Nguyen Le took down the event after fighting back with just one chip in his stack
Nguyen Le delivered one of the most memorable performances in recent tournament history by taking down the 2025 BetMGM Poker Championship at Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Le earned $777,777 for the win after surviving a near-elimination scenario with just a single chip and 11 players left in the field.
The $3,500 buy-in event attracted 1,853 entrants and generated a $5.9 million prize pool—nearly double the initial $3 million guarantee. A three-way deal was struck at the final table, with runner-up Ashish Ghosh earning $752,282 and Yaniv Peretz finishing third for $590,348. Still, it was Le who walked away with the title and the largest payday of his career.
Earlier this year, Le banked $425,000 at the Borgata Winter Poker Open, also powered by BetMGM, making 2025 a breakout year for the rising tournament player. His victory at ARIA firmly cements that momentum.
The BetMGM Poker Championship has experienced significant growth since its launch in 2022. That first event brought in 343 entries and a $1.1 million prize pool. In just three years, those numbers have skyrocketed by over 400%, reflecting BetMGM’s growing presence in the live poker scene.
More than 110 players qualified for this year’s event via online satellites across BetMGM’s regulated states and markets—New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ontario—receiving full packages that included tournament entry, accommodations, travel credit, and branded gear.
BetMGM continues to link its poker offerings with its broader rewards ecosystem, allowing players to earn points that can be redeemed online or at MGM Resorts properties. The company also promotes responsible gaming by using GameSense, an initiative designed to support healthy gambling behavior both online and at the tables.
Nguyen Le’s improbable win has added a new chapter to the growing legacy of the BetMGM Poker Championship and highlighted the unpredictable nature of tournament poker.
