The Czech Republic is set to become the new home of the World Series of Poker Europe after King’s Casino in Rozvadov signed a multi-year agreement from 2017 onwards.
The announcement comes as King’s Casino prepared to welcome a WSOP International Circuit event for the first time. It seems, on the surface at least, to be somewhat of a surprising choice for the biggest brand in poker given that Rozvadov, a small village near the German border, boasts a population of just 500 people.
However, the casino also happens to be home to Europe’s largest poker room and is a popular destination for players from all around the region due to its wide array of cash games and tournaments.
It will now add WSOPE to that list in both 2017 and 2019 – the first time the WSOP has held bracelet events in Europe since 2015. Each festival will include at least 10 WSOP gold bracelet events and a minimum of €5 million in guaranteed prize money. King’s Casino will also host two WSOP Circuit Events each year in 2018 and 2020 and one in 2017, 2019 and 2021. Dates and official schedules for 2017 are yet to be finalized.
The Rozvadov property is currently in the middle of a massive expansion project, which will see the addition of another 40 poker tables to the 150 already in use. A new hotel with 218 four and five-star rooms is also set to open its doors, including a state of the art wellness center.
“The existing set up already reminds me of the Amazon Room at the Rio and it’s only going to get bigger,” said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. “When the new hotel and the renovations are complete, this is going to be a very comfortable environment for a large festival such as ours. With King’s backing large guarantees and media coverage, we believe we have found a long term home for WSOPE to replicate the scale we enjoy in Las Vegas.”
