In March, Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona hosted the only World Series of Poker event in New York state. The 12-day tournament, or circuit event, attracted record-breaking numbers of entries, money won and visitors to the region. In total, $6.2 million in winnings were awarded, double the minimum guarantee and an increase from the $5.4 million awarded last year.
The success of the 2024 Turning Stone event sent 18 “Gold Ring” winning players to the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions main event in Las Vegas. Players from 38 states and four Canadian provinces participated in the event, totaling more than 16,000 entries. 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.
Turning Stone Resort Casino is owned by the Oneida Indian Nation and is known for being the only casino in New York state to host a WSOP circuit event and one of fewer than 20 casinos in the country to do so. The World Series of Poker is recognized as one of the largest and most prestigious gaming events globally with over $3.8 billion in prize money awarded since its establishment in Las Vegas in 1970.
