- Pokerstars-branded poker room will open in early 2013.
- More than 20 poker tables with 200-player capacity.
- Will be promoted through pokerstars.ES.
- Monthly and quarterly special events.
PokerStars confirmed last week’s report that it was partnering with the Casino Gran Madrid to build a PokerStars-branded poker room in the casino.
The room will specialize in hosting tournaments and is planned to open early in 2013.
There will be over 20 poker tables with a total capacity of more than 200 players, according to the PokerStars press release issued Thursday.
Construction work has already started on the ambitious project which Paula Arriaga, Deputy General Director at Casino Gran Madrid boasts will “take poker to a new level.”
“Our ambition is to create an amazing atmosphere to play poker,” she explains, “adapting the lighting, the seats and the audiovisual support to the needs of the poker player.”
Plans include special monthly and quarterly events with a wide range of buy-ins. Marketing tactics will involve the room hosting educational sessions, high roller events and visits by celebrities and top professional players.
This deal is the latest in PokerStars’ new strategy of establishing partnerships with B&M casinos.
It announced this year a similar partnership with the historic Hippodrome casino in the centre of London’s West End, with its poker room also set to open in early 2013.
It is also reportedly in talks to buy the struggling Atlantic Club Casino in New Jersey.
PokerStars owns the European Poker Tour (EPT) and through such partnerships, it can market its brand to a wider audience as well as provide deluxe venues for live tournaments.