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

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.

The World Series of Poker Main Event has already begun, and this year's event will be held once again in Las Vegas, where it all started. This year undoubtedly comes with heavy expectations, as it is the 56th annual series and there will be a total of 100 tournaments before the World Series of Poker wraps up on the 16th of July.

A record-breaking summer, star players, fresh tech, and plenty of drama set the stage for poker's biggest annual event. The World Series of Poker is back in Las Vegas, marking its 56th edition with 100 bracelet events - the most in its storied history. With familiar faces, fresh controversies, and a potential new record in sight, the 2025 WSOP promises seven weeks of high-stakes action and compelling narratives.

Moneymaker's legacy meets Gen Z

There will be players in this year's WSOP Main Event who weren't even born when Chris Moneymaker won in 2003, launching the poker boom that changed the game forever. Sure, the same was true in 2024. But it remains a reminder of how far the WSOP has come since its cash-game beginnings in 1970.

Fast forward to today: there are a new generation of players who will battle for poker's most coveted title, across two venues - Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas - through July 16.

GGPoker's new era and the WSOP+ app

This is the first WSOP since GGPoker's parent company, NSUS Group Inc., acquired the brand from Caesars. While the tournament's bare bones remain the same, one major shift has already emerged: the introduction of the WSOP+ app.

With the app, players can now register for events via mobile, monitor chip counts, and check blinds in real-time - streamlining what used to be a chaotic in-person process. However, smartphones are banned at the final three tables of any event, a rule change intended to preserve the integrity of late-stage play.

After years of chasing Jamie Gold's 2006 record of 8,773 entrants, the Main Event finally shattered it in 2023 with 10,043 players - only to break it again in 2024 with 10,112. Can 2025 make it three in a row?

This is unlikely, say insiders. Economic concerns persist, and US tourism has taken a hit - travel to Las Vegas dropped 8% in March year-over-year. These factors could nudge entry numbers just low enough to settle for the third-biggest Main Event ever.

Beyond the Main Event

While the Main Event gets the spotlight, the WSOP schedule is packed with variety:

• The Series opened with the popular 'Mystery Millions'
• The cheapest buy-in is the 'Gladiators of Poker' for $300, starting June 25
• The highest stakes belong to the 'Super High Roller' which costs $250,000, and it is beginning on June 15
• Prestige is on the line in the 'Poker Players Championship' for $50,000 a mixed-game tournament starting June 24
• And innovation takes center stage with the June 22 'Battle of the Ages,' that have separate flights for players above and below age 50.

Hellmuth vs. the clock, and Kristen Foxen chases history

Phil Hellmuth, the all-time leader in WSOP bracelets with 17, has once again sparked controversy. Citing the grueling Main Event schedule, the 60-year-old initially announced he would skip this year's tournament - a move many believed was strategic pressure on organizers to add a rest day. Then came the backpedal: Hellmuth put the decision in the hands of a Twitter poll, promising to boycott in 2026 if the format remains unchanged. As usual, poker's ultimate showman has everyone watching.

Kristen Foxen nearly broke through in 2024, finishing 13th in the Main Event and earning $600,000. But her quest for history this year goes beyond the headline event. With bracelet wins in 2023 and 2024 (albeit online), she aims to become the first woman ever to win bracelets in three consecutive years.

Even with the asterisk some attach to online victories, Foxen is undoubtedly among the best tournament players in the world - and her performance this summer will be closely watched.

Hall of Fame race heats up

The WSOP also means another round of fierce debate: Who will join poker's Hall of Fame? Last year's inductee, Patrik Antonius, edged out a crowded field that included Josh Arieh, Kathy Liebert, Mike Matusow, and others.

Newly eligible this year are Scott Seiver (seven-time bracelet winner) and Nick Schulman (six bracelets and a respected poker broadcaster). With only one spot open, we can all expect passionate debate, cries of snobbery, and no shortage of drama.