poker
THE MONEYMAKER TOUR HEADS TO BIRTHPLACE OF THE ORIGINAL POKER BOOM WITH NEW LAS VEGAS STOP
MGM Grand to host Moneymaker Tour guaranteeing over $1.3 million in prize pools
Twenty one years after Chris Moneymaker sparked the poker boom, The Moneymaker Tour is heading to Las Vegas, the tour announced today.
An agreement with MGM Grand Hotel & Casino will see the Tour’s first edition in the city that witnessed the original arrival of its founder to the poker scene. The Moneymaker Tour will join the summer poker action in Las Vegas from June 28 to July 6 at MGM Grand with a series guarantee of $1.3 million across six trophy events.
The feature event of the stop will be the $1,700 Main Event which boasts a $1 million guarantee and will run from July 3 – July 6. MGM Grand will host its third Summer Poker festival starting May 29 and feature 39 trophy events and over $3.7 million in total guarantees (including the Moneymaker Tour week).
“Las Vegas is the beating heart of the poker world. It’s where the game’s legends and stories, including Chris’, have been made,” said Tony Burns, Executive Manager. “To host an event in the same city that Chris won the 2003 Main Event in is a full circle moment. We are excited to partner with MGM Grand this Summer and look forward to being a part of their festival on June 28th thru July 6th. The Moneymaker Tour was created in 2023 by 2003 WSOP Champion and ACR Team Pro, Chris Moneymaker and Moneymaker Tour Executive Manager, Tony Burns.”
The Tour was conceived as a way for Moneymaker to give poker players opportunities to have their own ordinary to extraordinary moments as he did. Since its inception, there have been seven events in locations such as Florida, Cincinnati, Houston and Ohio.
Steven Pique, MGM Grand’s Director of Poker, said, “Our 2024 Summer Poker Festival kicks off later this month and we look forward to hosting the Moneymaker Tour in our MGM Grand Poker room. The main event will culminate with a No Limit Hold ‘em $1 million guarantee, one of the highest we’ve offered our tournament players. Chris Moneymaker embodies the spirit of poker through his tireless efforts and positive contributions to this great game.”
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has taken strict action against nine online casinos, issuing cease-and-desist letters for violations of state gaming laws. The affected websites offer a range of casino-style games, such as slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps, as well as betting services for sporting events and horse races.
The following operators have been issued cease-and-desist orders:
BetAnySports (BAS)
CoolCat Casino
Diamond Sportsbook International, d/b/a BetDSI.eu (BetDSI)
Solar Game LTD and Busan Trade Office (Go Go Gold)
My Dreams Casino
NonStop casino
Palace of Chance
Xbet Casino
WagerWeb
“These unlicensed operators are not only in violation of Michigan’s laws but also pose significant risks to consumers by offering limited and often unreliable withdrawal options. Our role is to protect Michigan residents by ensuring that all online gambling activities are carried out legally and responsibly. These operators have 14 days to cease their illegal activities or face further legal action,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams.
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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.
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.
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.
- 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.
FAQs
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Welcoming 2025 in spectacular style, Natural8 India has announced its latest India Exclusive, Natural8 India X APT Manila Classic 2025, to the delight of poker enthusiasts across the country. The multi-table tournament, scheduled to take place on January 19, will offer participants a chance to fight for the massive event prize pool and the glory of winning a prestigious APT Trophy. But that’s not all, for nine finalists will also secure an all-expense paid trip to participate in APT Manila – competing for the grand prize at a grand stage with some of the sharpest poker players in all of Asia!
With a buy-in of only INR 5,500, Natural8 India X APT Manila Classic 2025 will offer flight and stay packages for nine finalists, worth up to INR 100,000 each, for the upcoming APT Manila Classic. In addition, the top four finalists will secure a Main Event ticket worth INR 90,000 each at APT Manila Classic 2025, while the other five will win Mini Main Event tickets worth INR 37,000 each. The tournament also has various satellites running daily from January 12 to January 19, with a buy-in of just INR 550.
Speaking on the upcoming India Exclusive, Kunal Patni, Executive Director and Country Head – Natural8 India, said, “2024 was a spectacular year for Natural8 India and the broader Indian poker community. Throughout the year, we saw a strong response to the various India Exclusives, which not only nurtured the country’s growing poker landscape but also connected poker enthusiasts to the broader Asian poker scene on a more consistent basis. We took 23 players to various APT events in 2024 through these India Exclusive APT events. With the Natural8 India X APT Manila Classic 2025, we expect a similarly stellar response, especially with mega bonus on offer worth up to INR 15 lakh. Our latest India Exclusive will set the tone for the rest of the year and give poker enthusiasts and professional players across the country a chance to start 2025 on a bang!”
The post Natural8 India welcomes 2025 in style with Natural8 India X APT Manila Classic 2025 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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