Players competing at the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) will be subject to the controversial changes to Section V of the Official WSOP rules.
While promotional patch restrictions have been the subject of controversy in the past, the 2026 WSOP, owned by GGPoker and the NSUS Group, is banning all players from representing unregulated sites like CoinPoker, Phenom Poker, and ClubWPT Gold.
If players opt to wear branding, they are in direct violation of the WSOP rules and will be subject to disqualification.
After last year’s famous $1,000,000 debacle with ClubWPT Gold, widespread marketing of various other unregulated poker sites, as well as the WSOP heading back to mainstream media on ESPN, the WSOP is taking swift and direct action.
WSOP Section V
The exact language of Section V in the rules section makes it very clear about the image regulations that participants must adhere to while playing in Las Vegas, especially if they are playing on stream.
In layman’s terms, players need promotional logos approved at least 24 hours in advance. In addition, players aren’t allowed to wear anything depicting the following:
- False claims
- Unethical products/services
- Non-perscription/non-OTC drugs
- Tobacco products
- Firearms/firearms ammunition
- Lotteries
- Illegal gambling
- “Any material that is controversial, defamatory, obscene, profane, vulgar, repulsive or offensive.”
- Pornography
- Intellectual property
- Disparaging/libelous material
- Anything the WSOP/Caesars Entertainment finds potentially damaging to their brand.
WSOP Rule 52 states:
“Prior to entering and playing in the Tournament, each Participant must (a) execute a Participant release form;
and (b) if the Participant intends to wear logos, patches or promotional language of any kind, at any time, while
seated at a “feature” table, producing event content intended for distribution via digital or linear channels, then
Participant must submit written correspondence to Host Properties or their designee at sponsorship@wsop.com
at least 24 hours prior to logos, patches or promotional language being displayed.“The written submission must be approved by the Host Properties and identify sponsor and include the specific logos or promotional language, including their placement.
“Any Participant not receiving express written consent of Host Properties or their designee shall not be allowed
to display such logos and no logos will be approved after the start of a tournament day. Any such consent for
logos, patches or promotional language shall be at the sole and absolute discretion of Host Properties or their
designee, and failure to obtain such consent may, at the option of Host Properties acting in their sole and
absolute discretion, subject the Participant to immediate disqualification at any point in the Tournament.“If the Participant is disqualified, he or she shall forfeit all entry fees paid and not be entitled to receive any Tournament prize monies or any other prize. Under no circumstances shall logos be allowed which may be injurious or prejudicial to the interests of Host Properties, the World Series of Poker, ABC (and their subsidiaries and
affiliates) or honest advertising and reputable business in general.”
Poker stars weigh in
CoinPoker ambassador and all-time SCOOP champion Patrick Leonard took to Twitter to share a screenshot of WSOP rejecting his request. He has threatened not to play WSOP whatsoever as a direct result of not being able to wear a patch.
Leonard asked the hypothetical question: “Do you think any Winamax or Stars pro would let their players play without wearing a patch? 0%.”
Joe Ingram reiterated his belief that WSOP is taking greater steps to control messaging at their series.
“From how I’m reading the WSOP rules, this is now about controlling what branded/promotional content can be created inside the WSOP and then distributed on YouTube, IG, X, livestreams, etc.
“If your content includes sponsor reads, affiliate links, logo overlays, promotional language, or a brand WSOP does not approve, that may no longer be treated as just “creator content.” It may be treated as unauthorized promotion.”
He also claimed that BetMGM and ACR Poker are approved partners. While BetMGM is a regulated brand, many poker players and fans are confused about why an unregulated site like ACR Poker is still allowed to operate at WSOP.
ACR Poker, however, is a partner of the World Series of Poker and has satellites to the Main Event currently running on their platform.
