Poker in Venezuela currently generates between US$60,000 and US$100,000 per month in tournament entries, supported by a community of more than 1,000 active players and a strategy aimed at bringing back international circuits from Colombia, Brazil and the Caribbean, according to estimates from Manzur Pinto, General Manager of Casino del Marqués in Caracas and an executive with more than 25 years of experience in the casino industry.
Pinto estimates that around 15 casinos are currently active in the country, with Caracas and Lechería serving as the main tournament hubs, while Margarita and Barquisimeto are seen as potential locations for new stops. The recovery began between 2020 and 2021 and gained momentum from 2022, following the mass closure of casinos and bingo halls ordered in 2011, which the sector estimated at the time affected nearly 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The tournament business model allocates most buy-ins to prize pools. According to Pinto, casinos retain around 15% to cover organization, staffing and operating costs, while between 10% and 15% of participants typically finish in the money. Two tournament stops held between La Guaira and Lechería are estimated to have generated around US$1 million in total economic activity, including accommodation, transportation, restaurants and related spending; between 30% and 40% of that impact may come from accompanying visitors.
International participation remains limited¸ fewer than 5% of players are foreign, with air connectivity identified as one of the main barriers. In Lechería, Anzoátegui, Casino BBH, located inside Hotel Maremares, hosts series including the BBH Poker Series and High Roller events.
The sector is regulated by the National Commission of Casinos, Bingo Halls and Slot Machines (CNC), created under the 1997 law. Since April 2026, its acting president has been Edgar Alejandro Melo Rodríguez. The regulatory framework also includes anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing obligations for casinos and bingo halls.
