Will Trump’s Tariffs Hurt the 2025 World Series of Poker?

There can’t be many people on this planet who haven’t been following the news about the U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the rest of the world.

Jobs, savings, pensions, etc, have all been at the forefront of many people’s minds, understandably. But how will this affect our own industry?

It’s a situation in flux, right now, but with the 2025 World Series of Poker on the horizon we could see some unexpected outcomes over the summer.

Trump’s Tariffs and the 2025 WSOP

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the crown jewel of the poker world, a Las Vegas spectacle where dreams are made and broken.

In 2024, the Main Event drew a record-breaking 10,112 players, dishing out $435 million in prizes across 105 tournaments at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

As the 2025 edition looms — kicking off on May 27 —  anticipation is tempered by potential effects that these sweeping tariffs will have on the world in general.

There’s no doubt that people will be concerned about the short to medium future, including amateur poker players who dream of playing in the World Series of Poker.

The fallout could hit player turnout and the broader poker ecosystem, testing the resilience of this iconic tournament.

The WSOP thrives on its global appeal, with players from over 100 countries annually making the pilgrimage to Las Vegas. In 2024, 25% of Main Event entrants hailed from outside of the United States, with Canadians forming a hefty chunk — around 10% of the field.

But Trump’s 25% tariff on Canadian imports has strained cross-border relations, fueling economic uncertainty.

Posts on X suggest Canadian players are already rethinking Vegas trips, citing higher travel costs and a perceived chill in U.S.-Canada ties.

One user noted a 70% drop in U.S.-Canada flight bookings following “Liberation Day”, hinting at a broader boycott or financial pinch.

I am guessing you see significantly fewer Canadians this year, for sure. I've already talked with several Cdn players who would normally go EVERY year considering skipping it this year.

— Elron Steele (@elron6900) April 9, 2025

You see, this isn’t just economics we’re talking about here; it’s getting quite personal.

For Canadian amateurs, who often fund WSOP buy-ins ($1,500–$10,000) through savings, tariff-driven inflation could make the trip prohibitive.

Airfares, already up 10% year-over-year, may climb further as airlines absorb higher fuel and equipment costs.

My mom and I come to the WSOP from Canada most years. We are not coming this year.

— Mark Craig (@OMACMark) April 9, 2025

Hotels in Vegas, facing pricier imported goods, could jack up rates, squeezing budgets for mid-stakes grinders.

European players, though spared the worst tariffs for now, might also balk if the dollar strengthens considerably, making U.S. travel costlier. A leaner international field will lead to shrinking prize pools.

Most of my friends who go every year aren’t coming this year. And tbh, if I hadn’t already booked the trip, I wouldn’t be either

— Dara O'Kearney (@daraokearney) April 9, 2025

WSOP Is Still the One Where Everyone Wants to Win

It might be a little early to be thinking about doom and gloom but emotions are running high.

Yet, the WSOP’s core may hold firm. American players — roughly 75% of the field — face no tariff hit, and high-rollers are unlikely to flinch at cost hikes.

Stars like GGPoker ambassador Daniel Negreanu will likely show up regardless.

Online satellites via GGPoker could further cushion the blow, letting international players qualify remotely for pennies on the dollar. Still, a drop in amateurs registering, the lifeblood of massive fields, could dull the event’s electric vibe, and these things can have momentum.

There might be a section of the player pool who sit back and observe for the first few weeks, waiting to see if attendance numbers are down. If that’s the case, online chatter could see players convincing each other that the trip might not be worth it this year.

All of that said, the World Series of Poker is still the biggest draw in live poker. Other series exist but don’t have the same clout. The European Poker Tour is still a special event but there’s nothing like winning a gold bracelet.

Will Las Vegas Suffer?

Venue costs are another factor. Las Vegas thrives on imported food and drinks that are all now pricier under tariffs. A beer at the Rio’s former WSOP home was steep enough last year, but in 2025 you can expect shock at the Horseshoe’s bars.

And what about the prize pools? The WSOP’s biggest draw, the Main Event,  hinges on massive turnout.

If tariffs shrink the field by even 5%, that’s $4 million less in the pot. Smaller side events, like a typical $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em might see the biggest hit, as casual players skip pricier trips.

The ripple effect could reshape the WSOP, leaning harder on American players to fill seats.

Las Vegas itself, the WSOP’s beating heart, faces headwinds. Tourism, down 8% in Q1 2025 per early reports, drives the city’s economy.

Tariffs will exacerbate this by curbing international visitors, who spend big on shows, slots, and steaks.

A quieter Las Vegas means less buzz around the WSOP, as side action like cash games lose steam.

Local poker rooms, from Aria to Bellagio, might see thinner crowds, pinching the ecosystem that makes the WSOP a month-long carnival.

Trump’s tariffs will hit hard and fast, just like a nasty bad beat. For the 2025 WSOP, the damage could be real.

A drastically reduced Main Event field feels likely if conversations on social media are anything to go by. Yet poker players are grinders, and the WSOP is a bucket list event for many of them.

Amateurs will still chase bracelets and high rollers will still hunt fame, and organisers will still shuffle up and deal, tariffs or not. The question is all about the numbers.

Tariffs may raise the stakes, but they won’t bust the game. Come July, expect a slightly smaller, scrappier WSOP, but it will still be one that crowns champions.