World Series of Poker Europe Announces 2008 Schedule + ESPN Broadcast

The schedule for the second annual World Series of Poker Europe presented by Betfair.com (WSOPE) for 2008 was just announced by Harrah's Entertainment, and will feature four bracelet tournaments, including a new addition, the GBP 1,500 No-Limit Hold'em event that will open the tournament. Also, for the first time (and subject to the execution of a definitive agreement) ESPN, the exclusive World Series of Poker telecaster, is scheduled to air eight original hours of coverage of the World Series of Poker Europe in the United States and distribute the tournament globally.

Here is the complete event schedule:

All the above tournaments will be sanctioned gold bracelet events. Five additional non-bracelet events will also be scheduled during the tournament. Visit www.wsope2008.com, or click here for more details.

The WSOPE will be held from September 19th to October 2nd, 2008 in London, England. This year's tournament will again be hosted by London Clubs International (LCI) at their London locations.

Players can pre-register for the WSOPE at any LCI venue in the UK and all Harrah's venues in Las Vegas. Alternatively they can try and qualify online exclusively at Betfair Poker.

For the first time, and subject to the execution of a definitive agreement, ESPN, the exclusive World Series of Poker telecaster, is scheduled to air eight original hours of coverage of the World Series of Poker Europe in the United States and distribute the tournament globally. ESPN360.com, ESPN's signature broadband sports network, is scheduled to provide live coverage in the U.S., Europe, Mexico and Brazil.

Harrah's Entertainment will distribute the World Series of Poker Europe programming in non-ESPN markets, which in 2007 totaled over 100 million households including U.K. host broadcaster Sky Sports.

"We have enhanced the schedule to build on our initial success and provide a richer experience for players," said World Series of Poker Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack. "If this year's World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas is any indication, the level of tournament play is increasing worldwide and we expect the second annual WSOPE to be hotly contested."

During the WSOP in Las Vegas, players can pre-register for WSOP Europe at the tournament cage as well as lock in poker player hotel rates via www.worldseriesofpoker.com. In addition, $1,570 Mega Satellites for the WSOP Europe Main Event will be held July 10th and 11th at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.

"We are extremely excited to be working alongside Harrah's and the World Series of Poker brand for a second year, said Betfair.com CEO David Yu. "Betfair Poker is now the only place players can qualify online for the tournament- this exclusivity shows how confident we are that WSOPE 2008 will be even bigger and better than before."

"London Clubs offers five unique casino experiences in the heart of London including The Rendezvous, The Casino at the Empire (in world famous Leicester Square), The Sportsman, Fifty and the Golden Nugget, "said Michael Silberling, COO, London Clubs International. "We look forward to hosting the second annual WSOP Europe."

WSOPE in London complements the WSOP held annually in Las Vegas. The inaugural 2007 event featured 623 entrants compete for GBP 1,305,215 over three tournaments including the Main Event that saw Norway's Annette Obrestad best a field that included Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth and Johnny Chan to win the largest amount ever for a female, GBP 1 million, or U.S. $2,013,102.

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