WSOP Excludes Online Ring Winners from Paradise Packages, Faces Player Backlash

WSOP is facing criticism after it emerged that winners of WSOP Circuit ring events on its real-money online poker platform are not eligible for the $5,000 WSOP Paradise package, despite promotional material suggesting that all Circuit ring winners qualify.

The issue first surfaced after poker player Drake “Sweet4U” Kemper questioned why he had been denied a $5,000 WSOP Paradise package despite winning an Online Circuit ring. Kemper pointed to WSOP promotional material stating that every gold ring winner during the 2026 WSOP Circuit season receives a Paradise package, with no indication that online Circuit events are excluded.

Jeff Platt, who joined WSOP in a full-time role ahead of this year’s summer series after spending years as one of the tour’s commentators and on-air hosts, responded that WSOP Online Circuit ring winners do not receive Paradise packages this year. The clarification quickly drew criticism from players, many of whom argued that the promotion makes no distinction between live and online Circuit champions.