King's Resort Announces Over €10 Million in Guarantees for September

King's Resort in Rozvadov is gearing up for a high-stakes autumn, sending a clear message to the international poker community. By guaranteeing a total prize pool of over €10 million for September alone, the casino proves it can draw massive crowds even without the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE). The primary focus is the debut of the King's Million European Poker Championship (EPC), which takes the traditional slot previously held by the WSOPE in the calendar.

The decision to significantly boost the schedule is no accident. After the WSOPE moved to Prague in 2026 and switched to a spring schedule, a gap opened in the autumn calendar of Rozvadov. The EPC is designed to fill this void, offering a mix of massive guarantees and varied game formats to attract both professionals and recreational players alike.

Numbers and facts

The centerpiece of the festival is undoubtedly the King's Million EPC Super Main Event. With a buy-in of €1,150 and a staggering €5 million guarantee, it ranks among the most lucrative tournaments in Europe this year. The structure provides players with maximum flexibility, featuring seven traditional starting flights from September 30 to October 4, along with a Flip and Go Pineapple option. The final day is set for October 6, when a champion will be crowned.

The action kicks off early in the month. The EPC Mini Main Event starts on September 16, offering a €1 million guarantee for a relatively modest €250 buy-in. Other highlights include the €1,000 Mystery Bounty tournament with a €1.5 million guarantee (September 23-28) and the €600 Monsterstack, which also features a €1 million guarantee. Pot-Limit Omaha enthusiasts are not left out, with the €1,500 EPC PLO Championship and the €3,000 PLO High Roller each guaranteeing €500,000.

Background

The strategic direction of King's Resort has noticeably shifted under the leadership of CEO Federico Brunato. The goal is no longer just to bring big brand names to the Czech Republic but to establish strong, independent formats. Brunato has repeatedly emphasized that simply offering a large prize pool is no longer enough to meet the high expectations of modern players.

"Operators should be setting new trends in the industry, not copying them from others." - Federico Brunato, CEO King's Resort

This philosophy is reflected in the diverse schedule, which includes H.O.R.S.E., bounty events, and specific senior tournaments alongside Texas Hold'em. King's Resort hosted the WSOPE for over a decade, but the success of the new EPC in Rozvadov will demonstrate the true strength of the house's own brand. The fact that PokerNews will provide live reporting from ten different tournaments underscores the significance of this event.

Why it matters for German players

For German poker players, Rozvadov remains the most important destination for live action due to its proximity. While online gambling in Germany is strictly regulated by the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021), live play at King's Resort serves as a vital supplement to digital offerings. Online casinos licensed in Germany and listed on the GGL whitelist are subject to strict limits, such as the €1 per spin limit on slots and a €1,000 monthly deposit limit through the LUGAS system. While live poker in the Czech Republic is not directly subject to these specific German online rules, awareness of player protection is high there too. German players particularly value finding legal live tournaments in Rozvadov on a scale that is currently difficult to realize in German state-run casinos.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Casinos with a license from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) focus primarily on player protection and compliance with German standards. Since online poker is also regulated in Germany, providers keep a close eye on such international major events. The high guarantees in Rozvadov might lead to a short-term migration of online traffic, but they also highlight the undiminished interest in poker. German providers must compete by emphasizing security and legality to stand against the tempting prize pools abroad. A comparison with unlicensed operators from Malta or Curacao clearly shows that only a GGL license offers German players genuine legal certainty, regardless of how large the jackpots advertised elsewhere may be.