Mario Lemieux To Kick-Off Charity Poker Tournament At Rivers Casino

Rivers Casino to also Debut Pittsburgh Penguins-Inspired Poker Chips 

PITTSBURGH  –  Jan. 13, 2016 – Mario Lemieux is scheduled to be on hand at Rivers Casino Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. to kick off the annual Mario Lemieux Foundation Charity Poker Tournament. All proceeds will benefit the Foundation in its mission to support care for cancer patients and research for a cure.

Players can still register for the highly-anticipated tournament. The entrance fee is $200, $50 of which goes directly to the Foundation. Prior to taking their first hand, players will receive 5000 chips for each additional $25 Charity Buy. Registration is available in-person at the Rivers’ poker room.

Hockey fans have another reason to cheer. At the tournament, Rivers Casino will debut a set of poker chips that feature the Penguins’ different logos throughout the years. Players will be able to purchase them from the cashier in the Poker Room.

“The Mario Lemieux Foundation is a cause that is close to many Rivers Team Members and guests, and we are thrilled to welcome Mario back for the evening,” said Jim Tinney, Rivers’ poker room manager.

Players in the tournament will have the chance to win cash as well as hockey gear and memorabilia signed by Mario and other Penguin greats, such as Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.

Rivers Casino has a long history of support for The Mario Lemieux Foundation. The two organizations teamed up in 2010 to help launch table games in Pittsburgh, and designated the nonprofit as the sole benefactor of Rivers’ table test event. The Foundation took home nearly $30,000 in contributions from Rivers as a result.

Created in 1993, the Mario Lemieux Foundation is dedicated to raising funds for cancer and neonatal research, as well as Austin’s Playroom Project, an initiative that creates sibling playrooms in medical facilities.

For more information about The Mario Lemieux Foundation Charity Poker Tournament and other poker events, please visit www.riverscasino.com or call the Poker Room at 412-566-4606. 

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ABOUT RIVERS CASINO
Opened in 2009, Rivers Casino has been voted a “Best Place to Work” in the Pittsburgh Business Times, a “Top Workplace” in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Best Overall Gaming Resort" in Pennsylvania by Casino Player magazine and "Best Overall Casino" in Pennsylvania by Strictly Slots magazine. The casino features more than 2,900 slots, 83 table games, a 30-table poker room, nine distinctive restaurants and bars, a riverside amphitheater, a multipurpose event space, live music performances, free parking and multiple promotions and giveaways daily. Already, more than $542 million in jackpots have been awarded to players at Rivers Casino. For more information, visit riverscasino.com.  

MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily Adams 
For Rivers Casino
267-932-8760 x 308
[email protected]