PokerStars has become the first major operator to respond to the United Kingdom’s new 40% Remote Gaming Duty, introducing significant reductions to its rewards system for UK players.
The changes began rolling out on April 1, 2026—coinciding with the implementation of the new tax rate—and will continue with further adjustments taking effect on April 16.
High-End Loyalty Tiers Removed
The initial update focused on eliminating the platform’s most lucrative loyalty tiers, Select and Select+. These tiers were primarily designed for high-volume players and previously allowed rewards of up to 60% rakeback.
Their removal immediately lowered the maximum achievable returns in the UK market, signaling a clear shift in PokerStars’ reward structure.
Lower Reward Caps Across All Levels
From April 16, the operator will introduce additional changes affecting both reward percentages and progression requirements.
At the top end, the maximum reward rate drops sharply:
- Black Chest rewards decrease from 40% to 25%
- Diamond tier falls from 30% to 24%
- Gold tier declines from 25% to 22.7%
Lower tiers remain unchanged in percentage terms, but the overall system still becomes less favorable due to tougher requirements.
Higher Requirements for the Same Rewards
While the value of individual reward chests remains the same, players will now need to generate more rake or earn more points to unlock them.
For example:
- Gold level increases from 50,000 to 55,000 points
- Diamond rises from 120,000 to 150,000 points
- Black jumps significantly from 250,000 to 400,000 points
This effectively reduces the real return for players, particularly those grinding higher volumes.
Reduced Reward Points for Many Formats
PokerStars is also changing how reward points are earned across different game formats.
Some formats remain unchanged:
- Spin & Go
- Spin & Go Max
- All-in Poker
- Zoom cash games
→ continue to earn 100 points per $1 in rake
However, other formats see clear reductions:
- Regular cash games (non-Zoom): reduced to 75 points per $1
- MTTs, Sit & Gos, and Kick-Off tournaments: reduced to 50 points per $1
Previously, all formats awarded 100 points per $1, making this a notable downgrade—especially for tournament players.
Direct Link to the New Tax Environment
PokerStars confirmed that these adjustments are directly tied to regulatory changes in the UK. The company stated that the updates reflect the increase in gaming tax from 21% to 40% and are necessary to maintain a sustainable rewards model.
In practical terms, part of the increased operating cost is now being absorbed by players through reduced incentives.
No Changes Outside the UK
At this stage, the updates apply exclusively to UK players. Reward systems in other markets remain unchanged.
Additionally, competing operators such as GGPoker, Unibet, and networks like iPoker Network have not yet announced similar adjustments.
A Broader Industry Pattern
PokerStars’ move aligns with trends seen in other regulated markets where higher taxes lead to reduced player value.
Examples include:
- Germany, where taxation per pot has resulted in lower rewards and higher rake
- Markets such as France, Portugal, Denmark, and Bulgaria, where player returns are generally less competitive compared to lower-tax regions
What Comes Next?
While PokerStars is currently the only operator to implement concrete changes, the decision may set a precedent. Industry observers have long expected that increased taxation in the UK would eventually lead to adjustments in rewards, rake structures, or promotions.
With the first response now confirmed, similar moves from other operators could follow in the coming months.
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