G2E 2026 Dealer Championship Nominations Close Tomorrow

^{The G2E Dealer Championship debuted in 2025, featuring 34 smiling dealers from across the United States. (Photo: courtesy of Global Gaming Expo)}

Casino operators throughout North America have until July 17 to nominate table games dealers for the returning 2026 G2E Dealer Championship. The competition is hosted during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) at The Venetian in Las Vegas, which runs from Sept. 29 through Oct. 1. The competition gives dealers a chance to show off their professional skills in blackjack and roulette in front of a live audience and professional dealers on one of the biggest stages in the gaming industry. 

Nominations are open to any full-time, part-time, or dual-rate dealers employed by legal commercial, tribal, and state-regulated casino operators throughout North America.

15 Minutes to Impress the Judges

This year's competition has been expanded beyond just the United States to include Canada and Mexico, making it a true North American Dealer Championship for the first time. Each nomination must be submitted by a table game executive at the director level or above, and each submission must include a judge from the same property.

Dealers represent their respective property in a series of elimination rounds to deal both blackjack and roulette for 15 minutes each. They're evaluated on hospitality, technical skills, and their overall control of the game. The top three finishers win cash prizes.

The 2026 Dealer Championship will take up more space on the G2E show floor than the previous year. Organizers said last year was such a success that they want to encourage more attendees to watch it in person this year.

"We're proud to bring back the G2E Dealer Championship after it was so well received in 2025," said Corby Karrison, Event Vice President for G2E at RX. "This event showcases the exceptional talent and showmanship of casino dealers while also exemplifying the important part they play in creating a memorable gaming experience."

2025 Championship Set the Bar High

Casinos.com covered the 2025 Dealer Championship in person, which was a massive success at G2E. The event featured 34 dealers from casinos across the United States. The conference’s organizers said it was a “standout” moment on the show floor, and the response was strong enough to drive its return for 2026.

The champion last year was Eleonor Hoffman, a dealer from Graton Resort and Casino in California. Alongside her were the two finalists from Las Vegas: Madelina Restia from The Cosmopolitan and Marko Vekovic from Encore.

Debi Nutton, former Executive VP of Casino for Wynn Las Vegas and gaming industry consultant, was part of the competition's leadership. She said it was a great opportunity to put dealers in the spotlight, where they deserve. 

"Dealers are at the heart of the gaming experience and often serve as the guest's first impression," Nutton said. "I'm honored to help highlight their skill and professionalism on our industry's biggest stage."

This year's iteration of G2E is expected to welcome around 25,000 industry professionals from over 120 countries and regions. About 400 exhibitors will be there showing off the latest and greatest in the gaming industry. Registration for the event is open now at G2E.com, and casino operators who want to nominate dealers can do so before tomorrow on the same site.