In this column, we deliver you the latest and most interesting online poker industry news from across the world and all platforms.
Americas Cardroom as official sponsor of Latin America’s biggest casino
Extending its presence across the Latin American market, US-friendly Americas Cardroom has announced its official partnership with the region’s biggest casino, Enjoy Punta del Este in Uruguay. As its sponsor, the flagship site of Winning Poker Network is marking the start of its return to the live poker scene, similar to that of its previous offerings, Punta Cana Poker Classic in the Dominican Republic or Cage Live in Costa Rica.
“After a challenging 18 months, we’re happy that the pandemic is finally in the rearview mirror and we can start thinking about live poker tournament again”, ACR stated in its blog.
https://twitter.com/ACR_POKER/status/1435272241688846346?s=20
As ACR’s online following shifts its focus to the brand’s forthcoming land-based events, players can get ready to win exciting prize packages on the client itself and head to Uruguay’s Atlantic Coast to enjoy Punta Del Este’s fabulous ocean views and that much needed r&r on the beach.
“We can’t wait to tell you the details about our upcoming events in Uruguay. Of course, we’ll have lots of prize packages up for grabs that cover your airfare, hotel accommodations, tournament buy-in, and spending money”, it added.
Natural8 – GGNetwork hosts $12.4M GTD Asia Poker League series
Back for the third time this year, Asia Poker League is following the success of its two prior online festivals with another similar tournament series covering ¥80,000,000 in guaranteed prizes (~USD 12.4M). From September 19 through October 3, 2021, online players on the leading site can test their skills on the virtual felt to win exclusive prizes across the festival’s 20 Jade Trophy Events and huge array of side events costing from $1.71 to $1,550.
As usual, the APL Online Series utilizes local currencies (convertible to USD) for its buy-ins and guarantees with the main one being the Chinese Yuan (CNY). The ¥1,888 (~USD 294) Golden Week Main Event remains to be the highlight of the festival, boasting a guaranteed prize pool of ¥10,000,000 (~USD 1.55M). Kicking off its first starting flight on the 20th, a total of 53 Day 1s complete the schedule with Day 2 set to play through on the festival’s concluding day, October 3rd.
APL Trophy Events Schedule
| Date | Time (CST) | Event | Buy-in | Guarantee |
| September 19, 2021, Sunday | 16:00 | #1: Da Nang River’s Bounty Tip-off | VND 1,050,000 | VND 1,500,000 |
| 19:00 | #2: Bounty Harvest Superstack | CNY 2,021 | CNY 2,000,000 | |
| September 20, 2021, Monday | 19:00 | #3: Hanoi Enter the Dragon [6-Max] | VND 2,200,000 | VND 2,000,000,000 |
| September 21, 2021, Tuesday | 19:00 | #4: Mid-Autumn Festival Classic | CNY 815 | CNY 888,000 |
| September 22, 2021, Wednesday | 19:00 | #5: Ho Chi Minh City Championship | VND 3,300,000 | VND 3,000,000,000 |
| September 23, 2021, Thursday | 19:00 | #6: Manila Metro Million | PHP 1,100 | PHP 2,500,000 |
| September 24, 2021, Friday | 19:00 | #7: Taipei Bounty Hunter | TWD 2,100 | TWD 3,000,000 |
| September 25, 2021, Saturday | 16:00 | #8: Jeju Jade Dragon | KRW 110,000 | KRW 100,000,000 |
| 19:00 | #9: Seoul Starleague Bounty | KRW 210,000 | KRW 200,000,000 | |
| September 26, 2021, Sunday | 19:00 | #10: Macau Grand Prix | CNY 3,300 | CNY 2,500,000 |
| 20:30 | #11: Autumn Championship [Final Day] | CNY 888 | CNY 3,880,000 | |
| September 27, 2021, Monday | 19:00 | #12: Tokyo Poker Open | JPY 5,000 | JPY 10,000,000 |
| September 28, 2021, Tuesday | 19:00 | #13: Kunshan King of the Hill [6-Max] | CNY 660 | CNY 800,000 |
| September 29, 2021, Wednesday | 19:00 | #14: Xi’an Silk Road Bounty | CNY 525 | CNY 800,000 |
| September 30, 2021, Thursday | 19:00 | #15: Sanya Bay Shooting Star | CNY 840 | CNY 1,000,000 |
| October 1, 2021, Friday | 19:00 | #16: National Day Bounty Celebration | CNY 1,001 | CNY 1,000,000 |
| October 2, 2021, Saturday | 16:00 | #17: Kunming Mountain Monster Stack | CNY 550 | CNY 800,000 |
| 19:00 | #18: Shanghai Masters of Poker | CNY 1,100 | CNY 1,500,000 | |
| October 3, 2021, Sunday | 19:00 | #19: Beijing Capital Cup | CNY 2,200 | CNY 2,000,000 |
| 20:30 | #20: Golden Week Main Event [Final Day] | CNY 1,888 | CNY 10,000,000 |
888 Holdings acquires William Hill International for £2.2bn
A monumental move for 888 Holdings, the online gambling firm issued a press release last September 9th, announcing its confirmation of a £2.2bn (~USD 3.03bn) deal with casino giant Caesars Entertainment for William Hill’s non-US assets. It was only April of this year when Caesars acquired the UK-brand for £2.9bn and shortly after, announced the sale of its business outside of the US. William Hill stands to be one of the UK’s leading and most trusted bookmakers, with over 1,400 retail betting shops across the country, as well as 2 million active online UK customers.
888 chief executive Itai Panzer viewed the acquisition to “create one of the world’s leading online betting and gaming groups” and would provide “significantly enhanced exposure to sports betting, the world’s largest and fastest growing online segment, with the addition of an iconic sports brand.“
“Our strategies are also complementary, being digitally led, customer focused, and committed to player protection and raising industry standards around safer gambling. We are also excited about the opportunities that the retail business provides and see significant brand benefits“, added Panzer.
Partypoker’s Grand Prix KO series returns this September
The popular progressive knockout format is back on online poker site, partypoker this September 19 through October 4, 2021, after a successful initial series earlier this summer. An online version of partypoker LIVE Grand Prix, this autumn’s Grand Prix KO online series features 16 numbered events with buy-ins ranging from $5.50 to $530 throughout its 16-day schedule.
This season’s $109 Grand Prix KO Series Main Event boasts an impressive prize pool of $500,000 and is set to kick off on September 26th, Sunday covering several Day 1 flights following thereafter. Aside from its multitude of satellites, low stakes players will also be glad to know that there will be a Mini Main Event for a more modest $11 buy-in and $100,000 in guaranteed prizes to be awarded. Reigning Main Event champion Sasa Lukovic took down the 5,407-entry field last August and claimed over $50K in total prizes for his impressive run.
“The Grand Prix KO Series is designed to be fun for everyone. With buy-ins from $5.50 to $530, all players have a chance to win a title. The player-friendly structures for different time zones mean players can run deep and still get a good night’s sleep! I’m most looking forward to the Main Event and the 6-Max events, and I can’t wait for the series to start”, said Team partypoker’s Louise Butler.
