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Harrah's Poker Event Is Heading to London

  • 26-02-2007 3:38pm
    #1
    dropsy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 74 ✭✭


    From the Wall Street Journal today....

    'Betting that the popularity of its Las Vegas poker tournament can be exported successfully, gambling giant Harrah's Entertainment Inc. said it will stage a new World Series of Poker event in London in September.

    Harrah's, which owns the poker franchise that has become a television staple on ESPN, acquired Britain-based casino chain London Clubs International PLC in December. Introduction of the London contest, called the World Series of Poker Europe, two months after the Vegas event in July, is part of a strategy to capitalize on the game's popularity, said Jeffrey Pollack, Harrah's vice president of sports and entertainment who runs the World Series.

    The new tournament is also a way for Harrah's to expand its massive loyalty program for frequent gamblers. "At the minimum, this is a way to increase the customer lists at our properties in London and attract new customers to our Total Rewards program," Mr. Pollack said.

    The British tournament will allow players to pay a "buy-in," or entry fee, for a seat at any of three separate tournament events at Harrah's three casinos in London. To play in the "main event" -- a six-day tournament -- the buy-in will be about $19,600. Gamblers can also play in a number of "satellite events" at other London Clubs casinos throughout Great Britain and Europe in the hope of winning a spot in the main tournament. Harrah's said the total prize money will exceed $17 million.

    Like the Las Vegas event, the London poker tournament will be broadcast in Europe and the U.S. Mr. Pollack declined to name the broadcast outlet or primary tournament sponsor.

    The World Series of Poker's main event in Las Vegas last year attracted a record 8,773 entrants, and the first-place winner took a $12 million prize. The London events won't be as large, owing to smaller floor space in the casinos. Players are largely expected to come from Britain and Europe, though some North American players will likely travel to London for the tournaments. Harrah's said it will likely add other tournaments over the next year at its casinos throughout the world, and especially in gambling hot spots in Asia.'


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