In yet another exciting collaboration, BetMGM, along with its sister brands Borgata and partypoker, has teamed up with Las Vegas’ iconic Bellagio to host online satellites for the upcoming Bellagio Kickoff Classic series set to take place later this month.
These online qualifiers will allow players to secure a spot in the highly anticipated Bellagio Classic Main event, boasting a guaranteed prize pool of $500,000 and a buy-in of $3500. The half-million guaranteed event is scheduled to run from September 7 to 9.
Running for a duration of two weeks starting on August 14, these qualifiers are accessible to players from all three states where the BetMGM Poker Network operates — New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
- Up to $75 in MTT tickets on top of the bonus
- Frequent MTT series with good guarantees
- Combined player pools in Michigan and New Jersey
Similar to the ongoing qualifiers for the Potomac Poker Open Championship, the online qualification process consists of two steps. Step 1 entails a $20 buy-in tournament, enabling successful participants to advance to Step 2. The second step, priced at $100, grants access to the final qualifier taking place on Sundays, August 20 and August 27. During this final stage, one fortunate player will be awarded a comprehensive package valued at $5000.
The $5000 package features a prized $3500 entry into the Main Event, a four-night stay at the luxurious Bellagio Resort & Casino, and coverage of travel expenses.
Bellagio Kickoff Classic Details
The Bellagio Kickoff Classic is set to kick off on August 31 and will run until September 10, featuring a diverse range of events with over $800,000 in guaranteed prizes across twelve tournaments. The Main Event, showcasing a half-million-dollar prize pool and requiring a $3500 buy-in, spans two Day 1s, the first commencing on September 7 and the subsequent one on the following day. The tournament concludes and determines a winner on September 10.
The preliminary events comprise a variety of games with buy-ins ranging from $400 to $800. Among these is the Pot-Limit Omaha Mystery Bounty, with a guaranteed prize pool of $50,000 and an $800 buy-in. The series further includes a Seniors Event, No-Limit Hold’em Mystery Bounty, a Turbo event, and multiple satellites with a price tag of $400, offering players a pathway to qualify for the Main Event.
A few days ago, BetMGM and its Borgata unveiled online qualifiers for the Potomac Poker Open Championship (PPOC). Scheduled from August 16 to 18 at the MGM-owned National Harbor Hotel & Casino in Maryland, these online qualifiers for the PPOC have already commenced.
This isn’t the first instance of BetMGM facilitating player participation at the Bellagio Casino. Formerly known as playMGM, the brand collaborated with the renowned World Poker Tour (WPT) to host online satellite events for the prestigious $10,400 WPT Bellagio Five Diamond World Poker Classic back in 2017.
- Up to $75 worth of MTT tickets
- Great range of games across all stakes
- Players play on BetMGM network, which has shared MI and NJ player pools
BetMGM’s Poker Brand Evolution in North America
BetMGM’s commitment to sending players to MGM-owned live tours across the US is noteworthy. With an approach referred to as an “omnichannel event,” BetMGM extends a chance to players from Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to partake in high-stakes tournaments.
A prime example is the partnership with ARIA Resort & Casino to host the BetMGM Poker Championship. With two successful editions so far, the latest one held in June attracted 1026 participants, amassing a prize pool of $3.28 million.
“After the success of previous omnichannel events with ARIA and Borgata, BetMGM Poker is happy to offer online players a chance to qualify for the Potomac Poker Open Championship at MGM National Harbor,” said Luke Staudenmaier, BetMGM’s Director of Poker. “We will continue to find ways to support our MGM partners as they continue to offer Championship poker across the country.”
Over the last couple of years, BetMGM has significantly elevated its presence in the poker market, aspiring to become a dominant brand in the North American sphere.
With operations spanning four online poker rooms in regions including New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and even Ontario, Canada’s largest province, the operator has set its sights on launching a shared liquidity network by combining its New Jersey and Michigan player pools — becoming the third network to do so.
Additionally, there are murmurs about BetMGM’s potential launch of a real-money online poker platform in Nevada, although official confirmation on this venture remains pending.
Head to BetMGM for more info and to try and earn a spot at the Bellagio Classic!
