Your All-in-One Guide to Online Poker in the US

A woman has made it to the final event of the World Series of Poker, breaking the barrier since 1995. She is Leo Margets, a professional poker player from Spain, and she was the last woman standing at the WSOP Main Event in 2009 as well. Margets notably won a WSOP bracelet in 2021 and is a member of the Spanish Poker Player Hall of Fame.

History was made at the 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event as Leo Margets became the first woman in three decades to reach the prestigious final table. The poker pro from Spain now sits among the final nine players vying for the $10 million top prize, with each guaranteed to take home at least $1 million.

The milestone makes Margets the first female finalist since Barbara Enright placed fifth in 1995, marking a groundbreaking moment for women in poker. "It's so unreal," Margets said following her final table qualification. "Right now, it's like a dream. It means so much, like how lucky I am to live this."

A career 18 years in the making

Margets, 41, was born in Barcelona and began her poker journey in 2007 after being introduced to the game on a casual date. What started as a curiosity quickly evolved into a passion, then a profession. She soon left her corporate job after completing a master's in management and communications at Madrid's IE Business School to pursue poker full-time.

Her breakout moment came during the 2009 WSOP Main Event when she finished 27th in a field of over 6,500 players, where she earned $352,832 and the "Last Woman Standing" title. That performance catapulted her into the poker spotlight and kickstarted a career that has since seen her amass over $2 million in live tournament winnings across 121 recorded cashes, according to The Hendon Mob Poker Database.

A bracelet winner and Spanish Hall of Famer

In 2021, Margets claimed her first WSOP bracelet by winning $1,500 The Closer. She bested a field of 1,903 players, defeating Alex Kulev heads-up to take home $376,850. That same year, she was inducted into the Spanish Poker Hall of Fame with fellow countryman Adrian Mateos, solidifying her status as one of Spain’s most prominent poker figures.

Her consistent success and presence in the game have long positioned her as a role model, particularly for aspiring female players in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Now, with a shot at the WSOP Main Event title, she stands on the verge of making even greater history.

More than a poker pro

Margets' resume extends far beyond the poker table. A multifaceted personality, she is an accomplished author, having written or co-authored three books that apply poker thinking to life and business decisions. Her most recent work, released in 2017, delves into the game's strategic and psychological insights and how they relate to personal growth and resilience.

She's also no stranger to the spotlight outside poker. In 2014, she competed on Spain's version of Survivor, known as Supervivientes, and in 2023, she co-won Traitors España, a reality competition show, alongside professional boxer Joana Pastrana.

Her public speaking engagements on risk management, mental toughness, and decision-making continue to draw attention across both business and gaming circles.

Final table dreams and poker history in the making

Heading into Tuesday's final table, Margets sits fifth in chips out of the nine remaining players from a colossal 9,735-entry field. While the pressure is immense, Margets has long proven she thrives under it.

Should she go all the way, she would not only become the first woman to win the WSOP Main Event but also etch her name into the annals of poker history with one of the most iconic victories ever seen in the game.

The WSOP is undoubtedly one of the biggest - if not the biggest - events in the world of poker each summer. But the recent WSOP event has come into question because the players reportedly colluded for a bonus prize being offered by ClubWPT Gold. ClubWPT Gold allegedly promised bonuses to some WSOP winners, specifically James Carroll and Jesse Yaginuma, and WSOP is investigating the final results.

The World Series of Poker, known for being the most prestigious event on the poker calendar, is now involved in controversy following allegations of collusion at the final table of its 2025 Millionaire Maker tournament. At the heart of the uproar is a $1 million bonus promotion offered by ClubWPT Gold, a sweepstakes poker platform operated by the World Poker Tour, which is now drawing scrutiny from players, fans, and regulators.

During the final moments of the Millionaire Maker event, professional player Jesse Yaginuma was able to defeat James Carroll in heads-up play, not only earning the $1.2 million WSOP prize but also triggering a ClubWPT Gold bonus tied to their 'Gold Rush' sweepstakes promotion. However, the way in which the match unfolded raised eyebrows across the poker community and led the WSOP to announce a formal investigation into the legitimacy of the play.

ClubWPT Gold's sweepstakes bonus at the center

ClubWPT Gold launched its 'Gold Rush' sweepstakes earlier this year, offering freeroll poker tournaments on its platform where players could win Gold Rush tickets. These tickets made them eligible for a $1 million bonus if they went on to win any of nearly a dozen select WSOP bracelet events.

The promotion, though not officially sanctioned by the WSOP, created a lucrative incentive for participants - especially if they were already accomplished players. Earlier this summer, New Jersey's Michael Lavin became the first to claim the bonus after winning a WSOP shootout bracelet event.

The controversy intensified on Wednesday when Yaginuma, who held one of these Gold Rush tickets, won the highly competitive Millionaire Maker. Viewers watching the final table on livestream quickly took to social media, questioning Carroll’s play and suggesting possible 'chip dumping' to help Yaginuma win and secure the million-dollar ClubWPT bonus.

Suspicious hands fuel collusion allegations

Many poker fans and analysts noted peculiar plays during the heads-up battle, particularly Carroll's pattern of raising marginal hands only to fold to reraises from Yaginuma. In one widely discussed hand, Carroll lost a substantial portion of his chip stack on what appeared to be a weak bluff. These moments fueled speculation that the players may have reached a side agreement to share in the ClubWPT prize or that Carroll may have intentionally lost.

Despite a significant chip disadvantage, Yaginuma mounted a comeback and ultimately won the event. Carroll walked away with over $1 million for his second-place finish.

The WSOP announced Thursday on X that it is investigating the match and neither player has received their prize money pending the results of the inquiry. The WSOP strictly prohibits collusion, and while private deal-making at final tables is rumored to happen on occasion, it has never been permitted or recognized by the tournament itself.

Legal and regulatory clouds over sweepstakes poker

The timing of the controversy is especially notable as sweepstakes poker sites, including ClubWPT Gold, are already facing increased legal scrutiny. Earlier this year, Nevada lawmakers passed a bill aimed at banning unregulated gambling platforms, including sweepstakes-style gaming. Although Governor Joe Lombardo has not yet signed the bill into law, the largest sweeps poker operator, Global Poker, voluntarily exited the Nevada market in April.

ClubWPT Gold, which only launched in early 2025, is already unavailable in several states such as Delaware, Connecticut, and New York - all of which have either passed anti-sweepstakes legislation or are in the process of doing so. A new law in Connecticut, for instance, is set to take effect on October 1.

Despite this, ClubWPT Gold has not made public announcements regarding its exit from these states. As of now, the platform continues to operate in most states except for Michigan, Idaho, Washington, and Montana - the latter of which officially outlawed sweepstakes-style games earlier this year.

As of Friday, ClubWPT Gold has not issued any statement regarding whether it intends to honor Yaginuma's bonus or if it plans to revise the promotion in light of the controversy. The outcome of the WSOP investigation could significantly influence how sweepstakes-based poker promotions are handled, particularly when real-money bonuses intersect with major tournament events.

Rush Street Interactive is a world-renowned sports betting and online casino provider in the US - and it has just announced the launch of BetRivers Poker, which was previously only available in Pennsylvania, into three more US states: Delaware, West Virginia, and Michigan. Since it debuted last November in Pennsylvania, BetRivers Poker has garnered significant attention - and this multi-state deal creates a larger, more competitive network with more players, tournaments, and prize pools.

Backed by poker legends Phil Galfond and Phil Hellmuth, the new BetRivers Poker expansion marks a milestone in regulated online gaming. Rush Street Interactive, Inc., a leading force in the US online casino and sports betting industry, has officially launched its BetRivers Poker platform in Michigan, Delaware, and West Virginia. This marks a major expansion from its successful debut in Pennsylvania in November 2024 and ushers in a new era for online poker by connecting players across four states.

The newly unified BetRivers Poker network allows players from Pennsylvania, Michigan, Delaware, and West Virginia to compete together in a single player pool. This cross-state integration significantly enhances the poker experience by offering larger tournament prize pools, fuller cash-game lobbies, and more consistent gameplay.

CEO applauds milestone in multi-state integration

"The launch of a unified cross-state player pool significantly enhances the BetRivers Poker experience," said the Chief Executive Officer of Rush Street Interactive Richard Schwartz. "By expanding the network, we'll bring more players to our tables, offer a wider variety of games, and raise the stakes with larger tournament prize pools. We're thrilled to strengthen our poker footprint and deliver best-in-class competition and community-driven play across multiple states."

Rush Street Interactive has confirmed that the platform will further expand to New Jersey later in the year, potentially adding another state to the growing poker network. Additionally, BetRivers Poker remains united with Rivers Casinos in Pennsylvania, enabling players to engage in both online and live events under one ecosystem.

Designed by players, for players

At the heart of BetRivers Poker is a commitment to the community that plays it. Industry veteran and poker pro Phil Galfond was instrumental in the platform's development, working closely with RSI to ensure gameplay, rewards, and features aligned with the needs of both new and seasoned players.

"As poker players, we built this platform for the players - all of them," stated Galfond. "From brand-new poker players to seasoned pros, we focused on fairness, fun, unique features, and meaningful player rewards. I've been involved from day one to help shape BetRivers Poker into a platform that delivers the best possible player experience."

Phil Hellmuth joins the team

Adding even more star power to the brand, 17-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth has joined BetRivers Poker as an ambassador and content creator. Known for his competitive spirit and charismatic presence, Hellmuth aims to engage and grow the BetRivers player base through live events, digital content, and personal appearances.

"I've won more bracelets than anyone in history because I know how poker players think, and BetRivers delivers what they want: real competition, big moments, and a championship experience," Hellmuth said.

Features that stand out in the market

BetRivers Poker offers an array of innovative features that enhance both casual and competitive play. These include:

• Vibrant avatars: Interactive, expressive avatars that respond to gameplay in real time
• Cub3d Sit & Go Tournaments: A fast-paced format where players can win up to 1500x their buy-in
• A player-centric interface: A design shaped by direct community feedback for intuitive navigation and smooth gameplay

The platform supports a full range of poker formats including Sit & Go tournaments, cash games, and Multi-Table Tournaments, ensuring there's something for every skill level.

BetRivers Poker is expanding its reach through robust media initiatives. Its long-running Poker Night in America show continues to captivate TV audiences, while the launch of PokerBratTV on YouTube - featuring Hellmuth and special guests - offers fans behind-the-scenes content, live-streamed games, and player interviews.

Players now have the opportunity not only to watch poker legends but also to compete alongside them in real time, further bridging the gap between amateur enthusiasts and professional icons.