16 All-Expenses-Paid Packages to Punta del Este Highlight a Growing Trend in Casino Tourism
Americas Cardroom is turning up the heat this summer by awarding 16 all-expenses-paid poker packages to one of Latin America’s premier vacation and gaming destinations: Punta del Este, Uruguay. As announced in a recent press release, the online poker platform will send winners to the Enjoy Poker Series Main Event, which features a $1 million guaranteed prize pool. Each package is valued at $5,500 and includes a 10-night stay at the luxurious Enjoy Punta del Este Resort & Casino, round-trip travel, the $1,100 tournament buy-in, and access to exclusive poker and lifestyle experiences from August 1st through the 11th.
To win one of these coveted seats, players can enter online satellite tournaments for just $95 or qualify for free via Americas Cardroom’s “Beast” weekly leaderboard. The two main satellite events run on June 29 and July 6 at 5:05 p.m. ET, with eight packages up for grabs in each. It’s a high-reward opportunity for online players to trade their living rooms for beachfront views and high-stakes poker under the South American sun. “There’s nothing like the energy of a live poker event, especially the Enjoy Poker Series in stunning Uruguay,” said legendary poker champion and Americas Cardroom pro Chris Moneymaker. His statement reflects a growing sentiment across the industry: live poker is more than a game; it’s becoming a vehicle for global travel, cultural immersion, and unforgettable memories.
With poker tourism on the rise and destinations like Uruguay offering pristine beaches, high-end dining, and vibrant nightlife, Americas Cardroom’s latest promotion marks another chapter in a larger movement to merge competitive poker with elite travel experiences.
Americas Cardroom: A Pioneer in Experience-Based Poker Travel
Americas Cardroom has made a name for itself as both an online poker hub and a launchpad for immersive poker adventures around the world. From South America to South Korea, the platform is shaping what it means to be a poker tourist in the digital age. Their Uruguay campaign is part of a larger initiative that includes partnerships with marquee brands like Triton Poker and the Moneymaker Tour, aimed at taking online players and turning them into global competitors.
Earlier this year, the site announced its first High Stakes Adventure of 2025: a partnership with Triton Poker to send qualifiers to the ultra-exclusive Super High Roller Series on Jeju Island, South Korea. With buy-ins in the six-figure range and attendance from the world’s top pros and celebrities, this event is worlds away from the typical home game, but Americas Cardroom is lowering the barrier to entry by offering online satellites and promotional pathways for its users.
Meanwhile, the Moneymaker Tour, set for September, will feature a $300,000 GTD Main Event in Aruba. This growing list of high-value events showcases how Americas Cardroom is actively creating routes for players to participate in world-class live poker — routes that once seemed reserved for elites with deep bankrolls.
These efforts combine competition with life-changing experiences. By bundling luxury travel, elite competition, and exotic locales, Americas Cardroom is selling a lifestyle. And for many established poker players coming from a demographic that values both strategic games and premium vacationing, it’s a compelling offer. The company is tapping into a market eager to mix passion with purpose and strategy with scenery.
Poker Tourism Surges as Travelers Seek Unique, High-Value Experiences
This evolution in poker travel arrives at a time when the tourism industry is undergoing a seismic shift. According to AAA, the 2023 holiday season saw 4.7 million Americans fly: the highest number of Thanksgiving air travelers since 2005. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona’s travel epicenter, broke its records, mirroring a nationwide spike in adventure-seeking among older adults with disposable income.
This trend is not limited to domestic travel, of course, and poker tourism is seeing a period of growth. The World Poker Tour recently announced that Thailand will host its first-ever event in 2025, joining forces with France and the US to draw over 10,000 visitors and generate an estimated 1 billion Baht in local economic benefits. The Thai government is banking on poker’s growing international popularity to stimulate tourism, employment, and global visibility.
Back in the US, the casino tourism market is thriving as well. A report by Future Market Insights predicts the U.S. casino tourism industry will grow from $2.4 billion in 2025 to $4.2 billion by 2035, a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. Key drivers include the rise of integrated resorts that offer more than just gaming, as well as increased appetite for experiences that blend entertainment, luxury, and competition. Industry experts note that poker will remain a key pillar of this growth. Its strategic gameplay, bolstered by high-profile televised events and accessible online platforms, attracts tourists seeking more challenging games than slot machines. With many destinations now embracing poker not only as a game but as a catalyst for economic development, the synergy between poker and tourism has never been stronger.
In this context, Americas Cardroom’s $88,000 giveaway to Uruguay isn’t merely a generous promotion; it’s a sign of the times. As global travel resumes and consumers seek more enriching experiences, poker is stepping up as a passport to adventure, personal growth, and cross-cultural connection. Whether in the neon glow of Jeju Island or the ocean breeze of Punta del Este, the cards are on the move.
