Paddy Power Poker Migrates to PokerStars Network: Major Software Upgrade and Jackpots

The online poker landscape is witnessing a major shift as one of Ireland’s most prominent brands, Paddy Power Poker, completely overhauls its technical foundation. The operator has exited the iPoker Network to join the PokerStars Network, resulting in an immediate software transition for its user base. This strategic move within Flutter Entertainment aims to pool player liquidity and provide customers with access to one of the most robust poker products in the industry. Existing users are required to download the new software client to continue playing.

By moving to the new platform, Paddy Power players gain access to a much wider variety of poker variants and tournament formats that were unavailable on the legacy software. Beyond standard No-Limit Hold'em and Pot-Limit Omaha, the client now features niche games such as Razz, Badugi, 8-Game, and multiple Stud variants. A major highlight is the inclusion of the iconic Sunday Million and massive online championships like SCOOP and WCOOP, which are globally renowned for their substantial prize pools.

Numbers and facts

The upgraded software package introduces significant financial opportunities. The new Spin & Go tournaments, a three-handed hyper-turbo format, feature buy-ins ranging from $0.50 to $1,000. Games with buy-ins of $5 or more offer a jackpot multiplier that can trigger a $1 million top prize. Notably, four such million-dollar jackpots have been hit within the network in recent months. Another key feature is the Power Path, where players receive a free $0.50 Step 1 ticket every day just for logging in. Players can progress through four steps to win a Gold Power Pass worth $10,300, redeemable for live event packages like the European Poker Tour (EPT).

Furthermore, a new loyalty program called Stack+ has been implemented. It consists of seven tiers, from Midnight to Apex. Players earn 1 point for every $0.01 paid in rake or tournament fees. Rakeback starts at 5% to 10% for the Scarlet level (500 points) and reaches up to 25% for Spin & Go formats at the Apex level (150,000 points). While points reset at the end of each month, the achieved loyalty level remains active for the current and subsequent month.

Background

The integration of Paddy Power into the PokerStars Network follows a broader industry trend of consolidation. Analysts like Chad Beynon from Macquarie Group point out that poker often serves as a top-of-funnel acquisition tool to eventually convert users into higher-margin casino products. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, operators such as Entain and Super Group are seeking ways to maximize player lifetime value beyond the tournament. Super Group CEO Neal Menashe has noted that cross-sell rates from sports to casino often range between 60% and 70%.

"In terms of iGaming cross-sell, I think that is the ultimate goal. I mean, we’ve always thought about poker and sports betting as the top of funnel, and then iGaming as the money printer." - Chad Beynon, Managing Director at Macquarie Group

The consolidation of software under the Flutter banner demonstrates the importance of technological efficiency. While Paddy Power maintains its distinct Irish brand identity, it now leverages the superior infrastructure of PokerStars to remain competitive against rivals like GGPoker.

Why it matters for German players

For poker players in Germany, the situation remains complicated. Paddy Power Poker does not currently hold a license from the German Federal Gaming Authority (GGL). Under the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021), only operators listed on the official whitelist are permitted to offer services in Germany. German residents should strictly use licensed platforms like PokerStars.de, which adhere to rigorous player protection standards. These include the €1,000 monthly deposit limit managed via the LUGAS system and mandatory connection to the OASIS self-exclusion database. Playing on unlicensed MGA or Curacao platforms carries significant legal risks and lacks consumer protection.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German casinos with GGL licenses are closely monitoring these platform upgrades. Software quality is becoming a decisive competitive factor, especially since German players face strict €1 stakes limits on slots. High-quality poker products can act as a magnet to draw users into the legal ecosystem. When global networks improve their technology, it increases the pressure on purely domestic German operators to optimize their user interfaces and bonus structures within the legal framework to prevent players from turning to the black market.