Eric Persson is a high-stakes poker player, gaming executive, and outspoken entrepreneur who has earned a reputation for bold bets, aggressive business plays, and taking on powerful institutions. Known to many as the face of Maverick Gaming and a recurring figure on televised poker shows, Persson has successfully merged the worlds of corporate gaming and poker entertainment.
Depending on the source, Eric Persson’s estimated net worth ranges between $40 million and $500 million as of 2025 — though that figure is in flux due to a recent bankruptcy filing.
Quick Summary: Key Facts About Eric Persson
| Metric | Value / Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $40 million – $500 million |
| Known For | Founder of Maverick Gaming, High-Stakes Poker Star |
| Notable Poker Pot | $1.78 million on PokerGO (2022) |
| Total Poker Winnings | ~$2.1 million (live earnings) |
| Casino Assets (pre-2025) | 31 venues in WA, CO, NV |
| Education | BA – UNLV; JD – Georgetown |
| Bankruptcy Filing | Chapter 11 (July 2025) |
Early Life and Education
Eric Persson was born in 1975 in Hoquiam, Washington. He is a member of the Lummi Nation, a federally recognized Native American tribe, and frequently mentions his heritage in interviews. His upbringing in a small, economically challenged town shaped both his competitive edge and his understanding of real-world risks.
Persson earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and later a Juris Doctor (JD) from Georgetown University Law Center, both of which — according to his own words — were paid for with poker winnings. He has often credited poker with teaching him valuable lessons about probability, pressure, and psychology.
From Casino Executive to Gaming Tycoon
Eric’s early career in gaming began with positions at major companies like Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Aruze Gaming, where he gained operational experience managing large-scale gaming operations.
In 2017, he co-founded Maverick Gaming, a privately held casino operator with ambitions to challenge tribal dominance in the U.S. casino market. Over the following five years, Persson led Maverick in acquiring:
- 31 casinos and card rooms across Washington, Colorado, and Nevada
- Over 1,800 employees
- Significant market share in Class III gaming
By 2022, Maverick Gaming was valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars and was actively expanding.
But in July 2025, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing pressure from mounting legal costs and regulatory barriers. According to the filing, Maverick held debts between $100 million and $500 million, prompting questions about the sustainability of its expansion model and long-term viability.
Poker Career: High Stakes and Higher Visibility
Though not a traditional tournament grinder, Eric Persson is one of the most recognizable faces in high-stakes televised poker. He uses poker less as a revenue stream and more as a personal branding platform.
Career Highlights:
- Played in PokerGO’s High Stakes Poker, No Gamble No Future, and High Stakes Duel
- Faced off with legends like Phil Hellmuth, Tom Dwan, and Daniel Negreanu
- Famously won a $1.78 million pot against Patrik Antonius in 2022 — one of the biggest ever broadcast (source)
- Known for aggressive talk, trash talk, and fearless bluffs
Despite his showmanship, public databases like The Hendon Mob list Persson’s total live tournament earnings as relatively modest — around $2.1 million — while HighRollPoker.com estimates his cash game losses on live streams at over $5.5 million.
Legal Fights and Political Ambitions
Persson’s ambitions have extended beyond casinos and poker tables into the courtroom and political arena. He has become the face of opposition to tribal gaming exclusivity in Washington state.
Maverick Gaming filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of tribal-only rights to sports betting in the state. That legal battle reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023 and continues to unfold in 2025.
Persson frames this not just as a business issue but as a matter of economic fairness and open competition.
Net Worth Breakdown and Financial Complexity
Estimating Persson’s net worth is challenging because:
- Most assets are held privately through Maverick Gaming LLC
- The company’s valuation fluctuated dramatically from 2022 to 2025
- His poker losses are public, while private holdings are not
| Source | Estimate | Year |
| MoneyInc | ~$500 million | 2023 |
| PokerNews | ~$40 million | 2024 |
| VegasAces | $500 million+ | 2025 |
| CardPlayer | $40–250 million | 2025 |
| Bankruptcy Filing | Debt: $100–500M | 2025 |
Public Persona and Social Media
Eric Persson is active on Twitter/X (@IAmMaverick888) and Instagram, where he shares:
- Poker clips and show promotions
- Legal updates on Maverick’s lawsuits
- Photos from gaming industry events and casino floors
He cultivates a larger-than-life image: part underdog, part disruptor, part showman. His appearances regularly go viral in the poker world and beyond.
Final Thoughts
Eric Persson is a modern casino maverick — a law school graduate, tribal descendant, casino owner, poker entertainer, and political agitator.
Whether his net worth is closer to $50 million or $500 million, his impact on the U.S. gaming ecosystem is undeniable. Few individuals have pushed the boundaries of poker, business, and law so openly or with such personal flair.
One thing is certain: his story isn’t finished yet.
