Harrah's 'considering UK WSOP'

2007-01-30 15:55:00

American casino firm Harrah's is considering setting up a British version of its highly successful World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournament, it has been suggested.

In an interview with Harrah's executive Jan Jones, the Observer newspaper commented that the land-based casino group was looking to expand into the UK and beyond.

Last month the company agreed a deal to purchase London Clubs International, which holds 11 casino licences in the UK and has the potential to add to this number when new licenses are awarded by the government over the coming months.

And the Observer revealed that the firm was considering exporting its highly successful WSOP format to the UK, as well as building casinos in areas such as Spain and Slovenia.

The WSOP was begun in 1969, and has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. Since 2003 the prize money for first place alone has risen by almost $10 million, now standing at $12 million.


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