Company Info
VGW Games Ltd. (launched Global Poker in 2016)
Website
Restricted States
CT, ID, MI, MT, and WA
Welcome Bonus
100,000 GC + 10 free tournament entries; 150,000 GC and 30 SC for the first $10 purchase
Currencies
Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins
Payment Methods
Debit/credit cards, Skrill, Instant ACH
Gaming Software
NetEnt, Relax Gaming, Slotmill, ReelPlay, G.Games, Exclusives
Gaming Categories
NLH, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Bounty Poker, Jackpot Sit’n’Go, Crazy Pineapple, Slots, and Table Games
Support Contacts
support@globalpoker.com, Help Center, Request Form
General Ratings
Global Poker Review
Global Poker is an online sweepstakes site owned and operated by the highly reputable VGW Holdings. The company is behind other successful platforms like Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots. Global Poker operates on the sweepstakes model, offering players the opportunity to take part in live poker games and tournaments without risking real money.
The site also has a section for fans of video slots and table games, partnering with reputable providers to deliver top titles. However, the platform’s standout feature is its poker offerings, where players can compete in weekly tournaments like the Sunday Scrimmage, Golden Rush, and Daily Hundo.
I have spent some quality time reviewing Global Poker, and here, I will cover everything from the bonuses to the payment methods and the standard of customer support at this sweepstakes poker site.
Pros
- Multiple live poker tables
- First purchase bonus of up to 100,000 extra Gold Coins and 20 Sweeps Coins
- Major poker tournaments with large prize pools
- Regular promotions on social media
Cons
- Not enough casino-style offerings
- No live chat or phone support
If you love playing poker online but aren’t particularly keen on losing money, Global Poker offers a chance to enjoy your favorite pastime for free. The platform is highly reputable and legal in 45 US states and Canada. Upon signing up, you get access to dozens of free poker games and the largest collection of tournaments you’ll find on any social poker site. The poker fun never stops at Global Poker, and if you ever want to add more flavor to your gaming sessions, the site supports Sweeps Coins, where you can play for a chance to win real rewards.
Legal States
As long as you are 18 or above, you can access and play games on the Global Poker site in all US states except Connecticut, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, and Washington. You can also register and play on this platform in all Canadian provinces except Quebec.
How Global Poker Works
If you have played on a sweepstakes site before, you should have no problem understanding how Global Poker works, and even if you haven’t, it’s all pretty straightforward.
First, you should know that Global Poker operates with two virtual currencies — Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Gold Coins are strictly for fun and can’t be redeemed for real prizes.
Sweeps Coins, on the other hand, have real value. One SC is worth 1 USD, and as long as you meet the 1x playthrough requirement and have at least 50 Sweeps in your account, you can redeem them for cash prizes anytime.
It’s worth noting that you can’t directly purchase Sweeps Coins. While Global Poker doesn’t offer them as part of the welcome package, you can receive these coins from other promotions or as a reward for purchasing Gold Coins. You can also participate in tournaments and contests with Tournament Entries, but they aren’t free either. While you might receive some as part of the welcome bonus, you’ll need to make a purchase when you run out.
Global Poker Bonuses
I was impressed with the variety of promotions available for both new and regular players on Global Poker. Here are some of the top ones.
- Welcome Bonus: Create and verify your account for a welcome package that includes 100,000 GC and 10 tournament entries.
- First Purchase Bonus: This offer triples the value of your first Gold Coin package. So, if you purchase the $10 package, you’ll receive 150,000 GC and 30 SC.
- Daily Login Bonus: The bonus for logging in each day starts at 1,000 GC and 0.25 and goes up to 2,500 GC and 1 SC after a seven-day login streak.
- Postal Request: According to sections 3.4 and 3.5 of the Global Poker T&Cs, you can receive free Sweeps by sending a handwritten postcard to VGW Holdings. The card must contain the 12-digit Request Code assigned to your account. You can find this code in the Play for Free tab of the Get Coins lobby.
- Facebook Contests: Global Poker regularly runs quizzes and puzzles on Facebook, where you can win Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins by posting a comment with the answer and your username.
Bonuses Review
| No Deposit Bonus | 100,000 GC + 10 free tournament entries |
| Global Poker Bonus Code | Not required |
| First Purchase Bonus | 150,000 GC + 30 free SCs for a $10 purchase |
| Daily Free Credits | 1,500 to 50,000 GCs, 0.3 to 5 SCs |
| VIP Program | N/A |
| Mail-in Bonus | 5 SC |
| Referral Bonus | N/A |
Global Poker is a generous platform with fantastic incentives for both newbies and regulars. Regular players can reap considerable rewards by participating in any of the four Global Poker Championships — Rattlesnake Open, Grizzly Games, The GOAT, and Eagle Cup.
Promotions & Bonus Assessment
Global Poker Casino-Style Games
Global Poker has an impressive collection of poker games for a social site. Whether you’re in the mood for Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi/Lo, Bounty Poker, Jackpot Sit’n’Go, or Crazy Pineapple, Global Poker has you covered. You can also participate in a variety of weekly tournaments as well as classic GP Championships like the GOAT, Rattlesnake Open, Grizzly Games, and Eagle Cup.
For some casino-style action, you can navigate to the Games Center and click on either Slots or Table Games. For a social poker site, Global Poker impressed me with its slots portfolio, modest as it is. There are about 30 titles, including a few from reputable providers like NetEnt and Relax Gaming.
Games and Software Review
| Our Top Picks | Starburst, Stampede Fury, and Omaha |
| Number of Slots | 30+ |
| Jackpot Games | 6+ |
| Table Games | 3+ |
| Other Gaming Options | Exclusives, Poker Tournaments |
| Gaming Vendors | NetEnt, Relax Gaming, Slotmill, G.Games, Reel Play, VGW |
One thing I loved about the Global Poker slots page was the mini-reviews available on most game titles. You can read a game’s description and learn about its features before you start playing. This was especially helpful for exclusive VGW Games, as you can’t find much information about them online. However, the site requires you to create an account to read them. You will also need an account to play demo versions of games, but you can view the platform’s entire offerings without registering.
The most notable title in the Global Poker slots library is the famous Starburst from NetEnt. Its 96.09% RTP and low volatility make it one of the best games to play on the site. There are other games with similar RTPs, like Western Gold (96.26%) from Just For the Win and Hypernova (96.09% RTP) from ReelPlay.
Global Poker’s operator, VGW, also develops games, and a few of their titles are available. The RTP on their slots averaged around 94%, but they feature appealing themes and fun gameplay. You can check out Stampede Fury; it comes with a 94% RTP and a bonus round that can reward you with up to 25 free spins.
The slots are grouped into New Releases, Hot Releases, Classic Slots, and Jackpot Slots. Each category is self-explanatory, and you can easily navigate them to find a slot that suits your taste.
Poker is the platform’s primary offering, and it gives you a chance to play for fun or win real money on a wide variety of poker variants. Aside from this and the substantial collection of tournaments available every day, I liked that Global Poker lets you host private games with friends. You will need 25,000 Gold Coins to set one of those up. And, you can earn more than bragging rights from your wins as the site offers the top three players tournament entries, including Jackpot Sit’n’Go tickets.
Global Poker is continually improving its poker portfolio and is one of the few poker sites online where you can enjoy variants like Crazy Pineapple and Omaha Hi/Lo.
I won’t dwell much on the table games section as there isn’t much to talk about. There are four games — two blackjack titles and two video poker games.
Games Assessment
Global Poker Banking
Let us start by reminding you that Global Poker is a sweepstakes site and doesn’t require payment to play. You’ll constantly be rewarded with no deposit bonuses and daily packages to keep the experience free. However, if you are ever low on Gold Coins and can’t wait for the next free reload, there’s a Coin Store where you can quickly make a purchase.
You can also redeem your Sweeps Coins, but you will need at least 50 SC in your wallet to submit a request. Players in the US can redeem their Sweeps Coins through gift cards, with only a 10 SC balance required.
Payment Options Review
| Global Poker Banking | Purchases | Redemptions | Average Redemption Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mastercard | Yes | No | - |
| Visa | Yes | No | - |
| American Express | Yes | No | - |
| Diners Club | Yes | No | - |
| Discover | Yes | No | - |
| Online Banking | Yes | Yes | 1–10 business days |
| Skrill | Yes | Yes | 1–10 business days |
You can always view your Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins balance in the top right corner of your screen. Next to the balance is the Get Coins button, which takes you to the Coin Store. This is where you go to purchase a GC package or redeem your SC prize. If you have a verified account, you can buy packages worth up to $12,000 in a 30-day period. The limit drops to $3,000 for non-verified users. Verified users will also enjoy a faster redemption processing time.
| Cost | Gold Coins | Sweeps Coins |
|---|---|---|
| $2 | 10,000 | - |
| $5 | 25,000 | 4 |
| $10 | 50,000 | 7 with 4x Uncommon Entry to Jackpot Sit’n’Go (SC) |
| $10 | 50,000 | 9 |
| $20 | 100,000 | 20 |
| $50 | 250,000 | 51 |
| $100 | 500,000 | 102 |
| $300 | 1,550,000 | 306 |
| $500 | 2,600,000 | 515 |
The cheapest Gold Coin package costs just $2, but unfortunately, it doesn’t come with any Sweeps Coins or tournament entries. Also, don’t forget the new user promo deal that includes 150,000 Gold Coins and 30 free Sweeps Coins on your first $10 purchase. Beyond that, the $10 package with 4x entries to the Jackpot Sit’n’Go (SC) and 7 SC is most valuable. You can participate in these tournaments and walk away with even bigger SC rewards.
Payments Assessment
Is Global Poker Legit?
While social gaming sites are not required to have licenses due to the nature of the services they offer, Global Poker does have one from the Malta Gaming Authority, in addition to the two licenses held by the platform’s operator, VGW Games Ltd. The company also has a solid reputation in the online gaming space.
VGW Games is behind popular brands like Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots, and it has also developed a decent selection of video slots. You can browse the Terms and Conditions page and discover details on just about everything regarding Global Poker.
The social casino doesn’t offer real money gambling services, and no purchase is necessary to play. You must also be in the US, excluding Connecticut, Idaho, Montana, Michigan, and Washington, to register an account. Canadians, except those residing in Quebec, can also enter.
Company and Safety Review
| Company | VGW Games Ltd |
| License | Malta Gaming Authority (#21228535) |
| RNG-tested Games | RNG iTech Labs certified |
| Age Restrictions | 18 (19 for Ontario players) |
| KYC Checks | Yes |
| Website Encryption | SSL protocols |
| Operating Since | 2016 |
Global Poker has a Responsible Social Gameplay Policy (RSG Policy) that features resources, information, and control tools for every player on the platform. Some of these tools include the Activity Reminder, which tells you how long you’ve been playing and can also suspend play; Transaction History, which shows you your purchase and redemption history for the past six months; and Limits, which lets you limit your purchases within a particular period.
There are more advanced responsible gambling tools, such as taking a break (TaB), which keeps you out of your account for a few days, self-exclusion for prolonged and indefinite breaks, and permanent account closure. All these tools are accessible through the Responsible Social Gameplay tab, where you can also find detailed information on problem gaming as well as contacts of relevant authorities that might help.
Safety Assessment & Trust Score
Global Poker Customer Support
Global Poker doesn’t have the standard live chat or phone support. You can contact the customer support team by submitting a request through the Help tab or via social media. X (formerly Twitter) users will need to subscribe before they can message Global Poker. Meanwhile, texting them on Facebook is always available, and I got a response in about six hours.
If you don’t have the patience, Global Poker has a robust help center with details on almost anything on the platform. You are more likely to find solutions if you check there and the FAQ page first. There are sections for account creation and verification, purchases, redemptions, account security and recovery, card room rules, poker hand rankings, and more.
Contacts Review
| Phone | N/A |
| support@globalpoker.com | |
| Live Chat | N/A |
| FAQ page | Yes |
| Other Contact Options | Facebook, X, and Help Center |
| Response Time | Under 24 hours |
Support Assessment
Global Poker UX
Global Poker features a simple dark theme with straightforward menus. You’ll have no problem locating the Register and Login button at the top right corner. After accessing your account, you can click the Tournaments and Promotions button to view the available bonuses and tournaments in a submenu. Next to it is the Games section, which the platform has divided into Poker and Casino Games. Then, you have the Winners Corner and Support tabs next.
Accessibility Review
| Apps | No |
| Mobile Casino | Yes |
| Mobile-Specific Features | None |
| Filtering Options | Casino: All, New Releases, Hot Releases, Classic, Jackpot, and Tables. Poker: Buy-in Size, Game Format, Game Type, and Limits. |
| Number of Mobile Games | 30+ |
| Aspects That Are Missing on Mobile | None |
UX Assessment
Global Poker Sister Sites
VGW Holdings has built up quite a reputation in the social gaming space with three successful platforms, namely Global Poker, Chumba Casino, and LuckyLand Slots Casino. All three of these sites are available in the same locations and have the same MGA license, but there are significant differences in their offerings and promotions.
For one, Chumba Casino has a much more extensive game portfolio than Global Poker, with over 200 casino-style games from a range of providers. You’ll even find bingo, slingo, and scratchcard titles on the site. LuckyLand Slots also boasts a more diverse game portfolio with 115+ titles, but it’s worth noting that neither offers live poker action.
Another area where these sites differ is promotions, with Chumba Casino offering the most rewards to new players. You can enjoy a no deposit bonus of 2,000,000 Gold Coins and 2 Sweeps Coins upon registration, which is far better than the 100,000 Gold Coins and 10 tournament entries available at Global Poker. LuckyLand Slots offers the most profitable sign-up bonus, offering up to 7,777 Gold Coins and 10 Sweep Coins for grabs after a successful registration.
Comparison
| Sites Like Global Poker | Games | Welcome Bonus | Apps | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Poker | 30+ | 100,000 GC + 10 tournament entries | No | Live poker games and tournaments |
| Chumba | 200+ | 2,000,000 GC + 2 SC | Yes (Lite version) | Wide range of jackpots and variety of payment options |
| Luckyland Slots | 115+ | 7,777 Gold Coins and 10 Sweep Coins | Yes (Android only) | Multiple casino-style slots, quality promotions, and an Android app |
How It Stacks Up
When it comes to sweepstakes platforms offering social poker services, ClubGG is one of Global Poker’s fiercest competitors. The major difference between the two is that ClubGG is a subscription-based platform. There’s the basic membership, which allows you to play with your friends for free. If you want to participate in tournaments, unlock unique game modes, and enjoy the platform’s full functionality, you must upgrade to either Standard or Platinum membership at $9.99 and $49.99, respectively.
Furthermore, ClubGG’s social casino library is even smaller than Global Poker’s. Even its poker collection is not as extensive, with games like Crazy Pineapple and Omaha Hi/Lo unavailable.
ClubGG has native apps for both mobile and desktop users. In fact, you have to download the app before you can use any of the platform’s features. Furthermore, traditional promotions and quality social casino offerings give Global Poker a significant edge. ClubWPT and Clubs Poker are other sites like Global Poker you might want to check out.
On the other hand, It’s difficult to compare Global Poker to established sweepstakes casinos like WOW Vegas, Stake.us, or Jackpota since they have significantly wealthier gaming libraries powered by far more renowned i-gaming devs, not to mention well-rounded VIP programs, rewards, and unique challenges.
Our Experts Verdict
Global Poker is one of the leading platforms for fans of social poker who want to participate in large pool tournaments and host private games with their friends. There’s also a modest online casino section where you can take a break from poker action and try your luck on a handful of slots and table games.
I also love the range of promotions, including welcome, first-purchase, and mail-in bonuses, and the four Global Poker Championships, which are also great ways for players to win massive rewards.
Nevertheless, the lack of phone support and live chat isn’t ideal, and the fact that it might take up to ten days for players to receive their redemption rewards is another issue. Overall, Global Poker is a safe and licensed sweepstakes platform that mainly poker fans will enjoy.
FAQs
Is Global Poker legit?
Is Global Poker available in the US?
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Author: Jon Ridehalgh
Updated:
