The $3,500 buy-in event drew 1,853 entries, pushing the prize pool to $5.9 million
The BetMGM Poker Championship returned to Las Vegas in a big way, smashing expectations and nearly doubling its guaranteed prize pool. Held at ARIA Resort & Casino, the $3,500 buy-in event drew an impressive 1,853 entries across two starting flights, pushing the prize pool to $5.9 million—well over its original $3 million guarantee.
Now in its fourth year, the Championship marked a 62% increase in participation compared to last year’s turnout of 1,141 entries, reflecting BetMGM’s growing footprint in the live poker space. Despite the World Series of Poker (WSOP) running concurrently across town, the turnout proved that the BetMGM Championship has carved out a firm place in the Las Vegas summer poker calendar.
The tournament was the highlight of the ARIA Poker Classic, an ongoing series that began on May 28 and wraps up on July 13. In addition to the main event, three other BetMGM-branded tournaments were included in the lineup: two $1,100 Mystery Bounty events and a $1,600 No-Limit Hold’em tournament. Still, it was the Championship event that stole the spotlight.
The surge in participation comes even as BetMGM’s much-anticipated launch of online poker in Nevada continues to be delayed. While players in neighboring states like New Jersey and Michigan can access the BetMGM platform online, Nevada residents are still waiting for a rollout.
Despite the lack of online access, the live scene tells a different story. The Championship’s success signals strong demand and suggests BetMGM’s brand continues to resonate with high-stakes players and recreational entrants alike.
Held at one of the Strip’s most prestigious venues, the ARIA Poker Classic and BetMGM’s marquee event continue to offer a compelling alternative for those seeking big fields and big payouts during Las Vegas’s busiest poker season.
