888 extends online partnership with WSOP
London-listed operator named exclusive provider of WSOP qualifiers and promotions through 2018
888 has signed a sponsorship deal with the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to remain the exclusive online provider of WSOP qualifier satellites and promotions until 2018.
The two-year deal marks the third year in a row 888 has sponsored the largest poker tournament in the world.
888 also provides the software behind the WSOP.com online poker brand in New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware.
“It’s been a wildly successful partnership,” 888 said in a blog post. “The WSOP is the most recognised poker brand in the world, and as online poker’s premier site, it only makes sense for us to partner with the best.”
As part of the sponsorship, 888poker will also receive exposure through the WSOP Main Event television programming on ESPN, as well as throughout the summer on WSOP.com via official live streaming of gold bracelet event final tables.
“Our extended partnership with the WSOP is a testament to our increasingly dominant position in the industry and our longstanding commitment to making poker more exciting and accessible for players around the world,” said Itai Pazner, 888 senior vice president and head of B2C at 888 Holdings.
“As part of our wider mission to empower all players, and in the interests of giving everyone a shot at winning big, we’ll once again offer our members the incredible opportunity to enter the world’s biggest and most prestigious live tournament, from as little as 1¢.”
Last year, 888 online tournaments sent more than 250 players to the WSOP Main Event, and the operator said it will be “sending more than ever” in 2017.
“WSOP is delighted to have renewed our agreement with 888poker for the third year running,” said WSOP executive director, Ty Stewart. “We’ve seen 888poker really up the stakes in the past few years, with a refreshing new online and offline approach which aims to give the power back to the players.”
Hosted at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the 2016 WSOP attracted more than 100,000 entrants with a Main Event top prize of more than $8m.