Poker Industry Veteran Mike Gainey Passes Away at 76

Longtime poker industry figure Mike Gainey has died at the age of 76. The American passed away earlier this week after a long illness.

Industry Legend

Mike Gainey is an industry legend who tirelessly worked behind the scenes for the poker world. His rolls in later life were in casino management where he built a reputation as a man who did whatever it took to raise the profile of poker.

Patricia Pfeil, a friend of Gainey’s and a long-time poker player, reminisced:

“He truly was a great guy and not afraid to butt heads with upper management to ensure that poker was important in the casinos. He was innovative when it came to tournaments. And was one of the original card rooms to host the fledgling WPT fighting for the right to do so with upper management. It was a pleasure to call him a friend.”

The card room she refers to is no doubt at the Reno Hilton, Nevada, where Gainey fought tooth and nail to bring the, new at the time, World Poker Tour to the town for the first time.

This success is what many players will remember him for.

After starting life in the gambling world as a dealer, Gainey swiftly rose through the ranks. First becoming a supervisor and later a manager.

As well as positions at Reno’s Peppermill Resort & Casino, and the Reno Hilton, Gainey was well-known for his final position as manager of the Atlantis Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada. It was here that he finally called time on a four-decade long career.

PokerTube sends their condolences to the family of Mike Gainey, and also thanks for all he did for poker.