Aberdeen Poker Players Raise £3,000 for Veterans as MERKUR Plans Annual Charity Event

A four-day charity poker tournament at MERKUR Casino Aberdeen has raised £3,000 for Help for Heroes, the UK charity supporting wounded veterans and service personnel, with the casino's general manager confirming plans to make the event an annual fixture.

The poker tournament, held at the Summer Street venue from 26th to 29th March, attracted 100 players competing across a total prize pot of £20,000. Jamie Munro took the top prize of £3,500, with the top 20 finishers sharing the remaining pot. Fundraising ran alongside the competition through player donations, a £1 charge on complimentary drinks, and contributions from local sponsors.

The event was organised by George Gordon, who has managed MERKUR Casino Aberdeen for six months and said community engagement was a priority from the moment he took the role. For Gordon, the choice of beneficiary was personal.

_{Manager George Gordon (Image: Courtesy of MERKUR Casino)}

'It's been a fantastic few days and raising £3,000 for Help for Heroes is something everyone involved should be proud of,' Gordon said.

 'Help for Heroes does essential work supporting veterans and their families, and it's important we continue to recognise that.'

Veterans Charity at the Centre of the Event

Help for Heroes was founded to support British service personnel and veterans living with long-term physical and mental health challenges after military service. Gordon said he chose the charity because he felt veterans do not receive sufficient public recognition for their sacrifices.

The tournament format allowed players to enter across three starting flights on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, before a final table on Sunday. The structure was designed to maximise participation within the venue's capacity.

Gordon said the casino intends to return. 'We're planning it will be an annual event from now on,' he said. 'That'll be our commitment to Help for Heroes.'

Part of a Wider Charity Push Across the UK

The Aberdeen event sits within a broader pattern of charitable activity from MERKUR Casino UK. The company recently pledged £100,000 to Momentum Children's Charity as part of a three-year partnership supporting families of children with cancer and other life-challenging conditions. Momentum operates across London, Surrey, and Sussex, providing emotional and practical support during treatment and bereavement.

MERKUR has also donated £1,231 to the Sunlight Development Trust in Gillingham, funding new chairs for meeting rooms used by people over 50 and those facing learning or mental health difficulties. That donation came through MERKUR's national Community Programme, which combines company funding with voluntary customer donations collected across its UK venues.

To date, the programme has supported more than 150 community groups and charities nationwide. Mark Schertle, chief operating officer at MERKUR Casino UK, has described the approach as central to the business.

'At MERKUR, we strongly believe that giving back to the communities we serve is important,' he said, 'especially when it comes to supporting those who are facing heartbreaking challenges.'

If the Aberdeen tournament follows the pattern of MERKUR's wider charity commitments, next year's players will be competing for more than just the prize pot.