888.com Unveils Celebrity Line Up for One of Europe's Most Prestigious Poker Tournaments

Shane Warne and Ronnie O'Sullivan go head to head to try and win a share of $648k at the fifth 888.com Poker Open Championship.

The 888.com Poker Open Championship is certainly a highlight in the poker calendar. Now in its fifth year, the competition is attracting some of the best players in the world which makes for an even more competitive tournament than last year. The TV cameras will no doubt capture all the excitement and unexpected turns from start to finish.

(PRWEB) August 29, 2008 -- 888.com, the world's No.1 online casino, has announced the launch of the 888.com Poker Open V, with even more celebrities, poker professionals and online qualifiers battling it out for a place in the final to win a slice of a $648,000 jackpot.

Now in its fifth year, the tournament will be filmed for Sky TV at the Maidstone television studios where filming takes place between October 27th and November 7th, while it airs between January and June 2009, every Tuesday night at 2200 on Sky Sports. The public will have a bird's eye view of the celebrities competing against each other and the 100 other entrants for a place in the final of one of the Europe's biggest televised poker events.

The 108 seats will be filled by 8 celebrities, including Shane Warne and Ronnie O'Sullivan, who will battle it out against 65 poker professionals and 35 888poker online qualifiers from around the world, all eager to claim the prestigious title of the 888.com Poker Open V Champion.

The Sky TV cameras will return to film the event from play-offs through to the final covering the triumphs and disappointments along the way. It makes compulsive and exciting viewing as the winners and losers demonstrate their skills and nerve in front of the TV cameras.

Matt Robinson, Marketing Director for 888.com, said "The 888.com Poker Open Championship is certainly a highlight in the poker calendar. Now in its fifth year, the competition is attracting some of the best players in the world which makes for an even more competitive tournament than last year. The TV cameras will no doubt capture all the excitement and unexpected turns from start to finish."

For further information, interviews and photography please contact Jonny Natas at jonny.natas @ 888holdings.com

Notes to Editors:

About 888.com
888.com is one of the World's leading gaming and entertainment companies. It has millions of members worldwide who enjoy its casino, bingo and poker rooms and receive an online gaming experience like no other.

Founded in 1997 by pioneers of the online gaming industry, 888.com has developed a strong brand grown by cutting-edge marketing through offline sponsorships, poker events, online collaborations and continual upgrading of its flagship online products; 888.com Casino, Bingo and Poker.

888.com's goal is to provide quality entertainment to people who enjoy gambling, by giving them the opportunity to do so in a safe, fun, fair, regulated and secure environment. Its clients are its assets and it continually makes every effort to establish customer satisfaction by building relationships via service, honesty, advice and trust - with every member!

888.com operates under a license granted by the Government of Gibraltar for the purposes of operating an online casino and poker room. 888.com has adopted the code of conduct of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC), of which it is a member.

888.com is operated by Cassava Enterprises (Gibraltar) Ltd. A registered company incorporated and located in Gibraltar (company registration number 83961). The company has other offices around the world and employs over 750 employees. 888.com can be used in 11 different languages in 176 countries worldwide.

A leading force in the gaming industry since 1997, 888.com continually strives to be the No.1 site. It was a founding member if eCOGRA, an independent standards authority for the industry committed to protecting online players around the world. It continually donates to UK and global charities and is working even harder on its CSR messages as well as promoting eCOGRA and providing an international framework of best operational and player practice requirements enforced through inspections, reviews and continuous monitoring by global audit companies.

888.com recently announced its first acquisition; the bingo business and assets from Globalcom Limited. Bingo games can now be found at 888.com as can other new offerings including Backgammon.

Further to the new site offerings and following significant technological investment, 888.com has recently embarked in to new on-land ventures; partnering with key brands to deliver specific propositions. Its first partnership, announced early 2007, is an innovative cooperation with Rileys snooker and pool clubs for which 888.com uses its online poker capabilities to power www.RileysPoker.com. 888.com has also seen the launch of mobile, in-flight, and in-hotel casino where customers can access their favourite games, not only from their computers but from mobile phones and televisions too.

Over the last 3 years, 888.com has been named Best Online Casino twice running and Best Online Operator of the Year at the eGaming Awards as well as being voted Best Online Casino at the Inside Edge Awards and most recently, being named Best Online Casino at the UK Gambling Awards.

Offline activity sits side by side the online business, complimenting 888.com's position as the leading authority in gaming entertainment. 888.com is the main sponsor of UEFA Cup Champions Sevilla FC in Spain and the title sponsor of the 888.com World Snooker Championship held at The Crucible in Sheffield. 888.com also has individual associations with top snooker talents in the world; Ronnie O'Sullivan and 888.com World Champion John Higgins.

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