At ACR Poker, turning 25 isn’t a milestone — it’s a launchpad.
As we enter 2026, our focus isn’t on nostalgia. It’s on the groundbreaking experiences, live opportunities, technological innovations, and competitive expansions that will shape the next 25 years of online poker for players around the world.
“25 more years, YES!” says our CEO Phil Nagy, summing up the energy behind what’s coming.
And what’s coming is big.
The Next Chapter: Bigger Events, Expanded Access, And New Poker Experiences
As we look toward 2026, several major initiatives are already underway, each one designed to elevate access, opportunity, and excitement for every type of player.
The $2.5 Million Moneymaker Mystery Million (March 2026)
We’re kicking off our 25th year with the first-ever $2.5 Million Guaranteed Moneymaker Mystery Million, a $100 buy-in Mystery Bounty event that delivers the spirit of the poker boom to a new generation.
Chris Moneymaker’s legendary story began with a low buy-in satellite, and this event is built around that exact ethos: any player, any bankroll, any background—anyone can win big.
Venom Live 2026: Finalizing Dates And Location Now
For the first time ever, we’re taking Venom beyond the online tables and into a full-scale live environment. We’re currently in the process of finalizing the dates and location for the inaugural Venom Live event, with full details expected soon.
What we can say now: It will be the biggest live undertaking in ACR Poker history.
WSOP Paradise: A New Era Of Friendly, Industry-Shaping Competition
In December 2025, we were prominently featured inside one of the most talked-about poker spectacles of the year — the WSOP Paradise drone show, where our star emblem lit up the Caribbean sky in front of thousands of players.
Together with WSOP Paradise, which is operated in collaboration with poker giant GGPoker, we stand as two major forces in the industry. Our healthy, competitive dynamic pushes the entire ecosystem forward. Through this momentum, we have positioned ourselves to qualify and satellite more players into major events than any other US-facing online poker room.
In 2025, we sent 100 players to WSOP Paradise via satellites — over $300,000 in packages — and in 2026, we expect to increase that number significantly. This is what friendly competition looks like at the highest level: operators pushing each other to innovate, expand, and enhance the player experience.
Staking Tickets: A New Standard For Backing And Transparency
We recently introduced Staking Tickets, giving players and backers a secure, trackable, internal method to handle staking for tournaments. This feature removes the risk, confusion, and off-platform logistics players have been forced to navigate for decades.
Telegram Channel: A Direct Connection To Players
Launched in December 2025, our official ACR Poker Telegram channel is now one of our most powerful engagement tools. In mere weeks, we have already given away hundreds of thousands of dollars in instant tournament drops, spot promos, and real-time rewards.
Telegram is, in every sense, the new heartbeat of our community.
Why We Continue To Stand Alone
The online poker landscape is shifting rapidly. New entrants like WPT Global are experimenting with dual-currency sweepstakes models — many of which are already facing significant legal challenges in major states. Meanwhile, we continue to grow steadily, remain fully operational, and deliver guaranteed value without needing to reinvent the definition of poker.
Players know what ACR Poker stands for: Consistency, transparency, and the willingness to innovate responsibly while keeping poker—real poker—front and center.
A Legacy Of Endurance: 25 Years And Counting
While our future is bold, our past is one we’re incredibly proud of.
We began in 2001 under the Americas Cardroom name, part of one of the first online poker networks ever created. While the industry changed, crashed, and reshaped itself around us, we stood firm — paying players in full after Black Friday and Blue Monday while many competitors folded or exited the U.S. entirely.
In 2019, our $5 million Venom broke the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest cryptocurrency prize ever paid in an online poker tournament.
In 2023, we evolved into ACR Poker, unveiling a modern platform and premium player experience.
From a handful of early Dobrosoft skins to a global player base and 400+ dedicated employees worldwide, our mission has never changed: put the player first, every time.
“I joined ACR Poker because it reminds me of what made poker special in the first place — access, opportunity, and the belief that anyone can rise,” said 2003 WSOP main event champion Chris Moneymaker.
Twenty-five years later, that belief still guides everything we build.
The Next 25 Years Start Now
With innovative formats, expanding live plans, new technology like Staking Tickets, and a direct real-time communication channel with players, 2026 is set to be the most ambitious year in our history.
We’re not celebrating 25 years by looking backward. We’re celebrating by accelerating forward. And we’re committed — today, tomorrow, and for 25 years more — to keeping the cards in the air.
