The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has unveiled its schedule for the highly anticipated WSOP Online 2024, marking the event’s fifth year of hosting US-based online poker tournaments. The 2024 online series promises to be the biggest yet for US players, featuring 33 bracelet events on the New Jersey-Nevada-Michigan network and four bracelet events dedicated to Pennsylvania players.
This expansion highlights the tremendous growth of online poker in the US, especially since the pandemic accelerated the shift toward virtual gaming. With accessible buy-ins and a wide variety of tournament types, the WSOP Online 2024 is designed to attract players of all skill levels. Additionally, a major corporate development was recently announced as Caesars Entertainment has agreed to sell the World Series of Poker brand to NSUS Group for a hefty $500 million, adding even more intrigue to this year’s event.
WSOP Online 2024: Key Highlights and Breakdown
The WSOP Online 2024 will feature 37 bracelet events in total, 33 of which are available to players in the states connected to the New Jersey-Nevada-Michigan network. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania players will have the opportunity to compete for four exclusive WSOP bracelets.
This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the online series, reflecting the continued expansion of legalized online poker in the US. The 2024 edition will also include a diverse set of tournaments with varying buy-in levels and formats, making it a welcoming platform for both seasoned pros and new poker enthusiasts alike.
22 tournaments priced below $900: These events make up the bulk of the series, offering players with smaller budgets a chance to participate and compete for prestigious WSOP bracelets.
Seven $1,000 buy-in events: For players looking to up the stakes, these events provide a middle ground with a larger prize pool without venturing into high-roller territory.
Four High Roller events: Buy-ins of $2,000 or more will be featured in the high-roller category, catering to seasoned professionals and those seeking larger payouts.
Four Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) tournaments: A favorite for fans of non-Hold’em games, these PLO events will challenge players with more complex gameplay and larger pots.
This mix of buy-ins and formats is likely to generate a wide range of participation, ensuring that players of all skill levels can enjoy the event.
3. Tournament Accessibility in the US
One of the most important aspects of WSOP Online 2024 is its increased accessibility to players across multiple regions in the US. With legal poker networks now operating on both the East and West coasts as well as in the Midwest with Michigan’s addition, a significant portion of US-based poker players will be able to join the action.
Ty Stewart, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the World Series of Poker, emphasized this accessibility in his remarks:
“Grab your chargers and get ready. With legal jurisdictions on both coasts and now in the Midwest with Michigan, most US players should be within a reasonable distance to log onto our network and get in on the action.”
Stewart’s comment highlights the rapid expansion of legalized online poker within the US. States such as New Jersey, Nevada, Michigan, and Pennsylvania have been early adopters, but with more states potentially legalizing online poker in the future, WSOP Online could see even broader participation down the line.
Growth and Milestones in WSOP Online
The 2024 series is likely to set records for participation and prize pools, given the track record of previous years. In the 2023 WSOP Online, players saw prize pools that reached into the millions, solidifying the event’s status as the premier online poker series in the US. The online series continues to grow in popularity, with both professional poker players and recreational players flocking to the virtual tables.
In this light, WSOP Online 2024 should feature some of the year’s largest prize pools in the online poker world. The combination of more legal poker jurisdictions and the series’ continued efforts to engage with a broad audience of players should create an exciting and competitive tournament series.
Caesars’ $500M Sale of the WSOP Brand to NSUS Group
In addition to the excitement surrounding WSOP Online 2024, a major business deal has captured the attention of the poker world. Caesars Entertainment has announced that it will sell the intellectual property rights of the WSOP brand to NSUS Group, a global gaming company known for its ownership of GGPoker, in a deal valued at $500 million.
Caesars Retains Key Rights Post-Sale
While Caesars is selling the WSOP brand, the company has secured key rights to continue benefiting from its long-standing relationship with the poker world. Specifically:
20-year hosting rights for live WSOP tournaments in Las Vegas: Caesars will continue to host the annual WSOP live tournament series at its Las Vegas properties, maintaining the prestige and visibility of its live poker offerings.
WSOP branding in brick-and-mortar poker rooms: Caesars poker rooms will still carry the WSOP name, reinforcing its association with one of the most respected brands in poker.
Live WSOP Circuit events at Caesars properties: Caesars will continue to host WSOP Circuit events, which serve as lower-buy-in live tournaments held throughout the year across the US and internationally.
Caesars also retains the rights to operate its WSOP Online poker platform in Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, ensuring that it remains a player in the booming online poker market.
What This Means for the Poker World
The sale of the WSOP brand to NSUS Group is a strategic move that could have wide-ranging implications for the poker industry. On the one hand, GGPoker’s experience in hosting online poker tournaments could bring fresh innovations to the WSOP brand, especially when it comes to online tournaments and international engagement. On the other hand, Caesars’ continued involvement with the WSOP live events ensures that the prestige of the live series in Las Vegas will remain intact for years to come.
This hybrid model—where NSUS Group owns the brand but Caesars retains a key role in live and online operations—could prove to be a win-win for both companies and, more importantly, for players.
Between the record-breaking schedule of WSOP Online 2024 and the $500 million sale of the WSOP brand, this year is shaping up to be a monumental one for poker fans in the US and beyond. The growing accessibility of online poker, coupled with the prestige of winning a WSOP bracelet, continues to draw in players of all levels.
As Caesars looks to the future with its strategic deal with NSUS Group, both companies are poised to redefine the global poker landscape. Online and live poker alike are set to thrive, with new opportunities and innovations on the horizon. The WSOP Online 2024 will likely offer not just huge prize pools but also unforgettable experiences for all who participate.