Gambling in the USA
What’s at stake at the 2019 World Series of Poker main event?
The wait for the 2019 World Series of Poker is almost over with the event due to start in just a few weeks’ time. That hasn’t dampened the anticipation amongst poker fans or the thousands of players preparing to play in the WSOP tournaments.
This article gives you everything (almost) you need to know about the 2019 WSOP including estimated prize money, the best tournaments and a guide on how to enter the 2020 WSOP.
WSOP 2019
When is it?
The tournament starts on May 28th and last for just over a month and a half with the final table closing up on July 16th.
Where is it?
The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is the venue for the 50th WSOP event. This has been the official venue of the WSOP since it moved from original venue Binion’s Horseshoe in the mid-noughties.
How many players have entered?
Official participation figures are yet to be released for the 2019 WSOP but the figure is expected to be an increase on last year’s record-breaking figure of 123, 865. Of that figure only 7,874 featured in the WSOP main event.
What’s the prize money?
The 123,865 participants involved last year contributed towards a staggering figure of $266,889,193 in prize money. With numbers expected to increase this time around that figure will be slightly higher although it will still be some way off the $300 million mark.
What events are on?
Undoubtedly the biggest draw of the WSOP is the main event which will see the world’s best players battle it out for supremacy. This final table of this event finishes the entire poker festival with the winner scooping a minimum $10 million in prize money.
Elsewhere players can enjoy Millionaire Maker, Seniors No-Limit, Monster Stack, Big 50 and Crazy Eight’s. The competition in these events will be less fierce but there will still be a of prize money available with the winner of the Big 50 getting their hands on a minimum $1 million.
(In 2003 accountant and amateur poker player Chris Moneymaker took the world of poker by storm, winning the tournament with an epic bluff against Sammy Farha.)
How to enter the WSOP
Unfortunately the time to enter this year’s WSOP is almost over but you can always prepare to enter next year’s tournament. You can do that in two-ways by paying your way in or by qualifying through a number of licensed events.
The buy-in option
This is by far the easiest option if you just want to get involved and make sure you’re at the 2020 WSOP. Although at $10,000 the buy-in for the main event is slightly expensive. If money is no object to you then you may as well buy-in.
If like most of us ten thousand dollars sounds like a lot of money to spend on a poker tournament then fear not, there are other ways. Players sell stakes of their potential winnings to investors to raise the WSOP buy-in amount.
Alternatively if you’re part of a poker league you can persuade the rest of the league to front the cost of a buy-in for the league’s best player – you’ll of course have to ensure you’re the best player in the league.
Classic qualification
WSOP run a series of satellite events across the world in the run-up to their showpiece event where players can win entry to the WSOP main event. The vast majority of these tournaments tend to take place in the United States with a few taking place in Europe and Asia.
If you can’t make it to any of these tournaments keep your eyes on the 888 Poker website. The online gambling company are the only officially licensed online satellite for the WSOP and regularly run qualification events throughout the year.
Who will win the 2019 WSOP?
After 10 hours of gruelling back and forth play, John Cynn finally overcame Tony Miles in a heads-up to win the 2018 WSOP. You might expect then that Cynn will be the hot favourite to take the crown again this year.
However if history has told us one thing about the WSOP it’s that it is incredibly hard to retain your poker crown. Tony Miles will be among the front runners to go one better than last time with Joe Cada, Nicolas Manion and Michael Dyer all hoping to win the WSOP main event.
Where can I watch the 2019 WSOP?
Dedicated poker fans can get their card fix this summer on the WSOP live stream after subscribing. If you’d rather watch the action on your TV then the tournament will be shown live on ESPN in the United States.
Compliance Updates
Arizona Department of Gaming Releases October Sports Betting Figures
Bettors in Arizona wagered approximately $791 million on sports in October of 2024, according to a new report by the Arizona Department of Gaming. This represents an approximate 22% increase when compared to October of 2023.
The state collected approximately $2.35 million in privilege fees in the month.
Gambling in the USA
Neosurf & Betting Hero to reveal results of their in-depth study into US online gambling and payment habits in exclusive two-part webinar series
Neosurf, the globally trusted provider of swift and secure cash-to-digital payment solutions, has announced it will be sharing the findings of a recent study into the online betting habits, preferences and frustrations of US players in an exclusive two-part webinar series beginning on January 14th.
Neosurf commissioned the research via Betting Hero – a leading US-based iGaming portal with expertise in casino, sports betting and DFS. The webinars will see Neosurf CEO Americas, Sue Page, Betting Hero’s Co-Founder and President, Jai Maw, and Senior Director of Product and Research, Ernie Ropas, dive into the report’s key findings and discuss what some of the more surprising results could mean for operators.
The survey, which featured respondents from New Jersey, Colorado and North Carolina, aimed to help operators and regulators within the gambling industry better understand the typical US bettor – how and why they bet, what tools they use to manage their budget and what Responsible Gaming means to them. The findings will be revealed in the webinars and used to identify areas where Neosurf’s products can help operators provide a better user experience.
The research highlighted several aspects of payments and responsible gaming that bettors felt could be improved. Problems with payments remain an issue – 52% of respondents said that they’d experienced payment issues in the past year, and with over 50% depositing and withdrawing multiple times each month, there is a significant cost impact to the operators.
Additionally, respondents indicated they’d be in favour of using a service that could share pre-verified ID information with operators, with ease of use for new payment methods and seamless integration across multiple platforms identified as important factors in their choosing and remaining loyal to a single sports betting platform.
Sue Page, Neosurf CEO Americas, said: “It was important to us to gain a more detailed insight into the US sports bettor. We wanted to talk to the players and ask questions that no one else is asking, and through our collaboration with Betting Hero I’m delighted that we now have a comprehensive piece of research.
“Offering valuable insights into player habits – how and why they bet, the ongoing pain points they’re experiencing with payments and their thoughts on Responsible Gaming—we’ll be taking a deep dive into the results of the survey in our two-part webinar series starting at 10:00 ET on January 14th, and we encourage all US-focused operators and regulators to join us.”
Gambling in the USA
Saracen Casino Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions
Saracen Casino Resort has selected Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Chatalytics, an integrated AI-driven suite, to revolutionize its casino operations and elevate guest experiences. The QCI Chatalytics solution, which includes Slot Copilot, Player Copilot, Dashboard, and the Robot Button, leverages OpenAI integration to provide real-time insights and streamlined decision-making across the casino floor.
QCI Chatalytics offers a powerful blend of AI-powered tools designed to optimize both player and slot management. With Slot Copilot, operators gain enhanced capabilities for real-time slot performance monitoring, predictive analytics, and dynamic task assignment. Player Copilot delivers personalized player engagement by analyzing customer data to inform service decisions and reward recommendations. The Dashboard component offers an intuitive, real-time display of key metrics, enabling data-driven insights at a glance. Additionally, the innovative Robot Button automates routine processes, allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks and improve overall efficiency.
Clayton Mason, Senior Director of Marketing of Saracen Casino Resort, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Integrating QCI Chatalytics into our operations marks a significant step in our strategy to harness the power of AI. With advanced tools like the Robot button, Slot Copilot and Player Copilot, we can deliver a more tailored and efficient experience for our guests while gaining deeper insights into our gaming operations.”
Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, shared his vision for the collaboration: “We’re excited to bring the capabilities of QCI Chatalytics to Saracen Casino Resort. By integrating OpenAI technology, our solution provides unprecedented levels of automation and insight. We believe Chatalytics will play a crucial role in optimizing floor operations and enhancing guest satisfaction through real-time, data-driven decision-making.”
The QCI Chatalytics platform is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s commitment to driving innovation in the gaming industry, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions to streamline operations and enhance the player experience.
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