Billionaire Plans High Roller Poker Tournament in the U.S. With Mandatory Drug Testing

^{Pictured: Billionaire Chamath Palihapitiya}

Silicon Valley billionaire Chamath Palihapitiya has announced plans to launch a high-stakes poker tournament series unlike anything currently on the circuit. He shared the details in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Palihapitiya didn’t disclose specific buy-ins or locations but emphasized that the prize pools would be in the millions and that all events would take place in the U.S.

What sets his proposed series apart is a set of strict rules aimed at reshaping high-stakes poker. Among them:

• Mandatory drug testing for players, banning performance-enhancing substances (like Ritalin and Adderall).
• A prohibition on face masks and sunglasses at the table.
• Reasonable time limits.

According to Palihapitiya, these changes could make poker tournaments more appealing to elite players and a broader audience. He pointed out that pros have long voiced concerns about marathon structures and players using face coverings to conceal tells.

Phil Hellmuth recently withdrew from the WSOP Main Event, citing the tournament’s grueling format as a major reason.

Palihapitiya, founder and CEO of Social Capital, is a seasoned poker player and a close friend of Hellmuth. He has previously appeared on High Stakes Poker and Hustler Casino Live.

In related news, DraftKings recently announced a partnership with the Celebrity Poker Tour.