GGPoker’s Big Move: Acquiring a Stake in Hustler Casino Live
The Deal and Its Implications
GGPoker, the online poker giant owned by NSUS Group, Inc., has made a significant move by purchasing a stake in the popular Hustler Casino Live show. This acquisition comes after co-founder Nick Vertucci stepped down as co-owner in October 2022, following sexual harassment allegations made by a player on the show.
Ryan Feldman’s Expanded Role
Ryan Feldman, Vertucci’s co-owner since the show’s inception in August 2021, will continue in his role, but with an expanded scope. Feldman will now handle the business side of things previously managed by Vertucci, including producing the show, putting together lineups, and overseeing day-to-day tasks. GGPoker will take a hands-off approach, allowing Feldman to run the show’s operations.
Hustler Casino Live’s Legacy
Hustler Casino Live has built a loyal following and has produced some of the most memorable poker games in history, including the iconic “MrBeast Game” in 2022 and the first-ever $1 million minimum buy-in livestreamed cash game in 2023. The show has featured some of the biggest names in the game, such as Tom Dwan, Phil Ivey, Phil Hellmuth, and Garrett Adelstein, and has witnessed the largest pot in livestream poker history, won by Dwan for $3.1 million in May 2023.
A New Era for Poker Livestreaming
With Vertucci’s departure, Hustler Casino Live enters a new era, one without its co-founder and regular player. Feldman and Vertucci teamed up in 2021 after Feldman’s ousting from Live at the Bike, another poker livestream in Los Angeles. Together, they won Global Poker Awards and created a show that consistently attracted over 10,000 concurrent YouTube viewers, with the channel now boasting over 370,000 subscribers.
GGPoker’s Long-Term Vision
According to Feldman, the GGPoker partnership won’t have an immediate impact on the livestream, but the online poker giant has long-term visions for the show that will become noticeable down the road. Feldman believes the partnership adds legitimacy to their company, strengthens their global reach, and opens up new opportunities.
Daniel Negreanu’s Potential Involvement
With GGPoker now having a stake in Hustler Casino Live, the question arises: will Daniel Negreanu, a high-profile GGPoker ambassador, finally play on the show? Feldman acknowledges that Negreanu’s chances of appearing on the livestream have increased, and Negreanu himself has expressed excitement, stating, “You rarely see me playing high-stakes poker on streams anymore, but this is going to get me out of retirement and returning to the felt, playing on the most epic cash game stream poker has ever seen. I’m ready to battle.”
The Future of Hustler Casino Live
As Hustler Casino Live embarks on this new chapter, the partnership with GGPoker promises to bring legitimacy, global reach, and potentially new faces to the popular livestream. With Feldman at the helm and the backing of a major industry player, the show is poised to continue delivering unforgettable poker action and maintaining its position as one of the most popular livestreams in the poker world.
