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World Series of Poker Unveils Complete Daily Event Schedule for 2023

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The richest, most prestigious and longest-running poker series – the World Series of Poker® (WSOP®) – announced the daily event schedule for its 2023 tournament, which is shaping up to be the biggest and best WSOP of all time with a tournament schedule poised to shatter previous records. The 54th annual WSOP returns to the Las Vegas Strip at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas from May 30 to July 18, 2023, offering more tables, more variety and the largest slate of bracelet events ever scheduled in its rich history.

The 2023 WSOP builds on the momentum of a 2022 tournament that saw 197,626 entrants from more than 100 countries and a record-breaking $347.9 million total prize pool in its new home. This summer’s event will feature the biggest capacity in series history with 608 tables spread across more than 200,000 square feet of convention space, 24/7 live cash game action including a brand-new permanent World Series of Poker Hall of Fame® Poker Room, and the first-ever $300 price point tournament in WSOP history.

The centerpiece of the summer will be the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship, best known as “The Main Event®,” which returns July 3-17 following 2022’s 8,663 entrants, the second-largest field in the history of live poker.

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“With the momentum generated from the WSOP’s debut on the Las Vegas Strip last year, we expect a record-breaking WSOP and World Championship at Paris and Horseshoe Las Vegas in 2023,” said Ty Stewart, SVP & Executive Director of the WSOP. “If the Main Event is on your bucket list, this is the year to get to Vegas.”

After falling just short of the Main Event record in 2022, organizers have put together a vast new series of promotions under the theme of “Main Event Mania” to eclipse the record field set in 2006, including:

600 Main Event Seats Guaranteed from GGPoker: The world’s biggest poker room and exclusive WSOP satellite partner GGPoker has stepped up to offer 500 guaranteed Main Event seats on GGPoker through international qualifiers and another 100 seats on the ClubGG.net subscription site. The 600 total seats or $6,000,000 in prize pool represents an increase that more than doubles GGPoker’s official qualifiers from the 2022 series. Online satellites will begin in March.

Main Event Mania at Casinos Worldwide: 2023 will see the WSOP’s first-ever Global Qualification Weekend on May 20-21 at live poker rooms on five continents around the world. Just before the start of the WSOP in Las Vegas, poker rooms around the globe will join forces to offer Guaranteed Seat satellite tournaments to send players to the 2023 Main Event. Each poker room will offer a “step” tournament at a $140 buy-in and a culminating mega of $1,175 awarding a guaranteed seat and travel stipend to Las Vegas.

Additional hosts will be announced, but resorts already committed to hosting Main Event Mania the weekend of May 20-21 in the United States include Harrah’s Cherokee, Horseshoe Las Vegas, Horseshoe Tunica, Horseshoe St. Louis, Harrah’s Pompano, Turning Stone Casino, Hard Rock Tulsa, Grand Victoria Casino (Elgin, Ill.) and Horseshoe Council Bluffs. International partners, spanning four different continents, confirmed to host “Main Event Mania” include: King’s Resort (Czech Republic), Club Pierre Charron Paris (France), Deerfoot Inn & Casino Calgary (Canada), Enjoy Punta del Este Resort and Casino (Uruguay), and Casino Es Saadi Marrakech (Morocco).

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WSOP’s 112 Seat Sprint: As the poker world descends upon Las Vegas, WSOP becomes the best place to qualify for the 2023 Main Event. From June 25 to July 8, a whopping 112 Main Event seats will be guaranteed on WSOP Online. The sprint to the record will begin on Sunday, June 25 with 10 seats being guaranteed per day. The centerpiece $250,000 guarantee, 25 Seat Scramble highlights the festivities and will take place on Sunday, July 2. The effort culminates with a last-chance drawing for the final seat in the Main Event on Saturday, July 8. In addition, “All-In” satellites from $80 to $126 will run daily from June 25 to July 8 with no fees.

WSOP Online Bracelet Events: Popular WSOP Online Bracelet events are back, including every Sunday during the summer, with three special “Double Up Bracelet Days” on June 4, June 25, and July 9. The schedule is highlighted by exciting events including the $500 Summer Saver, a $3,200 High Roller, and the signature $1,000 NLHE Online Championship. New events also include a $300 Summer Kick-Off and a $5,300 High Roller Championship Event that will have the final table played live in Las Vegas slated during WSOP Online’s Championship Week.

Main Event for Life: If the Main Event record is broken, all entrants in the field will be placed into a drawing that awards a non-transferrable Main Event buy-in for the next 30 years. The drawing will utilize each player’s Caesars Rewards number and would be held on Saturday, July 8.

Horseshoe Las Vegas is hosting the WSOP for the first time since its rebrand from Bally’s Las Vegas, symbolizing the series’ return to its roots, as the first-ever tournament was hosted at Las Vegas’ original Horseshoe in 1970. As an ode to this legacy, the resort recently opened a first-of-its-kind WSOP Hall of Fame Poker room which will host select WSOP tournaments during this summer’s series and soon feature a WSOP Hall of Fame exhibit as an homage to the legendary players and the iconic trophies of the sport.

Daily Deep Stack tournaments will once again run every day from June 1 to July 17, with buy-ins ranging from $200 to $400. In addition, Daily Mega Satellites will happen from May 31 to July 14 with buy-ins starting at $135 and topping off at $25,000. The WSOP main cage will again be placed at Paris Las Vegas while the TV set staging for the Final Table will be at Horseshoe Las Vegas as the two buildings are connected and share a parking garage.

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CBS Sports returns for a third season as broadcast partner of the WSOP with daily streaming also available on PokerGo. More details on bracelet events and 2023 Main Event coverage will be announced soon.

When booking early, entrants of the WSOP bracelet events can enjoy reduced hotel room rates at Horseshoe and Paris, as well as all Caesars Entertainment resorts in Las Vegas by using the special advanced booking code “WSOP23”. Rates are based on availability and are subject to change.

New and Noteworthy:

WSOP’s Tournament of Champions Moves to Kickoff Week: May 31-June 2 – The $1,000,000 freeroll Tournament of Champions is back but is now positioned at the beginning of the schedule. The 2023 field will be limited to those winning a WSOP Circuit ring at a live event or during a GGPoker.net online circuit from July 20, 2022 to May 22, 2023, as well as winners from WSOP Online 2022 and WSOP Europe 2022. Registration for the 2023 Tournament of Champions will open on Tuesday, May 30 at 9:00 a.m. and 2023 bracelet winners will be eligible for the 2024 tournament.

$1,000 Buy-In Mystery Millions: May 31-June 5 – A fan-favorite from 2022, the $1,000 Million Dollar Bounty returns as Mystery Millions but with a guaranteed first place and a guaranteed $1,000,000 top bounty. Featuring a mystery bounty for up to $1 million that players draw for, this begins as a regular tournament with those who advance to day two claiming the bounty of players they knock out. Each player who knocks someone out also gets an additional prize bounty.

$300 Buy-In Gladiators of Poker – An event for everyone with the most affordable price point on this year’s schedule and it offers a $3,000,000 guaranteed prize pool.

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Key Operational Notes:

Online Registration: To avoid queues and congestion, WSOP encourages players to utilize the online/mobile registration process to sign-up for events, allowing players to register and pay online. WSOP uses BravoPokerLive to manage online/mobile registrations. Players who register online will need to visit the Champagne Ballroom located in the Le Centre Des Conventions in Paris Las Vegas and have their identification validated. Once verified, players can simply pick event(s) online via Bravo, utilize the self-service kiosks located throughout the Paris and Horseshoe convention centers to print their seat cards, and go directly to their table. Registration will open in May. WSOP will announce to the public when it is live.

In-Person Registration: The main registration area will be located in the Champagne Ballroom with more stations added to both the main registration and VIP cages. Hours of operation begin Tuesday, May 30 at 9:00 a.m. and will remain open 24 hours a day non-stop through Tuesday, July 18. Guests are required to present valid photo identification, along with their Caesars Rewards card and payment to enter events.

Caesars Rewards (CR): The location will be in the Champagne Ballroom near the main and VIP registration cages for players to obtain loyalty cards. Caesars Rewards kiosks will also be available for players to reprint their card without having to visit a CR representative.

Methods of Payment for WSOP Events: Cash, credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express), ACH, wire transfers or cashier’s checks drawn from the registrant’s accredited bank account and made out to Participant or Paris, Paris or Horseshoe gaming chips, Paris Tournament Buy-In Chips, or Tournament Buy-In Credit are all acceptable forms of payment for 2023 WSOP. Additional fees will be incurred on all ACH/credit/debit card transactions. Participants using credit/debit cards must have a valid ID that matches the cardholder’s name present on the credit card used for the transaction.

WSOP Tournament Account: Players can wire in funds for WSOP events or place money on account when they arrive. After setting up an account at the WSOP Main Cage in the Champagne Ballroom, the player will have the option to register online or via mobile device for WSOP tournaments with the funds used to initiate the account and simply print seat card(s) at one of the kiosks – avoiding the need to use the registration line to enter events.

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Payouts – Players collect their winnings at the WSOP Main Cage in the Champagne Ballroom. Players can request one of the following methods of payment: cash, wire transfer, casino chips, check, or tournament account deposit. Those who have a Bravo Tournament Buy-In Account can direct funds back to their account.

International Players Applying for an ITIN: International players are required to bring an additional form of identification that shows residential address, such as a signed lease agreement, a utility bill or a mobile phone bill.

Satellites for WSOP gold bracelet events have begun on WSOP and will run continuously through the event. Outside the U.S., the WSOP has deepened its partnership with GGPoker who has exclusivity to run satellite packages to the WSOP. More details to be announced soon.

Deposits for WSOP will now be located just past the Payouts & Player Services in the Champagne Ballroom, which were previously located at the Rio in the Lambada Room.

To view important details about this year’s event, visit WSOP. This page will be live leading up to and during the event, where players can find all relevant information about the WSOP. Structure sheets for each individual event are expected to be posted on WSOP beginning in March.

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Players must bring with them valid government-issued picture identification with current residential address, as well as a secondary form of ID (like a bill or statement confirming address). Players residing outside the United States must have a valid passport, in addition to another form of credible identification that includes address information.

The schedule, events, start times, end times and locations of events are subject to change. Tournament chips have no cash value. Winners will be required to provide a valid picture ID. Tax forms will be completed for those with winnings in excess of $5,000 net of event buy-in. Players without a Tax Identification Number and foreign players from non-tax treaty countries are subject to up to 30 percent tax withholding.

WSOP reserves the right to cancel, change or modify the tournament or any tournament event, in part or in whole, without notice.

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Conferences

Meridianbet CEO Showcases GMGI’s $163M FY2024 Revenue, USA & Brazil Entry at ICR 2025 Conference

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In a packed room at the prestigious ICR 2025 Conference held in Orlando, FL, Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet, captivated the audience of elite investors with GMGI’s remarkable growth story and series of strategic market entries that position the company for significant value creation in 2025 and beyond. The company also led the conference with the highest number of one-on-one investor meetings, signaling strong interest in its growth trajectory.

The world-class event, also known as the financial market Super Bowl, is recognized as the planet’s premier small and medium-cap conference for US listed companies. It brought together over 3,000 attendees, including institutional investors, sell-side analysts, investment bankers, and private equity professionals.

This builds on the success at the 2024 Citi Global TMT Conference, when the company shared insights alongside industry giants like DraftKings, FanDuel, and IBM.

61% Year-Over-Year Growth Positions GMGI as Gaming Industry Leader

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The world’s elite investment audience found out a compelling history of growth: GMGI’s preliminary FY 2024 revenue surged 61% year-over-year to $150 million, with pro forma consolidated revenue reaching $163 million.

This exceptional growth trajectory, driven by strategic market expansions and technological innovation, showcases GMGI’s emerging dominance in the global gaming landscape.

Brazil: A Game-Changing Market Entry

In what could prove to be a transformative catalyst, Meridianbet secured a coveted federal license in Brazil – a market projected to reach $2.5-4 billion annually. With instant access to over 100 million potential customers across all 26 states, this strategic move positions GMGI to capture substantial market share in one of the world’s most lucrative gaming opportunities.

North American Expansion Accelerates

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The Group’s momentum in North America exemplifies its multi-market growth strategy:

  • Strategic entry into the rapidly expanding U.S. sweepstakes gaming market, leveraging proprietary content from Expanse Studios
  • Pending gaming license in Ontario, Canada’s largest regulated market
  • Deployment of AI-driven gaming solutions to maximize player engagement and retention

 

GMGI’s Unified Ecosystem: A Competitive Moat

Meridianbet CEO showcased how the Group’s six synergistic companies create a formidable competitive advantage, presenting to investors a unique ecosystem:

  • Meridianbet’s presence in 18 regulated jurisdictions, powered by 1,200+ employees including 100 software engineers
  • Expanse Studios’ proprietary game development driving high-margin revenue lowering the reliance on third-party content
  • Strategic assets across key growth markets: Mexplay in South America, Rkings in the UK, and Classics for a Cause in Australia

2025: Multiple Growth Catalysts Ahead

The confluence of strategic initiatives positions GMGI for accelerated growth:

  • Brazil market ramp-up expected to drive substantial revenue expansion
  • Proprietary AI technology deployment enhancing player monetization
  • First-mover advantages in newly regulated markets
  • Continued margin expansion through operational efficiencies

For investors seeking exposure to the explosive growth in global gaming, GMGI represents a unique opportunity: a proven operator with proprietary technology, multiple growth vectors, and strategic positioning in the world’s most promising gaming markets.

The post Meridianbet CEO Showcases GMGI’s $163M FY2024 Revenue, USA & Brazil Entry at ICR 2025 Conference appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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eSports

Shaping the Future of Esports: ICE Esports Arena provides essential insights

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The ICE Esports Arena at ICE Barcelona 2025 plays a key role in educating people about esports and how to access, integrate and regulate this growing vertical, says Clarion Gaming’s leader in Emerging Technology and Esports.

“Part of the role of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference is explaining exactly what esports is,” said Will Harding. “There is still work to be done in helping regulators to better understand esports. That’s why showcasing esports here at ICE is so important – we’re empowering people who are at the forefront of shaping regulatory policy.”

The ICE Esports Arena continues to grow year-on-year, with four world-ranked professional Counter-Strike 2 teams competing live at ICE 2025 for a US$25,000 prize pool. This year’s winners were 500 (Bulgaria: World ranking: 47).

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“In terms of attendees, we have a whole spectrum of people here, from those that are still shocked that computer games have anything to do with sports betting to those that have built incredible businesses around esports,” Harding continued.

“There are also a number of visitors who realise that esports is significant for their business in terms of revenue but don’t necessarily know how to access this vertical, and we’re here to guide them toward unlocking its full potential.

“But the one thing which is absolutely certain is that esports betting is here to stay and it’s going to continue to grow”

He also praised headline partners, esports betting experts Oddin.gg, for their contribution in helping explain why esports is such a commercially important vertical for operators.

“Oddin.gg has been an excellent partner in realising the Esports Arena. Holding a professional esports tournament is a big endeavour. As our headline sponsor, Oddin.gg has played a key role in showcasing how the data and the odds work. They have helped complete the education journey,” he affirmed.

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Commenting on ICE’s move to Barcelona, Harding highlighted that both the city and the show’s new venue Fira Barcelona Gran Via have extensive experience with esports, providing a perfect location for the ICE Esports Arena’s continuing expansion.

“It’s very established here. You can walk around Barcelona and see large-scale internet cafes catering for esports fans,” he added. “This represents an ideal foundation for the continued growth of the Esports Arena and The Esports and Games Conference in the years ahead.”

The post Shaping the Future of Esports: ICE Esports Arena provides essential insights appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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The Impact of Seminole Tribe Casinos on Florida’s Poker Economy

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The Impact of Seminole Tribe Casinos on Florida's Poker Economy

 

Native American tribes have autonomy on land casinos in various US states. One of them is the Seminole Tribe of Florida, a leading participant in Florida’s poker economy. In fact, the Sunshine State is one of the country’s easy-going centers for enjoying poker gaming.

Moreover, the native Indian community set the standard of excellence for poker operations. The tribe’s values go beyond offering a high-standard poker gaming experience. These tribal poker rooms are integral in creating employment or financial revenue.

A Brief History of the Seminole Tribe’s Casino Operations

In 1979, the Seminole Tribe of Florida set the benchmark in state gaming by opening the first high-stakes bingo hall in the US called Seminole Classic Casino. In the 1990s, they expanded into casino-type gaming by invoking tribal sovereignty through the IGRA (Indian Gaming Regulatory Act).

With the change of the law in Florida in 2003, poker became the dominant gaming activity in the state. Fast forward to this day, the Seminole Tribe operates seven casinos across the state. They also host world-class poker tournaments like the World Poker Tour (WPT) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood.

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Seminole Casinos as a Catalyst for Florida’s Poker Scene

The Seminole Tribe’s casinos notably influence Florida’s poker gaming market. The availability of various poker versions in these casinos further entices several casual and professional players. Hosting championship-level tournament events is an additional attraction among the residents.

The Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open offers millions of guaranteed prize pools, marking Florida’s status as a poker hot spot. The tribe is popular for operating high-quality facilities and providing unmatched services. Hence, it’s one of the key factors that boomed poker tourism in Florida.

How Does Poker Revenue Through Native Tribal Casinos Impact Florida’s Economy?

Seminole casinos are one of the prime sources of Florida’s economy. According to a SunSenital report, the gaming operators of the Seminole Tribe contributed around $4.43 billion to Florida in 2024.

Such massive revenue boosts the state’s job market, with thousands of Florida dealers, managers, and support personnel working in poker rooms. It also leads to financial growth for Florida’s hospitality industry as many tourists visit these tribal casinos to enjoy poker gaming legally.

Besides, the revenue-sharing agreements between the Seminole Tribe and the state facilitate billions for various public services, including education, infrastructure, and health.

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It’s fair to say the Sunshine State enjoys various economic benefits through tribal poker room facilities.

Competition Between Online and In-Person Poker in Florida

The increasing number of online poker rooms creates opportunities and challenges for Florida’s tribal poker segment. The poker landscape remains in the good graces of straight-down-the-line people with the tribal casinos.

However, technology redefined the expectations of poker lovers. The advent of online platforms targets young generations who want to gamble from the comfort of their couches.

Live poker maintains the ambiance of an in-person social aspect of poker rooms. The adrenaline rush of a live tournament provides a nearly similar experience to online players. The online gambling room also allows you to choose from various poker styles. Plus, there are lucrative bonuses that offer extra credits to players to play more.

The Challenges of Maintaining a Thriving Poker Ecosystem

There are also a couple of challenges faced by Seminole casino operators. Let’s check them out.

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  • Competition from Neighboring States: Since other states also have relaxed tribal gambling rules, Florida has to innovate in its poker market to remain competitive. That’s the only way to lure attention away from potential tourists and players.
  • Technological Adaptation: With the rising popularity of online platforms, Florida must find a way to adopt innovative trends.

Thus, competition is cut-throat, and the Seminole tribe has to follow suit to maintain the market hold.

Exploring the Best Online Poker Sites in Florida 

If Floridians want to try online poker, they can sign up on regulated offshore casino sites. Here are the best online poker sites Florida residents can visit.

Bovada Casino

Known for its user-centric interface, Bovada Casino offers various poker options, such as Texas Hold ’em and Omaha. It also hosts low-stake tables, which make it popular with casual players.

Ignition Casino

This site offers low-buy-in games that cater specifically to newbies. For instance, players can use “Zone Poker” to fold and immediately switch to a new one. Moreover, there’s a generous welcome bonus to claim free credits.

ACR Poker

A one-stop destination to participate in high-stakes tournaments with larger prize pools for experienced players. You can also download its mobile app to play poker on the go.

Juicy Stakes

Launched in 2013, it’s another excellent option for Floridian poker buffs. You’ll receive an exclusive poker bonus on this site. This online casino site also accepts payments via cryptocurrencies.

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FAQs

  1. What role does the Seminole Tribe play in Florida’s poker industry?

The Seminole Tribe legally operates various casinos and poker rooms in the state. They also organize high-stakes tournaments that add enormous funds to the state’s taxes. These revenues amount to billions yearly from the overall gaming operations on the Tribe’s land.

  1. Is online poker legal in Florida?

No state-regulated online poker platforms exist in Florida. However, residents can access offshore sites that follow the regulations of the operating jurisdiction.

  1. Which are the famous Seminole Tribe’s casinos?

You can visit Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Seminole Classic Casino, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, and Seminole Casino Coconut Creek.

Final Words

The casinos under the Seminole Tribe of Florida became the backbone of the poker market. From locals to tourists, everyone visits these casino floors to play this classic table game. Thus, the tribe’s in-person poker rooms significantly improved Florida’s economic revenue.

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