Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona recently hosted the only World Series of Poker event in New York state. The 12-day tournament, or circuit event, drew a record number of entries, with players from 38 states and four Canadian provinces participating. In total, $6.2 million in winnings were awarded, which was double the minimum guarantee and an increase from the $5.4 million awarded last year.
The tournament concluded with Ethan Bennett of Brooklyn being crowned the WSOP Main Event Champion, winning $298,546 and his first-ever Gold Ring. Among the winners were players from Central and Western New York, including Edward Lupinski of Ilion, Budwey Salhab of Getzville, Leonid Kaplin of East Amherst, Travell Thomas of Orchard Park, Michael Rellinger of Tonawanda, and Shane Friedlander of Kerhonkson. The total payout for the Turning Stone Main Event was $1.8 million.
The tournament was held from March 14 to March 25 at Turning Stone’s Events Center. Turning Stone is owned by the Oneida Indian Nation and is the only casino in the Northeast to host a WSOP circuit event. The World Series of Poker is known as the largest, richest, and most prestigious gaming event in the world, having awarded over $3.8 billion in prize money since its inception in Las Vegas in 1970.
