Ladbrokes' Poker Million Tourney Expected to Rival WSOP in 2007

Ladbrokes, one of Europe's leading bookmakers and gaming operators, said that it is planning to invest 3 million UK Pounds in its Poker Million tournament, slated to take place next year. The investment is an effort to turn the event into the European counterpart of the World Series of Poker, held annually in Las Vegas.

The WSOP is seen as the most prestigious poker tournament of all, owned by US casino gaming giant, Harrah's Entertainment. 2006's series was the largest live poker tournament so far, with more than 8,000 players vying for over $82 million in prize money.

However, John O'Reilly, Managing Director of Ladbrokes' E-gaming Division, thinks that the figures could change dramatically this year. He said that since more than half of the WSOP players qualified by playing online poker, future events would be highly affected by the US ban on online gambling transactions.

"The Act opens up a huge opportunity for an offline poker tournament in Europe to rival the World Series," he said. "Poker Million is already the biggest poker event in Europe and we believe that by investing in the tournament and changing the format, London may rival the World Series."

This year's Poker Million tournament will culminate with all those who qualified through ladbrokespoker.com attending a week-long final at its new casino in Paddington. The event will be televised on Sky Sports. The winner of the event will bag $1.2 million, from a total prize pool of $4.1 million.

O'Reilly added that the additional funding will enable Ladbrokes to double the prize money that is being offered at 2007's Poker Million tournament, therefore attracting players from a wider pool.

02/05/2007, Monday
Matthew Dorst

Ladbrokes' Poker Million Tourney Expected to Rival WSOP in 2007

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