The spotlight at the 25th annual Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas wasn’t only on the dazzling new slot machines or the cutting-edge technology showcased by hundreds of exhibitors—it was also on the dealers. This year’s event introduced the first-ever G2E Dealer Championship, celebrating the artistry and skill behind casino table games.

Held inside the Venetian Expo Center, the three-day competition brought together 34 of the best dealers from across the United States, representing properties from Las Vegas to Washington state. Competitors showcased their abilities in blackjack and roulette, with performances judged on hospitality, technical mastery, and control of the game.

When the cards were cleared and the roulette wheels came to rest, Elleonor Hoffman, a dual-rate tables game dealer from Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, California, earned the title of “Best Dealer in America.” Along with the top honor, Hoffman took home $5,000, a personal trophy, and the Dealer Championship Cup, which will be displayed at Graton until next year’s tournament.

“This means so much more to me,” Hoffman said, clutching her two awards. “I can make money. But this, they can’t take away from me.”

From the Cruise Deck to the Championship Stage

Before joining Graton Resort nearly ten months ago, the 51-year-old dealer spent 22 years working aboard cruise ships, mastering her craft across international waters. Hoffman, who now resides in Las Vegas, said she took the job at Graton after struggling to find full-time work locally.

An emotional Hoffman thanked her supervisor for nominating her to compete and expressed gratitude to her colleagues, several of whom traveled to Las Vegas to cheer her on. “A lot of people came (from Graton), and it means so much to me,” she said, according to Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I love my work. For me, dealing is an art, and I love my work.”

The Championship: Showcasing Precision, Poise, and Personality

The G2E Dealer Championship featured multiple elimination rounds, with the original field of 34 narrowed down to 12, and then to six finalists for the final showdown on Thursday afternoon. Each contestant’s performance was assessed by a panel of judges—table game executives representing the properties of the competitors themselves.

In addition to the main competition, the event included two side contests highlighting card pitching and cheque racking—key technical skills of casino dealers. The cheque racking contest, which required stacking 300 roulette cheques at lightning speed, thrilled spectators as participants displayed extraordinary dexterity.

Second place went to Madalina “Maddy” Ristea of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, who also won $3,000 and dominated the cheque racking event with a record-setting time of one minute and 40.8 seconds. Marko Vekovic from Encore at Wynn Las Vegas claimed third place and a $2,000 prize. The remaining finalists were Taras Ploshchanski of The Venetian, Milan Jesic of Bellagio, and Chaz Chim from Washington’s Muckleshoot Casino.

Industry Leaders Celebrate the Art of Dealing

The debut of the Dealer Championship added a new dynamic to G2E 2025, which drew more than 25,000 attendees and featured over 400 exhibitors from 120 countries. Organizers described the competition as a long-overdue recognition of the professionals who bring energy and authenticity to the casino floor.

“The inaugural G2E Dealer Championship brought an exciting new layer to this year’s event,” said Korbi Carrison, event vice president at RX, which co-organizes G2E with the American Gaming Association (AGA). “The competition celebrated the incredible skill, precision and showmanship of casino dealers while highlighting the vital role they play in the gaming experience.”

Carrison credited Barbara Woodo, a table-game executive from MGM National Harbor, for inspiring the idea after observing similar tournaments in Europe. The event also featured international expertise from Murat Sakih of London’s Hippodrome Casino and direction by Gaming Hall of Famer Debra Nutton.

Carrison emphasized that dealers are “the face of the casinos” and said the event aimed to give them the spotlight they deserve. “They’re often underrepresented and not appreciated,” she said. “With this event, we’re here to celebrate their skills and talents.”

A Defining Moment for Dealers and for G2E

As Hoffman received her trophy, the atmosphere inside Hall D was electric—complete with a live DJ, cheering crowds, and hundreds of spectators capturing the moment. The dealer community, often working behind the scenes, was finally center stage.

Reflecting on her performance, Hoffman said she even surprised herself after watching footage of her play: “Honestly, this is the first time that I’ve seen myself perform because I’m always at the back of the table. So, to myself on video, and judging myself, I was like ‘Damn, I’m good at this.’”

The event’s success cemented the Dealer Championship as a likely annual highlight of G2E. As Carrison noted, “We celebrate talent. You know, we should take pride in our industry. It’s a fantastic industry. The camaraderie is amazing, and our croupiers are fantastic.”