Global Poker Review 2024

Global Poker is one of the oldest social casino websites and a top virtual poker room in the US.

It is known for quick cash games, tournaments, and a curated selection of popular slots from providers like Slotmill, NetEnt, and others.

Read my review of Global Poker sweepstakes casino to learn more about this leader in social poker gaming.

Global Poker casino review & ratings

I evaluated all aspects of Global Poker, including its social poker features and casino-style games.

To learn how we test new sweepstakes casinos, check out our detailed review process here.

Here are my final ratings for the site.

Pros & cons of Global Poker

Global Poker casino overview

What is Global Poker casino & how does it work?

Global Poker is a social gaming platform offering a variety of poker rooms and over 30 slot games.

Instead of using real money, players use Gold Coins to play slots and practice poker. If you want to win real cash prizes, you can use Sweeps Cash (SC).

Sweeps Cash acts as bonus funds until you wager it on any poker, slot, or table game.

Each SC is worth $1 when redeemed for prizes. You only need $10 in Stake Cash to earn a gift card, or 50 SC to win a $50 cash prize.

Although it's called “Global” Poker, it is only available in the US, excluding Connecticut, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, and Washington.

Bonus offers: 4/5

Global Poker, primarily a social poker site, provides bonuses and promotions similar to traditional sweepstakes casinos.

These include a substantial no-deposit bonus, an attractive first-purchase discount, progressive daily login bonuses, a mail-in bonus, and various social media contests.

Let's explore each of these offers in detail.

Welcome bonus

Global Poker offers an impressive welcome bonus, which includes a no-deposit offer of 100,000 Gold Coins and 10 Sweeps Cash.

Additionally, new players can take advantage of a 200% first-purchase bonus, which provides 150,000 Gold Coins and 30 Sweeps Cash for just $10.

This bonus is significantly larger than the industry average, especially the no-deposit bonus, which gives you $10 worth of free Sweeps Cash.

Progressive daily login bonus

Global Poker's progressive daily login bonus allows you to keep playing without spending any money. Initially, you'll receive 1,000 Gold Coins and 0.25 Sweeps Cash.

After claiming this bonus for seven consecutive days, it will increase to 2,500 Gold Coins and 1 Tournament Entry.

After that, it will reset to the initial 1,000 Gold Coins and 0.25 Tournament Entry.

Alternative method of entry

The Alternative Method of Entry bonus gives you 5 free Sweeps Cash.

To claim it, send a handwritten mail-in request to VGW Limited with your unique postal request code (found in the "Get Coins" tab).

Details on how to format your request can be found in Section 3, Clause 4 of Global Poker’s Terms and Conditions.

Social media bonuses

To earn more Sweeps Cash, follow Global Poker on Facebook and Twitter.

The site regularly hosts tournaments and giveaways on its social media channels.

These events often offer free Sweeps Cash, tickets to exclusive tournaments, and other prizes.

Simply follow the site, check out the latest contests, and follow the instructions to participate for free.

Games: 4/5

Global Poker offers a wide range of games, including various poker rooms, video slots, and table games.

While poker is the site's primary focus, you'll also find a few jackpots and classic slot machines in the Slots category.

Let's take a closer look at the different game types available.

Poker ring games

The ring games at Global Poker replicate the excitement of real-money cash games.

These classic multiplayer poker games allow you to choose your buy-in amount within set limits, fold your hand if you don't like it, and quickly join another game.

Poker tournaments

Tournaments are a major draw at Global Poker, with some events attracting up to 100 players, especially those with guaranteed prize pools.

Sweeps Cash is the only currency used in these tournaments.

Here are the main tournament types:

• Regular tournaments: These tournaments follow standard rules for games like Omaha or PLO. Players can use filters to find events based on buy-in levels or game formats.

• Bounty poker tournaments: In these tournaments, each player has a bounty (in tournament currency) that is awarded when they are eliminated. The more players you knock out, the bigger your bounty becomes.

• Jackpot Sit’n’Go tournaments: These fast-paced games feature three players per table. Players start with the same buy-in, and pots are randomly set for each game.

• Guaranteed tournaments: These tournaments offer a guaranteed prize pool that will not fall below the advertised amount. The prize pool can sometimes be larger.

Poker game types

Global Poker offers a variety of poker formats, including Pot Limit Omaha (PLO), Omaha Hi-Lo, Omaha Hold'em, and Crazy Pineapple.

• Pot Limit Omaha: PLO is a flexible variant where the maximum bet and raise amounts depend on the pot size. It caters to both beginners and high rollers.

• Omaha Hold'em: Similar to Texas Hold'em, but with four hole cards instead of two. Players can only use two of these cards. It’s a simple poker variant that rewards skill without being too hard for newcomers.

• Omaha Hi-Lo: Also known as Omaha 8, this variant splits the pot between the best "High" and "Low" hands at the end of the round. While not beginner-friendly, it’s a popular variant at Global Poker.

• Crazy Pineapple: This is a variation of Texas Hold'em where players receive three hole cards, but must discard one after the flop. If you know Texas Hold'em, you'll quickly pick up this variant.

Slots

While poker tournaments are the main focus at Global Poker, slots serve as a popular side attraction.

The site offers a solid selection of a few dozen slot games, featuring a variety of categories such as video slots, Megaways, progressive jackpots, classic 3-reel and 5-reel slots, and feature spins.

Table games

Global Poker excels in poker but falls short when it comes to other table games. The site only offers two blackjack tables.

However, if you're looking for a break from poker, you can explore the video poker options available in this section.

User experience: 4/5

One of the standout features of Global Poker is its sleek and user-friendly interface.

The site offers numerous filters to easily find the right poker ring game or tournament, while the casino-style games have their own compact, easy-to-navigate lobby.

Registration is straightforward, and what’s even better is that you don’t need to go through a verification process to access most of the site’s features, including purchasing Gold Coins (GC) and redeeming Sweeps Cash (SC).

Below, I’ll explain how these features work and walk you through the registration and verification processes.

Account registration

There are several ways to sign up for Global Poker. The easiest method is to use Google Authenticator (Log In With Google), which only requires you to grant Google permission to share your data and accept the terms and conditions.

If you prefer to join with Facebook, you can follow the same steps, but you’ll also need to create a new Screen Name.

Alternatively, you can create a new account from scratch by entering your email address and setting a password.

This is the only method that requires email verification. Check your inbox for the verification link and follow the instructions.

Verification

Global Poker’s verification process involves two main steps: identity and address verification.

To start, log into your account, tap the Menu icon, and select “Verification.” You won’t need to fill out multiple forms—just upload documents to verify your identity and address.

• Identity verification: Upload a copy of an accepted ID (driver's license, passport, or state-issued ID) along with a selfie taken within your Global Poker account.

• Address verification: This step requires submitting documents like a driver’s license, bank statement, utility bill, or government-issued letter, all dated within the last six months. Send these documents via email to [email protected].

Note that address verification may take some time because the Global Poker team manually reviews all submitted information. For example, in my case, the process was completed within a day, but your experience may vary.

While verification is not mandatory at Global Poker, it does offer some benefits. The primary advantage is the ability to redeem 4x more Sweeps Cash each month.

For unverified players, purchases and redemptions are still possible, but with more limitations.Global Poker Lobby

At first, you may feel a bit overwhelmed by how feature-packed Global Poker’s main lobby is.

You’ll see over 10 filters, all of which will be set active by default, a fluctuating list of ongoing games that meet the selected search criteria, and all active promotions at the right edge of the screen.

Navigating the lobby becomes infinitely easier when you master how filters work.

Essentially, the “Format” section is the equivalent of “poker game type”; “Limits” describes pot limits while “Buy-in” boxes allow you to search games by initial payment requirements.

If you tick all the boxes, the lobby will simply list all available matches and tournaments.

Experiment with different filters, and you’ll quickly find the ones that match your needs.

It’s important to note that the casino segment with slots and table games resides in a separate section, which is considerably smaller and a breeze to navigate with only several filtering options, such as New Releases, Classic, Tables, All (Games), and Jackpot.

Global Poker on mobile

Global Poker does not offer dedicated mobile apps.

However, its website is fully optimized for mobile devices, allowing you to register, play, purchase Gold Coins, and redeem Sweeps Cash directly through your smartphone's browser.

Simply visit globalpoker.comon your iPhone or Android device to get started.

All poker games, slots, virtual poker, and blackjack titles function smoothly on mobile.

Loading times are comparable across iOS, Android, and desktop versions.

When accessing the site from a smartphone or tablet, the screen orientation will be vertical.

Rewards, prizes, and loyalty program: 3/5

Global Poker doesn’t offer a traditional VIP program, but it does feature a unique rakeback system called The Vault.

Unlike standard cashback bonuses that give you a portion of your losses, The Vault lets you earn up to 30% of your stakes whenever you play a qualifying hand.

However, there’s a catch: rakeback is only available for wagers placed in ring games or “fast-forward” (fast-fold) games.

Previously, the system allowed players to earn rakeback from surge games, but these games were removed in August 2023.

On the positive side, the rakeback is calculated automatically and instantly deposited into your Vault.

There are separate Vaults for Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Cash (SC), filled with the currency you are using during your play.

You can access your Vault by logging into your Global Poker account, tapping the Profile icon, and finding the "Vault" section under your avatar.

From there, you can claim your rewards by clicking the “Claim Now” buttons in the GC and SC Vaults.

Keep in mind that Sweeps Cash from The Vault is treated as bonus money. Some players have reported issues when redeeming it, so a good tip is to delay claiming your rakeback if you’re planning a redemption.

Complete your redemption request first, then claim the rakeback bonus afterward to avoid potential issues.

Payments: 4/5

Global Poker offers a streamlined payment system with multiple options for purchasing Gold Coins.

Players can use popular methods such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and Skrill.

Redemption thresholds are notably low, requiring just 10 Sweeps Coins (SC) for a gift card and 50 SC for a cash prize.

Let's explore how payments and purchases function at this sweepstakes casino.

Purchasing Gold Coins

While it's not mandatory to use real money to acquire Gold Coins, doing so is the quickest way to obtain free Sweeps Cash and ensure you have ample play currency for practice.

Global Poker accepts various mainstream credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, as well as Skrill and Diners Club.

During testing, I purchased two low-tier bundles and received the currency instantly in both cases.

However, the site's terms and conditions state that purchases may take up to 24 hours.

Although there are no daily or weekly purchase limits, Global Poker imposes a $3,000 monthly purchase limit for non-verified players and a $12,000 limit for verified players.

Interestingly, this sweepstakes casino allows even unverified players to buy Gold Coins, though only a limited selection of packages is available in such cases.

Below is an overview of all Gold Coin bundles that you can purchase as a verified player.

Global Poker offers Gold Coin packages that include free Sweeps Cash (SC).

The most affordable package is priced at $5, providing a modest amount of SC. As the package price increases, the value of free SC also rises, with the highest package costing $500.

This premium package offers 2.6 million Gold Coins and $515 in free SC.

Redemptions

Redemptions are available for players, though they may take a long time if your profile isn't verified.

To redeem a gift card, you need at least 10 Sweeps Cash (SC). For cash prizes, the minimum is 50 SC. To request a redemption, log in, go to the “Store” tab, and click on “Redeem Prize.”

Next, you can choose between a Gift Card or Cash Prize. If you choose a gift card, Global Poker will send a $10 card to your email. If you prefer a cash prize, you’ll need to provide your bank account details.

Cash prize payouts take between 1 to 10 days, depending on factors like player verification. Verified players get priority, but traffic on the site, with tens of thousands of active players, can also affect processing times.

Safety & security: 5/5

Global Poker is trusted due to its association with VGW Limited, a reliable name in the US sweepstakes casino industry.

With RNG-tested software, a Malta Gaming Authority license, and over 10 years of experience, VGW makes Global Poker a safe platform to use.

While Global Poker has a relaxed approach to player verification, its strong geolocation technology ensures that only eligible players can access the site.

For extra security, players can enable 2FA, though the site is always protected by Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption.

The site’s Responsible Social Gaming (RSG) policy provides several tools to help players manage their gaming habits.

Activity reminders notify players of how much time they’ve spent playing at set intervals. Players can also set spending limits for daily, weekly, or monthly purchases.

Once the limit is reached, no further purchases can be made during the specified period.

Additionally, the RSG policy offers advice and links to organizations that help with self-assessment and controlling gambling behavior.

Customer support: 4/5

Global Poker offers fast, reliable customer service that’s easy to access.

You can reach support through multiple channels, including the Help Center (which has a ticketing system and FAQs), email at [email protected], or social media platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram.

While there’s no live chat or phone support, VGW provides detailed quick-start guides for beginners.

These guides cover setting up an account, verifying it, buying coins, and redeeming Sweeps Cash.

If the guides don’t fully address your needs, you can explore the Help Center.

Start with the FAQs for common issues, then move to more detailed articles if necessary.

For more complex issues, use the ticketing system or contact support via social media.

How does Global Poker casino compare to others?

Global Poker is a leading social poker site in the US sweepstakes industry.

However, its limited slot library means it doesn't compete with the largest sweepstakes casinos.

Here's how Global Poker compares to its closest rivals:

Global Poker casino reviews

Global Poker has been established for over 8 years and has built a reputation across various review platforms.

Although its Trustpilot rating is 2.2 out of 5.0 stars, the casino enjoys a strong community of dedicated fans on Reddit, Facebook, and other social media channels.

On September 28, 2022, Nate Kral, a verified player at Global Poker, shared the following review:

“It’s a 5 for me. Software good; security good; traffic good, but most importantly, licensed and regulated, and certified RNG.”

Date of experience: September 27, 2022

https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/63339b761c24523f3ca01988

Nate Kral (5/5 stars)

Katrina Cherrie, another verified user, had this to say on the 11th of May 2023:

“Global Poker is my favorite online poker site for many reasons. I love the table chat, the daily home game which they stream live, event competitions, and customer services. Being able to chat and watch live games brings a social aspect to this game that is unparalleled by other online gambling entities.”

Date of experience: May 02, 2023

https://www.trustpilot.com/users/645d3144918bdd0013856f5e

Katrina Cherrie (5/5 stars)

Expert verdict

Global Poker is a reputable sweepstakes casino known for hosting some of the top social poker tournaments in the U.S.

While it may not match the extensive slot libraries of traditional sweepstakes sites, it offers a comprehensive range of games and maintains a secure gaming environment.

Operated by a trusted industry leader, Global Poker provides generous bonuses and continually enhances its offerings with new games, poker variants, and contests.

For these reasons, I recommend Global Poker to players seeking a reliable and engaging poker experience.

FAQs

Sources

• Legislation on Prize Award Schemes

• S.335 - Deceptive Mail Prevention and Enforcement Act for Sweepstakes

• A Consumer's Guide to Sweepstakes and Lotteries

• Legalized Gambling