2009 World Series of Poker Stimulus Package

The World Series of Poker and Harrah's, which runs the event, is offering an economic stimulus package of its own. 

The WSOP announced its 2009 schedule on Monday and included - what else - a stimulus package.

A "stimulus special" $1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament on the opening weekend, May 30-31, 2009, which is anticipated to draw the largest-ever live tournament field outside the Main Event and offer a prize pool approaching $5,000,000.

Despite a downturn in the economy, the number of people who entered the 2008 World Series of Poker increased by around 500 players over the prior year.

WSOP participation dropped significantly from its 2006 peak, however.   That's when 8773 people participated (an increase of over 3000 from the year previous).  The World Series of Poker was dealt a huge blow when Congress passed a bill that prohibits certain banking instruments from being used for purposes of playing poker online.  The Internet poker rooms were shunned by Harrah's the following year.

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Ace King, Gambling911.com