GREG MADDUX TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL BALLER DREAM CELEBRITY POKER TOURNAMENT AT CIRCA RESORT & CASINO, JUNE 7 & 8
Two-Day Charity Poker Event and Gala Will Raise Funds to Support Young Warriors Affected by Cancer and Their Families
Baller Dream Foundation and baseball legend Greg Maddux will return to Circa Resort & Casino in downtown Las Vegas for the third annual Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament, June 7-8. This celebrity-filled event donates all net proceeds to support the non-profit’s mission of assisting courageous young warriors affected by cancer and their families. The two-day event will include a VIP gala game-show dinner, silent auction, paddle-raise and celebrity poker tournament event.
“Last year, we were able to raise over $500,000 for Baller Dream Foundation, which made a tremendous impact on helping those facing this terrible disease,” said Maddux. “It’s amazing to see the community come together for such a meaningful cause, and we can’t wait to build on that success for year three.”
The 2025 Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament aims to generate vital funds to create unforgettable experiences and offer financial assistance to pediatric and young adult “Ballers.” The 2025 event will include a gala game show dinner, silent auction and paddle-raise on Saturday, June 7. Then on June 8, the Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament will take over Circa’s 60th floor cocktail lounge, Legacy Club.
Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Resort & Casino said, “This event is not only a great opportunity for fun and camaraderie, but it raises significant funds for those in need. We’re proud to support such an important cause, and we look forward to doing our part to make this year’s tournament the most successful one yet.”
Past names involved in the tournament include Roger Clemens, Blake Gillikin, Frank Thomas, Tito Ortiz, Wally Joyner, AJ Cole, Deryk Engelland, Daniel Carlson, Garrett Bradbury, Kenny Lofton, Wally Joyner, and more.
Weekend Events
The weekend will include the following events:
- VIP Gala and Game Show Dinner: The tournament weekend will kick off with a VIP dinner in Circa’s 3,884-square-foot Galaxy ballroom. The dinner will feature a celebrity game show element where two teams will go head-to-head to answer survey questions; a plated dinner and open bar; a silent auction featuring over 100 unforgettable prizes; and a paddle-raise, where attendees are invited to “raise their paddle” to pledge donations and earn additional chips prior to Sunday’s tournament.
- Main Event Celebrity Poker Tournament at Legacy Club: The Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament will take place on Sunday, June 8 at Circa’s rooftop cocktail lounge, Legacy Club. The tournament will feature a cocktail reception with breathtaking wraparound views of the Las Vegas skyline.
The poker tournament will have players competing for a chance to win a $50,000 first place prize and be a part of a $75,000 pool. The tournament is limited to 100 players, with celebrities seated at each table. Rounds are 10 minutes in length and cash prizes are given to the top three winners. All net proceeds raised from this event will stay local to Las Vegas and help Baller Dream Foundation provide community programming where cancer warriors feel supported and celebrated. Funds raised also will provide financial support to families experiencing a cancer diagnosis. Celebrities will be announced in the coming weeks.
Single Day Tickets & Packages
A variety of packages and single day ticket options are available for guests looking to either play in the tournament or just watch.
Sponsorship levels include:
- Hall of Fame: The exclusive presenting sponsor goes for $75,000 and includes poker tournament access for six players, buy-in included; suite accommodations for all six players for two nights; VIP 16-seat celebrity table at Saturday’s dinner; and a print and digital marketing package.
- World Series: The $50,000 package includes poker tournament access for six players, buy-in included; suite accommodations for all six players for two nights; VIP 8-seat celebrity table at Saturday’s dinner; and a print and digital marketing package.
- Championship: For $30,000, this level entails poker tournament access for four players, buy-in included; standard room accommodations for all four players for two nights; VIP 8-seat celebrity table at Saturday’s dinner; and a print and digital marketing package.
- Major League: The $15,000 deal provides poker tournament access for two players, buy-in included; standard room accommodations for two players for two nights; VIP four-seat celebrity table at Saturday’s dinner; and a print and digital marketing package.
Single day pricing includes:
- Single Day Ticket to the Gala Dinner on June 7:
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- $15,000 – VIP Celebrity Table at Dinner for Eight Guests
- $10,000 – Table at Dinner for Ten Guests
- $1,500 – Dinner Access for Two Guests
- $1,000 – Single Ticket
- Single Day Ticket to the Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament on June 8:
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- $3,000 – Single Player Tournament Access with 10,000 Chip Buy-In Included
- $500 – One Spectator Ticket
- $500 – 5,000 Extra Chips
- Packages
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- $5,000 – Weekend Away Package featuring one poke seat with a spectator pass, two seats at Gala Dinner and hotel accommodations for Saturday and Sunday night.
- $3,500 – Local’s Package featuring one poker seat with a spectator pass and two seats at Gala Dinner.
Rebuys during the first hour of tournament play will be available up to $2,500. A total of $5,000 in rebuys is available to each player. $500 is equitable to a $5,000 tax deductible donation.
To reserve seats and inquire about sponsorship packages, click here. Custom packages are also available and can be reserved by contacting [email protected].
Baller Dream Foundation was founded by Frank DeBlasi, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 29. He was fortunate to have a wonderful support network of family, friends and co-workers and promised himself that if he survived, he would build a foundation for young people batting cancer. Now cancer-free, DeBlasi kept his promise and created Baller Dream Foundation, where they recognized the critical need for emotional and daily living support that is not available to all young warriors battling cancer. Baller Dream works closely with children’s hospitals across the country and provides in-hospital, volunteer-led activities to help ease the minds of warriors and support their families.
About Circa Resort & Casino
Get ready for the time of your life at Circa Resort & Casino, an adults-only casino-resort concept in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. The AAA Four Diamond Circa pays homage to Vegas’ Golden Era through vintage design, old-school hospitality and nods to the city’s history while introducing high-tech advancements and innovative amenities. The resort features upscale rooms and suites; the world’s largest sportsbook; Stadium Swim, a year-round pool aqua theater; a two-story casino; Garage Mahal, a high-tech transportation hub; the luxe Legacy Club rooftop lounge; an expansive local art collection; 35,000 sq. ft of meetings and conventions space and more. Guests can indulge at original restaurant concepts including premium steaks and seafood at Barry’s Downtown Prime from Chef Barry S. Dakake and Make It Happen Hospitality; Pan-Asian fare at 8 East from Chef Dan Coughlin; deli classics at Saginaw’s Delicatessen from restaurateur Paul Saginaw; authentic Carolina barbecue at Project BBQ; and all-star menus at Victory Burger & Wings Co. from the founding family of American Coney Island. Visit circalasvegas.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @circalasvegas to stay up to date.
About Baller Dream Foundation
Baller Dream Foundation is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit that supports pediatric and young adult cancer warriors, ages 0-29, through treatment, remission, and beyond. We assist families experiencing extreme financial hardship due to a cancer diagnosis. We offer financial support for living expenses, travel expenses to and from treatment, utilities, and other daily essentials like food and gas cards. Funds are carefully allocated after a complete evaluation of the family’s needs on a case-by-case basis. Through generous donations, Baller Dream Foundation also curates personalized “Dream Experiences” for qualifying recipients. These major gift experiences range from dream vacations, celebrity meet-and-greets, VIP access at sporting events, and many other once-in-a-lifetime adventures thanks to our partnerships.