Gregory Chochon has emerged as a key figure in the global poker industry, known for his visionary leadership, international expertise, and instrumental role in shaping the modern evolution of the World Series of Poker (WSOP). From his roots in France to executive leadership in Las Vegas, Chochon’s career reflects a deep commitment to innovation, growth, and excellence in gaming operations. His professional journey has not only elevated the WSOP brand but also helped bridge the gap between traditional and online poker on a global scale.
Gregory Chochon: Early Life and Professional Foundations
Gregory Chochon has a strong educational background, having pursued a Master’s degree at Université Paris Nanterre from 2001 to 2005. Before that, he attended Institution Saint-Dominic de Neuilly (2000–2001), and earlier completed his primary and secondary education at Sainte-Croix de Neuilly.
Chochon began his professional career in accounting, working at Arthur Andersen & Co. from 1999 until the firm ceased operations in 2002. He then transitioned into the sports and entertainment industry, holding managerial roles at Havas Sports & Entertainment, Up’teammate, and Sportys.
His entry into the poker world began when he became Poker Manager at Groupe Lucien Barrière, overseeing all poker-related activities across the group’s 37 casinos. His responsibilities included organizing major poker tournaments and managing strategic development. From 2010 to 2014, he served as Head of Gaming at LB Poker in Paris, and prior to that, he was Country Manager for France at bwin.party digital entertainment, managing operations across poker, casino, and sports betting.
Leadership Role at the World Series of Poker (WSOP)
Chochon’s pivotal role in poker’s global expansion truly took off in 2014, when he joined Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Inc. as Director of the World Series of Poker. Tasked with strengthening the WSOP brand and expanding its international footprint, Chochon focused on identifying growth opportunities both in live events and on the newly launched WSOP online platform.
His selection for this leadership role was driven by his deep industry experience, particularly in the European market. While at Groupe Lucien Barrière, Chochon played an essential role in establishing the WSOP Europe partnership, helping organize three successful WSOP Europe events in France. His track record in managing large-scale events and building strategic partnerships made him an ideal choice to guide WSOP through a phase of rapid growth and global integration.
The Caesars Entertainment Deal with GGPoker
In late 2024, a major shift occurred when Caesars Entertainment sold the WSOP to NSUS Group, the parent company of GGPoker, for an estimated $500 million. Despite the acquisition, GGPoker retained WSOP’s core leadership team, including Executive Director Ty Stewart and Gregory Chochon, who was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of WSOP under the new ownership.
This decision underscored the importance of Chochon’s leadership, as he and Stewart had already guided the WSOP to unprecedented success, both live and online. Their continued presence ensured stability and continuity, helping to maintain WSOP’s status as the world’s premier poker series.
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