PokerStars closed the account immediately after I was transferred a money

The Pokerstars platform accepted my Paysafe voucher deposit via the app and online, then immediately closed my account and started requesting personal information and documents: passport, phone number, even a utility bill. Why does this happen after the deposit, not before? Why is playing free tournaments allowed without verification, but money triggers extortion?

This is not just a personal story — it is a warning about online scams that should alert every online poker and online gambling player.

In this article, I reveal my experience, ask key questions, and draw attention to a system that can exploit users — especially those in distress. If you’ve ever played on PokerStars or are thinking about it, then you need to read this.

PokerStars Slovenia (pokerstar.com, pokerstars.eu, pokerstars.si…) a platform with questionable status, was banned in Slovenia back in 2012 following a decision by the Administrative Court, which ruled on a proposal by the Office for the Supervision of Gambling (UNPIS). Pokerstars has been trying to return to Slovenia through dubious channels for years. With the help of software and technical solutions, it has once again managed to reach Slovenian players, but the stories behind the games, in terms of personal data and transaction abuse, are even more suspicious than they were a decade ago. I can confirm this myself.

My story begins quite innocently—with a desire to relax and have some fun playing online poker. PokerStars allowed me to play free tournaments without any verification. But when I decided to play a paid tournament and deposited money via Paysafe card, everything changed.

Some time ago, after a long break, I logged back into my old PokerStars account. I played a few free tournaments (freerolls), and everything worked smoothly. No warnings, no requests for documents. But when I decided to play in a paid tournament and transferred money via Paysafe card, everything changed.

Account closed. Money gone

Immediately after the transfer, my account was blocked. No prior warning. No possibility of playing. And only then did the administrative ordeal begin: requests for my passport, phone number, even utility bills. Let’s not forget: this is a platform that is illegal in Slovenia. And now this same platform is demanding my most intimate personal information — after the transfer.

The key question

Why didn’t they ask me for this information before the transfer? Why was playing free tournaments allowed without verification, but money triggers extortion?
PokerStars did not want to answer this question. In my communication with their support team, I only received generic answers that went around in circles. No responsibility. No explanation.
So I asked them about a gambling license in Slovenia

And all was quiet, except for their identical demands to the previous ones.

The conversation via email – one of the absurd demands that Pokerstars’ thugs wanted to extort

Personal document – A clear photo of a valid personal document with a picture or passport issued by a state authority (front and back)
Proof of address – A recent utility bill or bank statement clearly showing your full name, current address, and date of issue (no older than 3 months). Instead of a utility bill, we will accept a landline phone bill, pay stub, or insurance bill that includes your full name, current address, and date of issue. We cannot accept personal letters, screenshots of mobile devices, or online bank statements from online banks such as Revolut, Monese, Monzo, Atom, N26, Pockit Ltd, etc. as proof of address.
If you only receive your bank statements online, you can send us a screenshot of your statement, making sure that your credit/debit card or bank account number, your current address, your name, and a recent date are clearly visible. The screenshot must cover the entire screen, as the URL (website address) must be visible. (source)

Warning to all users

Although the sums involved are not large, it is a matter of principle. This is essential:

The platform allows gambling without verification
It accepts money without warning
It then requests personal documents, which it can misuse
And it offers no guarantee of a refund
It does not identify itself with a license
This is not just an unpleasant experience — it is a system that can exploit people in distress who risk their last savings in the hope of making a profit.

What can we do?

Do not transfer money to platforms that are not legal in your country. Ask for clarification before transferring money. Save all communication and documentation.

Warn others — as I am doing now!