888Poker are to be the lead sponsor at the 2015 World Series of Poker and World Series of Poker Europe events, and will be the primary source of online satellite qualifications outside selected territories.
The relationship between the World Series of Poker (WSOP), and 888 Holdings, has gone from a kiss and a cuddle to all out fornication, after the pair agreed a deal that will see the company, that has ‘never been so healthy,’ take the starring role as lead sponsor of the 2015 WSOP in Las Vegas, and likewise when the bandwagon pulls up in Berlin for the 2015 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE).
The deal means yours truly will now be spending more time playing on 888Poker as they become the only online poker outlet to run official online satellite qualifiers, for both events, outside of the United States, British Columbia, Quebec, Canada, Mexico, Italy, India and France.
I can smell my $10k package.
Or is that my tofu scramble?
“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.”
The relationship will also see 888Poker assisting the WSOP with their 2015 WSOP and WSOPE live reporting experiences, after PokerNews were shunted to the rail a few months ago. It will be the first time that the updates, chip counts and real time live event interviews and stories will fall under the control of the hosts event website.
“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 USA who 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.”
The news comes days after 888 Holdings revealed that revenue in the last 12-months ending Dec 31st, rose 14% to $455m. Poker revenue remained flat at $94m, but active poker players rose 8% in Q4.
“We are on fire.” Said CEO Brian Mattingley.
Nope.
It’s definitely the tofu scramble.
