Is Global Poker Legit? Here's Why I Gave it 7.5/10

You've probably heard the whispers about Global Poker, and maybe seen some flashy ads promising poker thrills without the wallet-weeping losses. But talk is cheap in the Wild West of online social casinos, and glitz can be deceiving.

So, is Global Poker worth your time, or is it just another digital mirage shimmering on the horizon? Here’s my unfiltered take after grinding tables and testing every corner of this sweepstakes casino.

Closed for Business in 6 States

First things first, Global Poker isn’t available everywhere. You're out of luck if you’re in Connecticut, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, or Washington. It’s like being carded at the door, annoying, but rules are rules. For everyone else, you should be 21+ to play.

Here's my Pro Tip: They use geolocation tools tighter than a pickle jar lid. If you are trying to VPN your way in, DON'T. I once accidentally left my VPN on and got a warning faster than my mom spotting dirty dishes. Play fair, folks.

Monopoly Money vs. Golden Tickets

Global Poker uses a dual-currency system, which might sound a bit like a foreign exchange market at first, but it's quite simple. You have Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC).

Imagine Gold Coins as chips at a casino just for fun, they let you jump into the Standard Play games, and enjoy the poker tables and slots, but they can't be redeemed for anything real. They're purely for entertainment, like playing with Monopoly money, but way more fun!

Then there are Sweeps Coins (SC). These are your golden tickets! Think of them as entries into sweepstakes promotions. When you play Promotional Play games with Sweeps Coins, you have the chance to win more SC, and these are the ones you can redeem for actual prizes, like gift cards or cash.

Here’s the twist though, you can't just buy Sweeps Coins directly. SCs are bonuses when you buy Gold Coins through other promotions, or even by sending in a postcard. It’s like getting bonus entries in a raffle when you buy something. Sweepstakes currencies are a clever system that keeps things fun and within the rules.

Are There Any Bonuses and Promotions?

The freebies at Global Poker are quite a mixed bag. Upon signing up and verifying your account, you'll receive a Welcome Bonus of 100,000 GC + 10 tournament entries. Decent, but Chumba Casino’s 2 million GC welcome eclipses this.

For serious players, grab the First Purchase Bonus which triples your GC. Buy $10? Get 150,000 GC + 30 SC. Quite a solid deal.

Then they have a Daily Login Bonus where you can win 2,500 GC + 1 SC. It’s like feeding a Tamagotchi—rewarding but low stakes. Lastly, you can mail a postcard and get 5 free SC, quirky but still free money! 

Downside? No VIP program and No Referral Bonus 👎. 

While other social casinos are rolling out their red carpets to loyal players, Global Poker is too stingy to give back. 

Just Pokers and Some Slots

Surely it's all poker games here, quite a solid variety I must say. Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Bounty Poker- you name it, they have it. The tournaments (Sunday Scrimmage, Golden Rush) are electric. I once placed 3rd in a micro-tourney and felt like a WSOP finalist... until I remembered the prize was 20 SC.

Slots?  A meager 30-ish titles. Yes, Starburst is there, and some NetEnt and Relax Gaming names pop up, but it feels… thin. 

Table games? Only Blackjack and video poker🥱 . If you're here for slots, better back off. It's a Poker platform, anyway.

Purchasing & Redemption: Fast Deposits, Slow Payouts

Buying Gold Coins is fast enough and they accept major credit cards, Skrill, and online banking. No complaints there. The "Get Coins" button is prominent, the process is easy, and invoices are clear, so far, so good.

Redemption of Sweeps Coins, however, is where things get a bit… less smooth. Payout methods? Gift cards ( low 10 SC minimum), online banking, and Skrill. Okay, decent enough. Processing time?  "1-10 business days," often quoted as "within 48 hours" by customer support. Ten business days in the age of instant transactions? Feels… glacial. Imagine winning a poker tournament and then having to wait up to two weeks to see your winnings. It dries out the excitement, doesn't it?

So while the process is legit, and people do get paid, the redemption speed is a major drawback. For beginners expecting quick payouts, or those used to faster redemption times at other platforms, this slow processing is a significant point of friction. Patience, it seems, is a virtue you'll need in spades when it comes to cashing out at Global Poker.

Simple and Too Boring UX 

Don't get me wrong, I like simple UX design, but not like Global Poker. The overall website feels too Gen X which my Uncle Bon would surely love. It's clean yes, but I see too many words than actions, I mean games.

Finding poker tables is straightforward, which is a plus. There is no dedicated mobile app though, but the mobile version is also good. Loading speed? Generally good, pages load quickly, and games run smoothly. 

Is the UX bad? Nope, functional and gets the job done, but it lacks that extra polish or innovation that makes a platform truly stand out.

Where is Customer Support? MIA

No live chat or phone. Submitting a ticket feels like sending a message in a bottle. They replied in 6 hours via Facebook, but come on, even my local pizza joint has live chat. Okay so here are their X account and Instagram page in case you have some issues.

Is Global Poker Legit? 

Compared to many unregulated or less transparent social casinos, Global Poker stands out as a more trustworthy option. Owned by VGW Games Ltd. and established in 2016.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license, in particular, is a significant plus. However, remember the dual-currency system and the indirect nature of "purchasing" sweepstakes entries.

While technically legal as a sweepstakes, it operates in a gray area that some players might find ethically… ambiguous. Legit legally? Likely yes. Legit in terms of absolute transparency and straightforwardness of its sweepstakes model? That's a bit more nuanced. Do your due diligence, but on the surface, Global Poker presents itself as a more reputable and safer option than many social casino alternatives.

Responsible gaming tools like self-exclusion, and deposit limits are there, but the constant “You’ve played for 1 hour!” pop-ups felt like a nagging aunt.

Final Verdict: 7.5/10

In my opinion, Global Poker is a somewhat specialized, social casino. It's a powerhouse for poker players, no doubt. Who’s it for? Poker junkies who want tournaments without real-money stakes. Who should skip? Slot lovers or folks craving instant support.

The Good:

• Poker-First Players: If you prioritize poker above all else, and are willing to tolerate the platform's shortcomings, it's a strong choice.
• Players Seeking Legitimacy: The MGA license and VGW backing offer a higher degree of trust than many competitors

The Bad:

• Casino games = afterthought.
• Redemption wait times = medieval.
• Support? More like supposedly.

If Global Poker were a party, it’s the one with a killer DJ but only serves tap water. My rating? 7.5/10. It's good, even very good for poker. But it's not a top-tier, all-around social casino experience.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a postcard to mail… 🎴💌