With the World Series of Poker underway, ClubWPT Gold is understandably reaching out to players in Las Vegas. The company launched a new marketing campaign on digital billboards along the Las Vegas Strip.
But the company’s ads don’t give the impression that it’s a sweepstakes-style online poker room. Instead, the company’s ads make it appear as if the platform serves as a training tool for poker players. The move showcases the company’s commitment to its new business model, which enables it to operate where sweepstakes casinos are banned.
The largest of the digital signs is right above several restaurants connected to the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, about a block from the Horseshoe and Paris, where the WSOP is held. The signage features a woman on a toilet holding her phone, apparently using the platform. In big letters next to the toilet, the sign reads: “Bringing Poker Training Direct To You.”
There are plenty of other, smaller signs around the Las Vegas Strip that feature different, non-toilet ads. But they all read “Bringing Poker Training Direct To You.”
New Business Model Sells Credits To Training Platform
The ad campaign was launched after the platform ditched its sweepstakes system in favor of a training site model in 2025. The move was in response to numerous states, including California, banning sweepstakes operators.
The new business model scraps free-to-play games and Gold Coins. Instead, players purchase poker training credits to play and redeem winnings for prizes.
In essence, the platform is now selling a service rather than offering traditional sweepstakes gaming. Some have argued the plan still may not fall within the law in states like California.
“With respect to ClubWPT Gold, I don’t think its two changes make them compliant with California’s new law,” gambling law expert and professor at Nova Southeastern University Bob Jarvis told Card Player in January.
“Rebranding itself as a ‘poker training site’ is just a meaningless nomenclature change that any court will easily see through. Ditto for the move from ‘dual currency’ to ‘hand analysis credits.’ As the old saying goes, I can call myself the King of Siam, but that does not make me the King of Siam.”
New WSOP Rules Added In Response To ClubWPT Gold
ClubWPT Gold’s ad campaign comes after a well-publicized rift involving the WSOP. Last year, controversy ensued in the $1,500 Millionaire Maker, with James Carroll and Jesse Yaginuma playing heads-up for the bracelet and $1.3 million.
A ClubWPT Gold promotion awarding “gold tickets” to certain players sparked collusion concerns. Under the promotion, if any of those players won a bracelet while wearing a ClubWPT Gold patch, they would win an additional $1 million.
Carroll entered heads-up play with a massive chip lead but eventually lost. Some on social media viewed his play as suspicious. The WSOP investigated the issue and ultimately withheld the bracelet from Yaginuma. Both players were banned from future events.
WSOP officials added a new rule this year barring players from receiving any additional financial gain based on their finish in any event.
