A land-based deal between the Pokerstars online poker operator and Spain’s Casino Gran Madrid (see previous reports) came to fruition this week with the official opening of a new 200-table facility in Madrid under the Pokerstars LIVE brand.
This is the fourth land-targeted venture by the online poker giant, following agreements with Gran Waldo, Macau; London’s Hippodrome casino and a move to acquire the Atlantic Club casino in Atlantic City.
Pokerstars will undoubtedly use its online activities in Spain to cross-market the land venture games and tournaments and vice versa. At present the company offers a site branded pokerstarsmadrid.com to promote the facility, but a full marketing effort has yet to materialise.
The opening ceremony earlier this (February) month was well attended by Spanish and European celebrities