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PokerStars Players Championship Makes History as Richest and Biggest-ever $25,000 Poker Tournament
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Ground-breaking PokerStars event generates record-breaking $26,455,500 prize pool including life–changing $5.1 million top prize
PokerStars, the flagship poker brand of The Stars Group, has shattered live poker records as 1,039 players entered to compete in the PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship (PSPC), generating the largest-ever prize pool for a $25,000 buy-in poker tournament. The PSPC will award more than $26,455,500 to 181 players, including $5.1 million for the winner, who will be crowned when the tournament concludes later this week. The final table alone will produce a total of six millionaires.
“Passion and interest in poker is alive and well in 2019, and this tournament highlights the global excitement for the game,” said Eric Hollreiser, PokerStars Director of Poker Marketing. “Tens of thousands of players participated in a year of unique promotions leading up to the event and that enthusiasm delivered one of the most exciting events in poker history.”
Players descended upon the Atlantis Resort & Casino on January 6 and 7 and were registering up to the very last minute to participate in the historic event. The massive field is comprised of diverse players from all over the world and a spectrum of experience from some of the game’s best professionals to novices who won entry through one of the dozens of low buy-in and free-to-play competitions and giveaways PokerStars held in 2018. Over the past 13 months, PokerStars awarded 320 Platinum Pass packages, each worth $30,000, covering the player’s buy-in, travel and accommodation.
“This tournament has been in the works for over a year and it’s been super exciting to follow the journey of the many Platinum Pass winners,” said Daniel Negreanu, PokerStars Ambassador. “I had a chance to meet many of them, and their excitement for this event is truly what poker is all about. The turnout was simply unbelievable! Over 1,000 players in a $25k buy-in. PokerStars did a fantastic job making this event happen, and the players themselves had input into everything from the blind structures to the payouts. It’s truly been the No-Limit Holdem Players Championship.”
The tournament broke records without counting the 320 Platinum Pass winners, smashing the previous attendance record for a $25,000 buy-in event, which was 639 entries, and the previous highest prize pool of $15,495,000.
The PSPC has brought together a mix of players who would not normally be found seated alongside each other in an event of this level of buy-in. Highly regarded players from online and live poker communities around the world took their seats alongside some of the finest and most familiar names in the game such as Patrick Antonius, Phil Hellmuthand Erik Seidel, not to mention PokerStars Ambassadors Chris Moneymaker, Daniel Negreanu, Jason Somerville, Randy Lew, Jennifer Shahade and Lex Veldhuis, as well as Twitch streamers, poker vloggers, and an abundance of recreational, and even new, players.
Adding some extra sparkle to the first event of its kind are some faces (and voices) well known outside of the poker tables such as the voice of the UFC Octagon Bruce Buffer, who kicked off the tournament by announcing ‘Shuffle Up and Deal’, former NBA star and ESPN analyst Paul Pierce, pro skateboarder Tony Hawk, and comedian, actor and writer Norm Macdonald. Golf pro Sergio Garcia also joined the event, although was among the casualties in day 1.
Many colourful, and often emotional, stories have arisen along the way, including those of Jacki Burkhart, Oliver Biles, and Nikhil Segel who all won their ticket to the Bahamas via the Platinum Pass Adventure. Shaun Lennon from Ireland and Dominique Lamy from France were also nominated to represent their country by their fellow countrymen.
Entry to the tournament is now closed. To keep up to date with all live reports from the PSPC visit the PokerStars Blog or watch the live stream daily from 12:30 ET at PokerStars.TV.
For further information, please contact [email protected]
About PokerStars
PokerStars operates the world’s most popular online poker sites, serving the global poker community. Since it launched in 2001, PokerStars has become the first choice of players all over the world, with more daily tournaments than anywhere else and with the best online security. More than 182 billion hands have been dealt on PokerStars, which is more than any other site.
The Stars Group owns or licenses gaming and related consumer businesses and brands, including PokerStars, PokerStars Casino, BetStars, Full Tilt, Sky Bet, Sky Vegas, Sky Casino, Sky Bingo, Sky Poker and BetEasy as well as live poker tour and event brands, including the PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’em Championship, European Poker Tour, PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, Latin American Poker Tour, Asia Pacific Poker Tour, PokerStars Festival and PokerStars MEGASTACK. The Stars Group is one of the world’s most licensed online gaming operators with its subsidiaries collectively holding licenses or approvals in 21 jurisdictions throughout the world, including in Europe, Australia, and the Americas.
Play Responsibly! For more information on responsible gaming please visit our website at http://www.pokerstars.com/about/responsible-gaming/
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: PokerStars Players Championship Makes History as Richest and Biggest-ever ,000 Poker Tournament

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CHIPS confirmed as Clarion Gaming charity partner ahead of appearance at iGB Affiliate Awards
CHIPS, the gambling industry charity which provides bespoke powered wheelchairs to young people whom the National Health Service is unable to support, has been named Clarion Gaming charity partner.
Born out of the gambling industry the registered charity has presented more than 700 wheelchairs, in the process transforming the lives of recipient children and their families. CHIPS Chairs are designed and engineered to meet the specific physiological needs of each recipient and can cost up to £9,000.
Speaking ahead of the prestigious iGB Affiliate Awards, where she will outline the work of CHIPS, co-founder and Trustee Linda Lindsay said: “I am absolutely delighted to be partnering with the team at Clarion Gaming as we work to generate more funds to help children who have been denied the twin gifts of freedom and independence.
“Having worked with so many families I have seen at first hand the stress placed on them when they are informed that their child doesn’t meet the criteria to receive an National Health Service funded powered wheelchair. I’ve met children who can walk three metres which means that they don’t qualify, despite the fact that after four metres they are struggling to stand and even breathe.
“Many of the families CHIPS has helped over the years would not have been able to continue their children’s education with just a heavy pushchair supplied by the NHS but they’ve flourished and regained their independence and dignity with the powered chair that we have been able to provide thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
“I have attended virtually all of the 700+ presentations that we have made and every single one has had a transformative effect. On behalf of my Trustees, all of whom work for free meaning that every penny raised helps fund the purchase of the wheelchairs, I would like to say how excited we are to be working with the iGaming industry and in the process helping more youngsters to get mobile.”
The iGB Affiliate Awards which celebrate the achievements and innovations of the iGaming affiliate community are taking place Thursday 3 July at the Troxy the Grade II-listed Art Deco music venue on Commercial Road in Stepney, London.
The post CHIPS confirmed as Clarion Gaming charity partner ahead of appearance at iGB Affiliate Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Allwyn and Formula 1® celebrate power of community by launching F1® Allwyn Global Community Award
- Brand-new F1® Allwyn Global Community Award will recognise and spotlight community-focused initiatives from across the world of Formula 1, with first winner to be presented at the Formula 1® Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2025.
- Allwyn to donate €100,000 to each winning initiative at four races this season.
Allwyn, the multi-national lottery-led entertainment company, and Formula 1 have today announced the launch of the F1® Allwyn Global Community Award. For the first time ever, community-focused initiatives across the world of Formula 1 will be spotlighted and celebrated on a global stage to showcase their positive impact on society. As well as global recognition, winning initiatives will each receive a €100,000 donation from Allwyn to further transform communities around the world.
Winners must demonstrate a meaningful contribution to society away from the racetrack, which could include advancements in education, culture, wellbeing or sustainability. For each race, the local promoter will identify Formula 1-linked community initiatives such as those run by teams, partners and media, which have had an impact in their country. A panel of three judges from Allwyn, Formula 1 and a local representative will agree the winner, who, in addition to the donation, will receive a trophy and a chance to visit a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The creation of the F1® Allwyn Global Community Award is part of the multi-year partnership between Formula 1 and Allwyn, reflecting a shared commitment to driving positive change and giving back to the communities in which they operate. The first recipient will be presented with the F1® Allwyn Global Community Award ahead of the Formula 1® Heineken Dutch Grand Prix on 31 August. Three additional winners will be chosen later this season, recognising local initiatives at the home of Formula 1 races in the US (Austin and Las Vegas) and Mexico.
Allwyn’s ambition is to extend the Award to cover more races in the 2026 season and further celebrate projects which make a meaningful difference.
Robert Chvátal, Group CEO of Allwyn said: “Championing positive community impact is at the heart of what we do at Allwyn. Our partnership with Formula 1 is the perfect chance to demonstrate our commitment to communities through the creation of this inspiring F1® Allwyn Global Community Award, supporting the very best community initiatives around the world and bringing them to a huge global audience.”
Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1 said: “It is a pillar of our sport to leave a positive legacy where we race and for many years, we’ve worked with the promoters and regional organisations to do just that, from inviting children from local schools to the track to encourage them to consider a role in motorsport, through to funding education initiatives and welcoming local community outlets and charities to be part of the event. Every year 24 incredible venues open their doors to host us, and we are met with fantastic passion and love at the track and throughout the entire city, so I am very proud to launch the F1® Allwyn Global Community Award as part of our mission. We will give the local initiatives that go the extra mile for making their communities and make the world a better place the recognition and global platform they deserve.”
The F1® Allwyn Global Community Award will be presented at the following Grands Prix in 2025:
- Formula 1® Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2025 – 29 – 31 August 2025
- Formula 1® MSC Cruises USA Grand Prix 2025 – 17- 19 October 2025
- Formula 1® Gran Premio De La Cuidad De Mexico 2025 – 24 – 26 October 2025
- Formula 1® Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 – 20 – 22 November 2025
The post Allwyn and Formula 1® celebrate power of community by launching F1® Allwyn Global Community Award appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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HIPTHER Launches FREQ404: Tune in for a Sonic Journey of Balance by Sound and Error by Design
HIPTHER, the renowned online media and event organiser for Gaming and Tech, is turning up the volume – quite literally – with a powerful new initiative that brings music, identity, and community together. Meet FREQ404: an electrifying monthly music mix curated by HIPTHER’s very own Co-Founder, Zoltan Tuendik, under the HPT.R profile.
From the stage to the strategy room, the creative spark of Zoltan and his wife, Betty Tűndik Kiszner Szilágyi, Co-Founders of HIPTHER, has always been a driving force behind the brand. But long before the conferences and curated content, Zoltan was better known to many as DJ Hawkie – a curator of soundwaves and moods. With performances at iconic venues like Ministry of Sound London (during iGB 2014), his passion for electronic music has always been loud and clear.
Now, with FREQ404, he returns to his roots, remixing electronic music and innovation in true HIPTHER fashion.
“My first sessions were live back in 2005–2006, and I recorded my first mix in 2008. Over the years, I’ve dropped the occasional annual mix, but something always pulled me back to the decks. With FREQ404, that pull is now a purpose. To reconnect with the roots, the rhythm, and the community. This time, it’s monthly. This time, it’s staying.” — Zoltan Tuendik a.k.a. HPT.R
The #hipthers are known for their passion for life, wellness, and connection – fostering innovation, sustainability, and movement. Now, they celebrate these pillars with their community and the world through a shared musical experience.
“Error by Design. Balance by Sound.”
HPT.R broadcasts FREQ404 from the glitch in the system, delivering monthly sonic transmissions that blend progressive, techno, vocal house, and deep electronic cuts. Each mix is a journey – hypnotic, immersive, and impossible to ignore.
This isn’t just background music. It’s a frequency for those who feel the pulse of innovation and want to ride its beat.
Why FREQ404?
Because sometimes, the best signals come from the errors in the system. And because music is a companion and inspiration throughout our everyday lives.
From the edge of the digital frontier, HPT.R is setting the tone for a new kind of HIPTHER vibe – one that unites tech, culture, and energy across borders.
🔗 Follow and listen now on Mixcloud and Spotify.
📡 New mix every month. Stay tuned – this is only the beginning.
The post HIPTHER Launches FREQ404: Tune in for a Sonic Journey of Balance by Sound and Error by Design appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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