World Series of Poker partnership ‘ups the ante’ for casino

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World-class poker is coming to Toronto.

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The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, which opened in 2023, announced a new partnership Wednesday with GGPoker, dubbed the world’s biggest poker room. The partnership will see GGPoker become the official sponsor of The Poker Room at Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, making the resort the only destination in Ontario that will host World Series of Poker tournaments, including WSOP circuit bracelet and ring events.

Dates for 2025 events will be announced soon, resort officials said.

The partnership was announced after Toronto’s first WSOP circuit event last spring in collaboration with GGPoker. Over 11 days in March, Great Canadian said more than 6,000 entries, including 324 main event online qualifiers from GGPoker, competed for a record-breaking prize pool of $5.5 million, which exceeded an initial $3.9-million estimate. Various tournaments included the $2,000 main event with a prize pool of $2.8 million and the $3,500 High Roller event with a $1-million prize pool.

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The newly branded Poker Room will enhance the player experience, officials said, with upgraded high-definition TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi and a dedicated players’ lounge. Great Canadian Rewards members will also enjoy exclusive perks.

“We’re thrilled to partner with GGPoker to deliver a world-class poker experience,” said Michael Kim, executive vice-president of Great Canadian Entertainment. “This collaboration ups the ante on Toronto’s poker offerings, giving players access to the top tournaments and rewards, and cements Great Canadian Toronto as the go-to destination for a world-class poker experience in the city.”

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Added Sarne Lightman, managing director of GGPoker: “We are excited to partner with Great Canadian to elevate the poker experience in Toronto. This partnership will combine the best of live and online poker, offering players premier tournaments, unmatched rewards and solidifying Ontario as a hub for world-class poker.”

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is located on the same property at Woodbine Racetrack. The resort features 328,000 sq. ft. of gaming space including high-limit table and slot rooms, a 400-room hotel, wellness and fitness area, dining, private event and meeting spaces and the 5,000-person live entertainment venue The Theatre.

WSOP has awarded more than $4 billion in prize money over the last six decades.

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