Author name: Hunter_Mika

The Innocence Center's second annual "All in for Justice" charity poker tournament will be held on October 2nd at Jamul Casino. The inaugural event raised $$30,000, and this year's goal is to expand participation and raise funds for victims of wrongful convictions. The first "All in for Justice Charity Poker Tournament" was held on October 2nd, 2025—an internationally recognized day to raise awareness of the causes of wrongful convictions, the reforms needed to prevent them, and the profound personal, social, and emotional impact of wrongful convictions on innocent people and their families. The Innocence Center (TIC) hosted the event at Jamul Casino Resort in San Diego, raising approximately $$30,000. Now, they will be hosting the event again on Friday, October 2nd, 2026. The Center for the Innocence's "All in for Justice" Charity Poker Tournament Returns to Jamul Casino. "Following the success of the inaugural tournament, we are delighted that Jamul Casino Resort has agreed to host the second annual 'All in for Justice' Charity Poker Tournament," said Claudia Salinas, TIC Attorney. "This year, we hope to build on what we've established. Our goal is not just to host another poker tournament, but to continue creating a platform for the poker community and the wider community to learn about wrongful convictions, hear directly from those affected, connect with the work of the Center for the Innocence, and help raise the resources needed to change lives." The entry fee for this year's event is $150, and players can register in advance here. Individuals or businesses interested in sponsoring the event, as well as poker-related brands willing to donate equipment or prizes to the final table winners, can contact claudia@theinnocencecenter.org or call 619-928-2856. "That was probably the most meaningful part of the whole night for me," Salinas added. “It’s incredibly special to see a group of people who came together because of their love of poker leave knowing they’ve also done their part for the freedom of others. It’s a concrete example of what happens when you create a space where people can have fun, build a community, and support the good at the same time.” Looking back at last year’s event in 2025, TIC Executive Director Michael Semanchik welcomed all attendees and shared the Innocents Center’s mission: to free the wrongfully imprisoned, educate the public about the causes of wrongful convictions, and assist those exonerated and released in rebuilding their lives after their release.