World Series of Poker / Caesars Entertainment

History & Founding

The first World Series of Poker was held in 1970 at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in downtown Las Vegas, conceived by Benny Binion to attract high-limit gamblers and media attention. By the 1980s it had expanded to multiple events, introduced the $10,000 Main Event, and became a televised spectacle. In 2004, Caesars Entertainment (then Harrah's) acquired the WSOP brand from the Binion family, moving the live series to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in 2005, and later to Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas in 2022. Under Caesars, the WSOP added an online real-money poker site (WSOP.com) in 2013, a global live circuit (WSOP International) with stops in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and a digital free-to-play product (WSOP Mobile / Zynga).

The 2024 Sale to NSUS Group

On August 2, 2024, Caesars Entertainment closed the sale of the World Series of Poker brand and intellectual property to NSUS Group for US$500 million. The transaction included all WSOP trademarks, the live event brand, and the digital gaming IP. As part of the deal, Caesars secured a long-term license to continue operating the live WSOP tournaments at its Las Vegas casinos and to keep running WSOP Online in regulated U.S. states. The new subsidiary, headquartered in Las Vegas, oversees brand development, licensing, and future growth.

Operations & Platforms

Live WSOP Tournaments: Annual summer series at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas (2026: May 26 – July 15, 100 bracelet events), including the $10,000 Main Event and the $50,000 Poker Players Championship. WSOP Online (formerly WSOP.com) operates in Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, featuring daily tournaments and gold bracelet online events. WSOP International previously held events in Europe (King's Casino, Rozvadov), Asia, and Australia, though scope is under review after the sale. WSOP Mobile / Digital is a free-to-play poker app developed by Zynga. Merchandising & Licensing includes official WSOP apparel, poker tables, chips, and co-branded products under license from the new subsidiary.

Regulatory & Compliance

WSOP Online is licensed and regulated by the gaming authorities of Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Caesars Entertainment holds extensive state gambling licenses across the U.S. The WSOP brand is trademarked globally.

Corporate Structure (Post-Sale)

The WSOP subsidiary (brand owner) is wholly owned by NSUS Group, responsible for IP, licensing, and brand expansion. Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR) operates live WSOP events and WSOP Online under a long-term license. Caesars is headquartered in Reno, Nevada, with approximately 50,000 employees.