Eric Persson is buying back eight Washington casinos that had been listed for closure on November 30, a move that would preserve roughly 850 jobs and keep a network of card rooms and casinos operating in the Pacific Northwest. Pokerology reported the news on October 8, 2026, citing the Maverick Gaming co-founder's statements and the details of the transaction.
For poker players, the story matters because Washington's card rooms are among the most important live poker venues in the western United States. The state has no legal online poker, so physical card rooms are where Washington players find tournaments and cash games.
What Happened
Warn notices filed with the state indicated that eight casinos would close on November 30, putting about 850 workers, including dealers, cooks, security and management, at risk. The properties were part of the old Maverick Gaming empire, which had gone through a complicated restructuring.
According to Pokerology, the purchase by Persson's new company is expected to complete in late October, about a month before the notice date. The casinos stay open through the handover, and staff move to the new company. Persson described the arrangement as terminating employment with the old company and rehiring with the new one, without interrupting operations.
The eight casinos named in the report are:
- Great American Casino (Everett)
- All Star Casino (Silverdale)
- Casino Caribbean (Yakima)
- Crazy Moose Casino (Pasco)
- Coyote Bob's Casino (Kennewick)
- Chip's Casino (Lakewood)
- Macau Casino (Lakewood)
- Palace Casino (Lakewood)
The Backstory
Persson and Justin Beltram founded Maverick Gaming in December 2017. The company grew into a casino and card room group in Washington, Nevada and Colorado. In July 2025, the original company agreed to transfer its assets to its lenders. The properties went to RunItOneTime LLC and subsidiaries, including Maverick Washington LLC. RunItOneTime later filed for Chapter 11 with dozens of affiliates.
Persson bought back the Maverick Gaming name. His new company has spent the past year buying properties back, including four Washington card rooms (two in Kirkland, one each in Mountlake Terrace and Lakewood) and a manufacturing business.
He has pushed back on social media against reports linking his company to the bankruptcy. He stated that Maverick Gaming is not in Chapter 11 and is not affiliated with RunItOneTime, adding, "We are actually acquiring assets from them." On the confusing closure notices, he said they should have mentioned an expected transition to another party. He expects no visible change for customers: "The building never closes." He doesn't foresee anything holding up the deal and says he is working closely with regulators.
What Is Not Part of the Deal
Not every former Maverick property is covered. Pokerology notes that in Tukwila, Washington, Riverside Casino and a second Great American Casino filed notices covering 238 workers, with a November 1 closure date. Two other properties are being sold to a different buyer in a deal due in about a month, though Persson did not name them. Three more former Maverick properties have already gone to another buyer.
In Elko, Nevada, Maverick Casino Hotel and Gold Country Inn and Casino have notices covering 239 jobs dated November 30. Persson hasn't said whether he will pursue either property. The situation, in other words, remains fluid.
Why Washington Card Rooms Matter for Poker
Washington's gambling market is unusual. Tribal casinos dominate the high-end scene, but licensed commercial card rooms are a significant part of the state's poker ecosystem, offering live cash games and tournaments in a legal, regulated setting. Washington has famously strict rules on online gambling, which means online poker for real money is not available to residents through state-licensed sites. That makes live rooms the primary option for local players.
When card rooms close, poker communities lose more than a venue. Regular games disappear, dealers lose jobs and weekly tournaments end. Even if players can travel to another room, the social networks that sustain a game take time to rebuild. The preservation of these casinos therefore protects local poker supply.
The Online Gap
Because Washington does not allow regulated online poker, players seeking virtual action often look elsewhere. Our US poker sites guide discusses options for American players, and our safe poker sites page covers how to assess security and licensing before depositing. Offshore operators such as Americas Cardroom and BetOnline accept many US players, but laws vary by state and players should understand local rules before playing.
The contrast between thriving online markets in states like New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania and the lack of one in Washington is stark. For readers comparing formats, our guide to online vs live poker explains the trade-offs, including convenience, game selection and rake.
What This Means for Players
Your local game is probably safe, for now. If you play at one of the eight casinos, the sale is designed to maintain operations. Persson's quote about the building never closing is reassuring, but it's worth checking promotions and tournament schedules over the coming weeks as ownership paperwork transfers.
Watch the remaining properties. If your regular room is among the Tukwila or Elko properties, or among those sold to other buyers, the future is less clear. Follow local announcements and ask staff about plans.
Expect continuity in staff but possible changes in policy. New ownership can mean changes in loyalty programmes, comps and promotions. If you rely on card room perks, keep an eye out for announcements.
Consider diversifying where you play. If you are a serious player, relying on a single room carries risk. Having a bankroll that can handle changes in game availability is part of good bankroll management.
The Bigger Industry Picture
The Maverick saga illustrates how fragile some regional gaming operations can be when financing structures unravel. Casinos are capital-intensive businesses, and debt loads can bring down even popular properties. Persson's strategy of buying back assets one at a time reflects both opportunity and confidence that the underlying business is sound.
It also underlines how different the economics of live and online poker are. Online operators scale globally with relatively low overhead, while live card rooms depend on local foot traffic, staffing and real estate. A shift in ownership can mean the difference between a thriving poker community and a shuttered building.
For the national picture, regulated online poker in the US has been described as stagnant by industry analysts, with only a handful of states offering licensed sites. In that environment, live rooms remain crucial for the game's health, and the preservation of eight Washington casinos is a small but meaningful win.
What to Watch
Over the coming weeks, watch for confirmation that the purchase has closed in late October, any announcements about the remaining Maverick properties, and updates on whether Persson will pursue the Nevada casinos. Also keep an eye out for any rebranding or promotional changes, which can affect poker tournament schedules and rewards.
Final Thoughts
Persson's buyback is good news for workers, customers and poker players in Washington. It also shows how quickly the gaming landscape can change when ownership and financing shift. For now, the lights stay on, the dealers keep their jobs, and the cards keep falling.