Supplier News

US – 888poker to sponsor World Series of Poker

By Phil - 25 March 2015

888poker has signed a broad sponsorship and content pact with the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to become a leading sponsor of the 2015 WSOP in Las Vegas and the 2015 WSOP Europe.

As part of the sponsorship, outside select territories (United States, British Columbia & Quebec, Canada, Mexico, India, Italy and France) only 888poker will have rights to run official online satellite qualifiers and online WSOP themed promotions. Consumers are asked to be wary of any other operators claiming an affiliation with the tournaments, as only 888poker has received approval to directly register players online into official WSOP tournaments. 888poker has already begun awarding a new “Double Up” package to the WSOP, which is worth $14,000 in value, including entry to both the 2015 WSOP Online Bracelet Event (Event #64) and the WSOP Main Event (Event #68).

888poker’s multi-steps satellites system will be running 24/7, with buy-ins starting from as little as one cent, thus providing every poker player an affordable opportunity to win a once in a lifetime live poker experience. Additionally, 888poker will qualify players to the 2015 WSOP Europe.

888poker’s expanded support of the 2015 WSOP and WSOP Europe will also help power live reporting on WSOP.com – the first time tournament updates, chip counts and related real-time live event data has been managed exclusively by the host event website. 888poker players won’t have to leave their online game to get WSOP tournament information, as 888poker will promote a syndicated feed of WSOP chip counts on its related gaming sites.

This wide-ranging agreement will also see 888poker receive brand exposure in the WSOP Main Event television programming on ESPN, including above the felt sponsorship and on-site branding boards on the set where WSOP final tables are hosted. In addition, 888poker has committed to support distribution of the WSOP and WSOP Europe television programs in key European territories.

“As a true partner with the WSOP on the B2B side where we power their real-money gaming in the United States, this was a logical next step for us to carry the power of the WSOP to our players across all other major markets we serve,” said Senior Vice President & Head of B2C at 888 Holdings, Itai Pazner. “This broad package gives 888poker players a great opportunity to win their way to WSOP events on our online poker site, plus gives us terrific content and assets to market our brand.”

WSOP.com will remain the exclusive U.S. home online for players to satellite into the land-based WSOP events.

“888Poker has been a great partner to CIE for many years now,” said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. “But 2015 is the year they will go All-In against the WSOP. We’re proud of the comprehensive offering 888poker will have for any player outside the USAwho dreams to play in our flagship events. We see 888poker’s expanded sponsorship as an important step to qualify players affordably and bring additional prize money to the tournaments.”