Online gaming giant 888.com links with UK's biggest snooker club chain Rileys for internet poker
Two of the biggest names in UK leisure have joined forces to launch a new online venture.
888, one of the world’s biggest online gaming companies, and Georgica, the owner of Rileys, the UK’s largest chain of 168 snooker and pool clubs, have announced a co-operation agreement whereby 888 will use its online poker capabilities to support Rileys’ website and clubs throughout the UK.
What is most impressive is the possiblity of the new internet poker site leveraging the massive Rileys membership base, which currently stands at nearly half a million individuals.
Under the terms of the initial three year agreement, 888 and Rileys will work together to develop the www.rileyspoker.com website, powered by 888.com. The poker site will be promoted by Rileys in their clubs, to their 525,000 members and externally in new club member recruitment.
Under the terms of this unique poker proposition, 888 and Rileys will develop a series of online and offline concepts including poker league tables, regional events and a televised national poker tournament. This is the first combined online and offline poker offering of its kind in the UK.
Georgica has already begun to roll out live, face-to-face poker tournaments to its Rileys snooker and pool members clubs, and expects to have live poker operating in around 100 clubs by Easter.
In addition to its online support, 888 will provide assistance and technical support for the roll out and running of these live, face-to-face poker tournaments.
This partnership enables Georgica to develop further its membership offering, both in clubs and online, as part of its continued strategy to grow and expand the Rileys business.
Gigi Levy, CEO of 888 commented: "This is a hugely exciting and ground-breaking partnership for 888 which allows us to offer a unique poker proposition to the gaming market. 888 and Rileys customers will have access to a multitude of innovative gaming alternatives unparalleled in the offline and online poker world, where customers are able to be part of a community of poker players that meet to play live poker both online and offline." Peter Haspel, MD of Georgica commented: "Our move to provide both live and online poker tournaments to the members of Rileys clubs represents an exciting opportunity for Georgica as part of its continued strategy to grow and expand the Rileys business. The agreement with 888 for the provision of online poker and assistance with the roll out of live poker gives Rileys access to the wealth of experience that 888 have in both online and offline poker and online marketing."
