, in tennis, when a player retires and doesn’t finish a match, all bets are off. All wagers on the game will be voided and your stake returned.
The only exception is when the outcome has already been decided. For instance, if you bet on ‘Set One Winner’ and your player wins the first set, then retires in the third, Poker Stars will still pay out, as the outcome was already finalized.
The Top Three Betting Markets at Poker Stars
Poker Stars virtual sports games
Bet on soccer games at Poker Stars
While there are many betting markets at Poker Stars, it’s always good to have a something to compare to, therefore we’d recommend checking out our
Comeon review. But for now, the following are the top three markets at Poker Stars:
Handicap Betting
Handicap betting is when Poker Stars changes the odds by giving an advantage to one team over the other. For example, by offering a handicap of +1 on a team, that team will start the match with a virtual one-goal advantage.
A +2 or +3 handicap will mean your bet is much more likely to win, as your side is starting with a huge advantage. This will lower your odds and result in a lower payout. On the other hand, a -2 or -3 handicap will make it less likely for your wager to win. However, your odds will be higher, which will increase your payout.
First Goal Scorer Bet
When you bet on an individual player market, the bet stands if your selection plays any part in the match. For instance, if you bet on Jackson to score first in a Chelsea vs Man City match, and he comes on as a substitute in the 85th minute after Chelsea has scored two goals, your bet is lost, as Jackson stepped on the pitch during normal time.
Normal time means 90 minutes plus injury time and doesn’t include extra time or penalties. If Jackson didn’t start the game and never came off the bench, Poker Stars will void your bet and return your stake.
Draw NoBet
Draw No Bet is when Poker Stars removes the draw outcome and only offers odds on the Home or Away team.
Usually, when you bet on either the Home or Away team, the odds factor in the chance of a draw happening. This is also true for the Handicap Match Result (No Void) market. If you choose Draw No Bet, you remove the risk of a last-minute goal tying the match and taking your bet down.
However, if by any means, the other team equalizes the goals, and it finishes as a draw, Poker Stars will void your bet, and you’ll get your stake back. Keep in mind that if you wager on the home team using the Draw No Bet market, and the away team wins, your bet will be settled as a loss.
Finally, if you add a Draw No Bet selection to an accumulator bet, and the match ends as a draw, you still have a chance. The leg is void and is settled at odds of 1.0, effectively reducing the number of legs by one. For instance, a five-fold accumulator will become a four-fold.
Does Poker Stars Feature a Bet Builder?
Yes. Poker Stars Ontario features a bet builder you can use to add several bets on the same sports event into a double, treble, or accumulator. The Poker Star betting system will calculate the odds and update the bet slip as you add each selection. This feature is available for both pre-match and in-play markets.
To use the bet builder, select your chosen sports event. Then, click on Bet Builder at the top of the page. You can add several selections to the bet slip by simply tapping on them, and see the updated odds with every pick you add. Enter your stake, and press Place Bet when you’re done with your selection.
Like a regular multiple bet, you need all your selections to be correct for your bet to win. Occasionally, if a sports event is canceled, Poker Stars might void one of your bet builder wagers and settle it at odds of 1.0, while the rest of the bet builder multiple stands.
How Odds Work in In-play Betting
One reason many Ontarians love using the in-play betting feature at Poker Stars is the competitive odds. Keep in mind that you can change your odds to formats like Decimal, Fractional, and American at the site.
In-play betting odds fluctuate quickly as the game progresses. Note that during live events, the odds shown in the lobby might differ from what’s on your bet slip. Always place your wagers based on the odds on the bet slip. We recommend taking advantage of the Auto-Accept tool, which is found under the Place Bet to speed up your bet placement.
Top Tips for Betting at Poker Stars Ontario
To enjoy a memorable betting experience at Poker Stars, take advantage of the following tips:
⚖️ Carefully Choose a Betting Market
Before starting your betting session, it’s best to carefully choose a betting market that suits your preferred sports. We’ve discussed the top three betting markets at Poker Stars. You can choose between Handicap betting, First Goal Scorer bet, or Draw No Bet to enjoy a potentially rewarding gambling experience.
🏅 Start with Familiar Sports
Every avid bettor has a favorite sports. If you’re just joining Poker Stars, it’s best to start with it. Once you’ve gotten comfortable placing bets on the site, you can explore other sports. We love betting on football matches, and that’s where we started our gambling adventure before venturing into hockey.
💰 Begin with Small Amounts
To avoid running out of gambling funds quickly, it’s best to start small. Betting is quite an enjoyable pastime. Therefore, to enjoy extended sessions, you need to spend less when you wager on a sports event.
You can increase the amount as you become an experienced bettor. However, it’s important to always remember to wager responsibly. Always consider your bankroll every time you want to place bets.
🛠️ Take Advantage of Responsible Betting Tools
Betting is a pretty enjoyable way to spend your free time. However, it’s easy to get carried away. Fortunately, Poker Stars features some responsible gambling tools to help you manage your account.
You’ll find self-exclusion, guidance on responsible betting, and risk identification tools on the site. Also, before wagering at Poker Stars, set a budget and don’t exceed it. You can also set deposit and loss limits to help you manage your betting activities. All of these will contribute to an overall enjoyable experience in the long run.
Multiple Secure Payment Methods at Poker Stars Canada
Like all leading online bookmakers, Poker Stars offers multiple secure payment methods for fast deposits and withdrawals. These include popular transaction channels like Apple Pay, Skrill, direct bank transfer, INSTADEBIT, Instant eChecks, Interac, Mastercard, MuchBetter, PayPal, Visa, and Paysafecard.
Note that some of these transaction channels, like Apple Pay, Mastercard, Visa, and Paysafecard, are available for strictly deposit. This means you can’t use them to withdraw wins. However, others, such as direct bank transfer, can’t be used to fund your account.
Also, transaction time and fee depend on your preferred payment method. The minimum deposit amount is $10.
Poker Stars Canada’s Mobile Responsiveness
The Poker Stars website is well-organized, providing easy access to all relevant sections.
During our
Poker Stars reviews, we discovered that you can access the Poker, Casino, and Sports sections from the hamburger menu. When you check the website footer, there are links to areas like General Terms, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Privacy Preferences, and Responsible Gambling.
Betting was smooth on the site. We placed wagers on football matches, and the experience was remarkable.
Is There a Mobile App for Poker Stars Ontario?
Poker Stars Canada features a dedicated mobile app for on-the-go betting. You can download the app from the website. It’s also available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Therefore, you can get the app whether you’re using an iOS or Android phone.
From our experience using the app, it’s as intuitive as the website. However, it offers more functionality. Users who don’t want to download the dedicated Poker Stars
betting apps
can place wagers on their mobile devices, as the online bookmaker is optimized for on-the-go betting.
Bet live at Poker Stars on your device
Download Pokers Stars mobile app available on your mobile
Customer Support Options at Poker Stars Ontario
Customer support is an important factor we consider before signing up at an online bookmaker. When we checked Poker Stars, we discovered the site features only live chat and email. We couldn’t find a phone support option.
Live chat is better when you need speedy replies to your queries. On the other hand, email is suitable for lengthy and detailed complaints. We also found a Help page containing many frequently asked questions and answers to help you use the site.
Poker Stars is available on many social media channels, like Facebook, X, Twitch, Instagram, and YouTube. You can follow the site on its pages to reach customer support faster.
Poker Stars’ Legitimacy and Security
Poker Stars is a legitimate betting site owned by the Flutter brand and operated by TSG Interactive Canada Inc., an entity registered in Ontario, Canada. Just as we found in our
Neobet Review, the site is licensed and regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about its legitimacy.
Poker Stars features an RG Check on the website footer, showing the site’s commitment to bettors’ welfare. Regarding security, Poker Stars employs SSL encryption to protect users’ details against third-party access.
Responsible Gambling Tools at Poker Stars
Poker Stars offers multiple safe gambling measures, including self-exclusion tools, guidance on responsible betting, risk identification, and user verification to help Ontarians control their betting activities on the site.
Some of these measures include:
Deposit limits:
Users can restrict the amount they deposit for sports betting.
Limits on your losses:
You can limit the net loss of funds you can incur per day, week, or month. This feature helps you manage your experience better while betting on Poker Stars.
Access to support organizations:
If you feel you might have a gambling problem, seek further advice or counselling from support groups like ConnexOntario and GamblingTherapy.
Conclusion – Enjoy a Premium Betting Experience at Poker Stars Ontario
After exploring Poker Stars’ offerings, it isn’t hard to see why it’s a popular site in Ontario. Users enjoy placing wagers on various sports, like basketball, soccer, hockey, and tennis. There’s also an option to wager in real time and enjoy competitive odds.
Deposits and withdrawals are fast due to the numerous secure payment methods. Poker Stars is licensed by the ACGO and iGaming Ontario. Therefore, it’s a legitimate and safe online bookmaker.
You can wager on the dedicated app or website with your iOS or Android device, as the website is optimized for mobile betting. Sign up today to enjoy a fun-filled betting experience at Poker Stars Ontario!
Poker Stars Review FAQs
Yes. Poker Stars is a safe online bookmaker that employs SSL encryption technology to protect users’ personal and financial information from third-party access. The site operates with a license from iGaming Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission.
You can reach Poker Stars via live chat and email. The live chat option offers speedy replies to queries. It’s best to use email for detailed complaints.
Yes. Poker Stars has a dedicated mobile app for Android and iOS devices. You can download it from the Poker Stars website or your phone store.