BetMGM Announces Return of Poker Championship in Las Vegas
BetMGM has confirmed the return of its highly anticipated BetMGM Poker Championship to ARIA Resort & Casino. This no-limit hold 'em tournament will take place from June 30 to July 4, 2025, with a $3,500 buy-in and a $3 million guaranteed prize pool.
For the fourth year in a row, the BetMGM Poker Championship will begin in ARIA's Poker Room and conclude with a live-streamed Final Table at the PokerGO Studios. The ARIA Poker Classic runs from May 29 to July 13, with a full schedule available at ARIA Poker on X. Let’s uncover the latest details and what poker fans can expect.
A Premier Poker Event in the Heart of Vegas
The BetMGM Poker Championship, which debuted in 2022, has gradually grown to become one of Las Vegas' largest poker events. The inaugural BetMGM Poker Championship attracted 343 entries and featured a $1 million guaranteed prize pool. Joey Weissman received $224,236 as the first-place prize.
The following year, Leo Taffe won $560,442 in an event with 1,026 entries and a $3,283,200 prize pool. Last year, there were a record 1,141 entries, with a $3,651,200 prize pool. In the blast event, Daniel Maor won $613,914.
This year, BetMGM and ARIA hope to improve the experience by combining their off-the-grid access with the excitement of Vegas. According to BetMGM's VP of Gaming, Angus Nisbet, the BetMGM Poker Championship is a one-of-a-kind festival that provides online players with a live poker experience. Nisbet sees this event as an opportunity for both amateurs and professionals to win life-changing prizes.
Online Qualifiers Put The Dream Within Reach
One of the championship's main draws is its accessibility. BetMGM is holding online qualifiers every Thursday and Sunday until June 22, 2025, for players from New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada.
Over 100 winners will receive prize packages worth $7,000, including a $3,500 tournament entry, a five-night stay at ARIA, travel credit, and a BetMGM swag bag. The tournament is a golden opportunity for many people because it allows them to compete on a large stage without spending a lot of money.
For a number of people over the years, the online qualifier system has been invaluable. Stories of winners show the event as a link between poker's elite and casual grinders. Former MLB player Jason Kipnis has also entered the scene for another chance after cashing in 2023 and making a comeback in 2024.
Ryan Kirk, ARIA's Director of Poker Operations, emphasized the event's importance, stating, "ARIA is the epicenter of poker in Las Vegas, and hosting the BetMGM Poker Championship during our Poker Classic gives us great pride. We are ready to welcome players for an exciting experience."
A busy Summer of Poker at ARIA
The championship is part of the ARIA Poker Classic, a six-week festival that will take place from May 29 to July 13, 2025. The series has dozens of tournaments, including BetMGM-sponsored events such as a $1,600 No-Limit Hold'em tournament and two $1,100 Mystery Bounty events. Live satellites for the championship will be held on June 29 and 30, providing another low-cost alternative for players with lesser bankrolls to enter the main event.
Summer in Las Vegas is poker heaven, with the World Series of Poker (WSOP), the Wynn Summer Classic, and the Venetian DeepStack Championship all competing for attention. Still, the BetMGM Poker Championship distinguishes itself by deftly combining ARIA's luxury with BetMGM's inventiveness.
Maintaining Responsible Gaming Standards
As they have done in the past, BetMGM and ARIA Resort & Casino are expected to strengthen the event by using strict responsible gaming and environmentally friendly policies.
Leading player in responsible gaming, BetMGM has included the well-known GameSense program on its websites and apps. In addition, it provides self-exclusion options for six months to five years and responsible gambling tools, including deposit, loss, and session time limits. It also gives players educational tools to help them stay away from the tragedy of gambling addiction.
For the 2025 championship, BetMGM is expected to maintain the same spirit for both online qualifiers and the live event at ARIA. Officials say sports betting will promote responsible gaming through strategic partnerships with hands-on partners such as Kindbridge Behavioural Health and the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA).
ARIA, which is part of MGM Resorts, will also help to maintain high sustainability standards through eco-friendly practices.
A Must-Follow Event for Poker Fans
The 2025 BetMGM Poker Championship, like its predecessors, is expected to be a lively event that will add to Las Vegas's already impressive summer lineup. The event has always been a spectacle, and we can only imagine it getting bigger and better.
With a $3 million prize pool, this event promises to make big dreams come true in the action-packed atmosphere of ARIA. It provides another poker enthusiast with the opportunity to instantly become a poker legend.
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