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2022 World Series of Poker In Review: Week Three Highlights and What to Look Forward To
The 53rd annual World Series of Poker wrapped its third week of play at Bally’s, the future Horseshoe Las Vegas, and Paris Las Vegas, delivering nonstop excitement with minted champions, massive game-winning hands and an appearance by world-renowned soccer superstar Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior. With more than thirty gold bracelets awarded and many more showdowns to come, week three of the WSOP raises the stakes—once again setting the gold standard of competitive poker play.
Week 3 Highlights
Brian Hastings wins his sixth gold bracelet in Event #31: $10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Championship
Brian Hastings claimed victory in a field of 118, becoming one of 17 players with at least six WSOP gold bracelets. This is Hastings’ third cash of the series after money finishes in Event #16: $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em and Event #23: $3,000 Limit Hold’em.
Neymar Jr. competes in his first WSOP events
The international soccer superstar Neymar de Silva Santos Júnior competed in his first WSOP bracelet events, participating in Event #26: $10,000 Limit Hold’em, Event #33: 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em, Event #34: Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em and an exclusive, star-studded “Neymar and Friends” tournament alongside Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo and poker pro André Akkari. No stranger to the tournament, Neymar made an appearance in 2015 during Day 5 of the WSOP Main Event to support Brazilian players.
Adam Friedman wins his fifth gold bracelet in Event #22: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship
Adam Friedman became one of 30 players to have earned at least five WSOP gold bracelets after besting a field of 96 and taking home $248,254 in prize money.
Brett Blackwood takes home a gold bracelet in Michigan-Only Online Event #1: No-Limit Hold’em Big $500
Brett Blackwood becomes the first gold bracelet winner in the inaugural World Series of Poker Michigan Online Bracelet Series, taking home $35,559 in winnings.
What To Look Forward To
Friday, June 17 – Event #37 : MILLIONAIRE MAKER No-Limit Hold’em
Players will compete for a WSOP gold bracelet in one of the WSOP’s prestigious events with a guaranteed first prize of $1,000,000
Thursday, June 23 – Event #47: SENIORS No-Limit Hold’em Championship
Senior players will have a chance at a WSOP gold bracelet in a $1,000 buy-in tournament reserved for those aged 50+
Thursday, June 23 – Event #50: Super High Roller No-Limit Hold’em
High rollers will compete for a prestigious WSOP gold bracelet in one of the most exclusive, high stakes, $250,000 buy-in tournament
Upcoming WSOP live streams on PokerGO
Saturday, June 18 – Event #34: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout
Sunday, June 19 – Event #38: $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw Championship
Monday, June 20 – Event #40: $10,000 Stud Hi-Lo Championship
Tuesday, June 21 – Event #42: $100,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller
Wednesday, June 22 – Event #37: $1,500 MILLIONAIRE MAKER
Thursday, June 23 – Event #44: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship
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DUPR Ratings
USA Pickleball “Golden Ticket” Returns to Las Vegas: February 2026 at the Plaza
USA Pickleball is heading back to the “Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World” for the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Las Vegas, presented by Tommy Bahama.
Taking place from February 18–22, 2026, the event moves to a new iconic home at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas. As a premier qualifying event for the 2026 USA Pickleball National Championships, this tournament offers amateur players their fastest “Path to Nationals.”
The “Golden Ticket” Advantage
In the competitive world of pickleball, a “Golden Ticket” is the ultimate prize for amateur athletes.
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Priority Registration: Gold medalists in each age and skill bracket receive a Golden Ticket, granting them guaranteed priority registration for the National Championships in November.
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Tiered Point System (TPS): Participants who do not win gold still earn maximum ranking points toward Nationals eligibility, as Golden Ticket events sit at the highest tier of the sanctioned points system.
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Official Rankings: As a sanctioned event, results are reported to DUPR, providing athletes with verified skill ratings.
Venue Spotlight: The Plaza Hotel & Casino
The Plaza has established itself as the premier pickleball destination in Las Vegas, boasting more courts than any other hotel-casino resort in the city.
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16 Tournament-Level Courts: The venue features 12 permanent rooftop courts and a dedicated championship court area that can expand to accommodate large-scale tournament play.
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Rooftop Experience: Players compete on the Plaza’s fifth-floor pool deck, offering panoramic views of the Las Vegas valley and the historic Fremont Street District.
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Capacity: The event expects to host over 500 athletes across five days of high-stakes competition.
“This venue allows us to deliver an extraordinary athlete experience, from professional operations to the energy that makes Las Vegas such a special host city,” said Jose Moreno, Chief Marketing Officer of USA Pickleball.
Tournament Registration & Logistics
Registration for the Las Vegas Golden Ticket is currently open, with several key deadlines and costs for participants:
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Registration Deadline: February 8, 2026.
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Cost: $95 Registration Fee + $45 Event Fee (Amateurs).
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Skill Levels: Open to players in skill brackets 3.0 to 5.0, with age divisions ranging from 19 to 80+.
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Exclusive Rates: A special hotel rate is available at the Plaza using group code SUSAPGT for bookings made by February 2nd.
For more information on Golden Ticket tournaments and the Path to Nationals, visit https://usapickleball.org/goldenticket/.
The post USA Pickleball “Golden Ticket” Returns to Las Vegas: February 2026 at the Plaza appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
DUPR Ratings
USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Heads to the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas next month
USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Las Vegas presented by Tommy Bahama set for Feb. 18-22
USA Pickleball is returning to Las Vegas next month with the USA Pickleball Golden Ticket – Las Vegas presented by Tommy Bahama, bringing one of the organization’s premier qualifying events back to the city after a highly successful 2024 tournament. The event will take place Feb. 18–22, at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas, offering athletes a new venue and an elevated tournament experience.
Golden Ticket Tournaments are official qualifying events for the USA Pickleball National Championships, the sport’s most prestigious competition. Winners earn a coveted Golden Ticket, securing priority registration to Nationals, while all participants earn points as part of USA Pickleball’s Tiered Point System.
Golden Ticket Tournaments attract top players from across the country, offering a professionally run environment with certified referees, official rules, and first-class venues designed for fair and competitive play. As sanctioned USA Pickleball events, participants earn official DUPR ratings and ranking points, helping athletes track progress and advance competitively.
“We’re excited to bring the Golden Ticket back to Las Vegas and to do it at the Plaza Hotel and Casino, with an expected 500+ athletes,” said Jose Moreno, Chief Marketing Officer of USA Pickleball. “This venue allows us to deliver an extraordinary athlete experience, from professional operations to the energy that makes Las Vegas such a special host city. Golden Ticket tournaments are a vital part of The Path to Nationals, and Las Vegas is the perfect place for players to test themselves, earn their way forward, and compete among the best in the country.”
“With the most pickleball courts of any resort, the Plaza has become the premier destination for pickleball in Las Vegas,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “We are excited to host this prestigious tournament and welcome the top USA Pickleball players from across the country to the Plaza. This event will be one not to miss with exciting, competitive matches played on our courts that offer unforgettable views of the Las Vegas valley.”
A special hotel rate at the Plaza is available for tournament participants. Rooms must be reserved online by Feb. 2, with group code SUSAPGT at https://book.passkey.com/go/SUSAPGT. Guests can also make reservations by phone, 1-800-634-6575, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Saturday and Sunday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information on Golden Ticket tournaments and the Path to Nationals, visit https://usapickleball.org/goldenticket/.
The post USA Pickleball Golden Ticket Heads to the Plaza Hotel and Casino in downtown Las Vegas next month appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
BetMGM
BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming
BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, has officially partnered with FashionTV Gaming Group to launch a curated portfolio of luxury-branded games. This strategic collaboration marks the entry of FashionTV’s iconic aesthetic into the North American iGaming market, exclusively through BetMGM’s platforms.
The partnership merges FashionTV’s global prestige in the worlds of fashion and high-society entertainment with BetMGM’s award-winning digital casino infrastructure.
Immersive Luxury Table Games
The initial rollout features two high-gloss table games designed to provide players with an “immersive, lifestyle-driven” experience that mirrors the sophistication of the FashionTV brand.
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FashionTV Blackjack: A premium take on the casino classic, featuring refined visual assets and high-end production values.
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FashionTV Roulette: A sleek, stylized version of the iconic wheel, bringing a “fashion-forward” energy to every spin.
The titles are currently live in Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, with a wider rollout planned for all jurisdictions where BetMGM Casino is active.
Strategic Vision and 2026 Roadmap
For BetMGM, the partnership is part of a broader “branded content” strategy that includes previous successes with major TV and movie franchises.
“At BetMGM, we have redefined what it means to deliver entertainment in iGaming,” said Oliver Bartlett, VP of Gaming at BetMGM. “By partnering with FashionTV Gaming Group, we’re creating experiences that go beyond gameplay and connect players to the brands they love.”
Moshe Cohen, Founder & President of FashionTV Gaming Group, added: “BetMGM’s leadership and scale make them the perfect partner to transform our vision into a North American success story.”
Looking ahead, BetMGM has confirmed that additional FashionTV-branded titles—including slots and potentially live dealer variants—will be released throughout 2026 as part of an expanding content pipeline.
The post BetMGM and FashionTV Gaming Group Bring Luxury Lifestyle to North American iGaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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