Harrah's and AOL ink deal for Online World Series

Harrah's Entertainment has signed an agreement with America Online to create a cyberspace home for the World Series of Poker that will include free-play poker rooms, event updates and other content in an effort to widen the tournament's audience.

The relationship between Harrah's and AOL will also allow 12 poker fans, age 21 or older, to win a free seat at the $10,000 buy-in No limit Texas Hold'em world championship event at either the 2006 or 2007 World Series of Poker.

The new concept, expected to be announced today, makes AOL the exclusive online partner for the World Series of Poker. Both AOL subscribers and non-AOL subscribers will be able to access the World Series of Poker content through AOL.com. A spokeswoman for the Internet service provider said 10 million visitors a month access games from the AOL Web site.

Once launched, the AOL World Series of Poker location will feature free-play poker games for players of all skill levels, private poker rooms and tournaments, and behind-the-scenes reports from the World Series of Poker events. The World Series of Poker operates a circuit tour with events at Harrah's casinos throughout the United States.

This year's World Series of Poker drew more than 30,000 participants to 45 events with a record prize pool of $103 million. The world championship event drew 5,619 players with a total prize pool of $52 million. The final nine players each won at least $1 million; Joseph Hachem of Australia won the overall title and $7.5 million.

ESPN is now broadcasting taped play from this year's World Series of Poker. The 2006 event will take place next summer at the Rio.

Pollack said AOL will have the only free-play Internet poker game offering in the United States where, subject to applicable laws, 12 poker fans can win a seat in world championship event. He said AOL would set up the various qualifying tournaments and details for the competition were still being worked out.

While the AOL ties with the World Series of Poker will eventually lead to more marketing chances for Harrah's, AOL and the event, Pollack was quick to point out the deal should not be confused with the growing online poker phenomenon.

AOL representatives said the growing popularity of poker fueled the relationship with the World Series of Poker.

Harrah's and AOL cited research that showed a continuing climb in interest of poker among the mainstream public.