Now that the first rush for French online poker licenses from ARJEL (the French regulator) is just about over and all the big operators are already dipping their oars into these waters; the World Series of Poker has also signed a deal to receive a French online poker license. Like all of the other operators in this industry, this must be done as a joint venture partnership with a local firm, and the WSOP has entered into a JV with gaming operator Groupe Lucien Barrière. This took place last week as the first crucial step towards getting into this (hopefully) highly lucrative online gambling marketplace. The WSOP brand is owned by Caesars Interactive Entertainment’s which is an international concern, so, WSOP.fr will no doubt soon be launched.
The license approval was only granted last Friday, so it is still early days, as to what the new French site will look like? If it is anything like WSOP.com, the French online poker playing community will be in for a real treat. This license was granted only days after Caesars Interactive Entertainment signed the JV agreement with Lucien Barrière Hôtels & Casinos. The agreement caters for both live and online poker events throughout France and as subsidiary, BarrierePoker.fr was also selected to be the exclusive provider for official online qualifying rounds in respect of the WSOP Europe; which by the way has now moved from London to Cannes in France; the Barrière Poker Tour 2011, and the WSOP Las Vegas.
The new WSOP site will be presented in French and offer all the great features of the .com site, as well as offer real money games. We are still not sure when the site will be launched, but it will be some time later this year (2011). To date Arjel has awarded 34 new licenses to operators for a total of 67 online poker sites.
In the meantime check out WSOP.com, and get some idea of what the French will be in for. This is a brilliant production and if you fancy a free lesson to see if you enjoy playing online poker – the “Academy” is the place to go. This is the WSOP Academy online and the poker school officially associated with this tournament. The World Series of Poker is without doubt the most prestigious poker tournament on Earth and the academy is a first-of-its-kind. Basically they provide one-on-one training (virtually of course) from some of the best poker pros in the business. It is available 24/7 for comprehensive teaching and certification, all you need is the will to learn to play poker and an internet connection.
Imagine being seated at the felt with 11-time WSOP bracelet winner, Phil Hellmuth at his “home game”? Get insight into this champion of champions and his friends, in a completely informal setting by watching a series of ongoing games and commentary. If you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in a Hellmuth home game, now is your chance, find it at WSOP.com.
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