Jamie Gold’s Variety Charity Poker Event Raises Over $250,000 In LA

Poker chips, playing cards and gold decorations at a charity poker event.

Jamie Gold’s Variety Children’s Charity Poker Event raised more than $250,000 in Los Angeles.
The invite-only night returned to Paramount Studios for the 14th straight year in late July 2026.
UFC announcer Bruce Buffer co-hosted, and guests included poker champion Michael Mizrachi and several Hollywood celebrities.
Variety donates 85% of proceeds to families and presented six kids with adaptive bikes.

Jamie Gold’s annual Variety Children’s Charity Poker Event raised more than $250,000 in Los Angeles this year, according to PokerNews. The invite-only fundraiser returned to Paramount Studios in late July 2026 for the 14th straight year. Gold, the 2006 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion, hosted the sold-out night alongside UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer. Roughly 800 guests enjoyed a catered meal, a cash bar, casino games, and two poker tournaments. Every dollar supports Variety – the Children’s Charity of Southern California, which helps kids with disabilities, special needs, and developmental challenges. The event has now raised millions across its 14-year run.

What Happened At Paramount Studios

For the 14th straight year, the Variety Children’s Charity Poker Event took over Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. The invite-only night unfolded in late July 2026 and sold out again, drawing about 800 guests.

Bruce Buffer, the UFC ring announcer and an avid poker player, co-hosted and kicked off the action with his trademark “It’s Time” line. Guests moved between a catered meal, a cash bar, and casino games throughout the evening.

Two poker tournaments anchored the night: one high-stakes event and one low-stakes event, so players of every budget had a seat. PokerNews reported the night raised more than $250,000 for Variety – the Children’s Charity of Southern California.

The fundraiser has become a July staple on the West Coast. Paramount Studios, one of Hollywood’s oldest working lots, gave the night a fitting backdrop. It has sold out every year, and the 800-guest cap keeps the room intimate for the poker pros and celebrities who attend.

Why The Poker Event Matters

Variety directs its money where it counts. According to PokerNews, the charity donates 85% of proceeds directly to families in need. It also ranks as the highest-rated charity for effective giving on Charity Navigator.

That efficiency helps explain why the poker event has raised millions over its 14-year run at Paramount Studios. The cause centers on children with disabilities, special needs, and developmental challenges.

The reach goes well beyond one July night in Los Angeles. Globally, Variety has delivered over $2 billion to support these kids. The charity works through more than 300 programs across 20 countries and has reached over 45 million children.

Poker Stars And Celebrities In The Crowd

The guest list mixed poker names with Hollywood. Gold won the 2006 WSOP Main Event, a run still remembered for his relentless table talk and well-timed bluffs. His title sits alongside the other WSOP Main Event champions who have shaped the game.

He was joined by poker world champion Michael Mizrachi, plus Ryan Feldman and Kyle “Raver Poker” Ravreby from Hustler Casino Live. That stream broadcasts from the Los Angeles area, a scene many fans follow while tracking the rules for online poker in California.

The celebrity side of the room was just as deep this year. Guests included Mekhi Phifer, Ray J, Princess Love, Nick Gonzalez, Roger Cross, and Tony Dennison.

Adaptive Bikes And Corporate Backing

Gold told PokerNews that one of the night’s most special moments came when the event presented six adaptive bikes to six Variety kids. Adaptive bikes are specially built so children with physical disabilities can ride safely, which is part of why the moment landed. He described the gift as more than transportation, calling it independence, confidence, and inclusion for each child.

The evening also leaned on serious corporate support, with 50 sponsors on board. That list included Paramount, Disney, Universal, MGM, Regal, and Dolby.

Put together, that mix of poker, celebrity, and sponsorship turned a single July night into real help for local families.

What This Means

Charity poker nights like this one show a different side of the game than the tournament grind. A sold-out room, a WSOP champion, and 50 sponsors turned cards and chips into more than $250,000 for kids who need it. For US players, it is a reminder that poker’s biggest wins are not always counted in bracelets or bankrolls. If you follow the people who move the game, Jamie Gold’s Variety event is one to watch each July. Six kids rode home on new bikes, and that is a result worth celebrating.

The Legal US Poker Sites team covers online poker, live events, and the laws that shape where Americans can play. We are poker players first, so we read every story from the player’s point of view: Is it legal? Is it safe? Is it worth your time? Our writers track industry news, review licensed poker sites, and break down state-by-state regulation in plain language. When we report on events like Jamie Gold’s Variety fundraiser, we stick to verified facts and credit the outlets doing the on-the-ground reporting. Read more of our coverage on the Legal US Poker Sites news page.

Sandra is a content writer and editor specializing in online poker and iGaming. She covers poker sites, game formats, industry news, and US online poker laws for Legal US Poker Sites.