888Poker has entered into a broad sponsorship and content pact with the World Series of Poker (WSOP) becoming the lead sponsor of the 2015 WSOP in Las Vegas and the 2015 WSOP Europe.
Under the terms of the deal, outside select territories (United States, British Columbia&Quebec, Canada, Mexico, India, Italy and France), 888Poker will have the rights to run official online satellite qualifiers and online WSOP-themed promotions.
888Poker’s multi-steps satellites system will run 24/7 providing poker players opportunity to win a “once in a lifetime live poker experience”, the company said. Additionally 888Poker will qualify players to the 2015 WSOP Europe.
Live reporting on WSOP.com will be assisted by 888Poker’s support with the operator promoting a syndicated feed of WSOP chip counts on its related gaming sites.
888poker will additionally 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, while 888poker will 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.”
“888Poker has been a great partner to CIE for many years now,” added 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.”
As a cautionary note, both company’s urged consumers to be “wary of other operators claiming an affiliation with the tournaments” saying only 888poker had received approval to directly register players online into official WSOP tournaments.