WSOP EUROPE ON THE MOVE

PARIS -- (December 17, 2012) – The 7th Annual World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) presented by BarrierePoker.fr is moving to one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, this time taking up residence in France’s oldest and most historic casino – the lakefront Casino Barrière Enghien-les-Bains in greater Paris.

 The 2013 WSOP Europe will be held from October 11-24, 2013 in the urban getaway town of Enghien-les-Bains, an affluent suburb less than 10 miles from the French capital. The Barrière owned resort facilities have undergone significant renovation, and now include Paris’ number one spa and wellness complex, “The Spark.”

With state-of-the-art convention/congress facilities that will allow all tournament play in one room, an opulent 500 seat theatre to host final tables and television production, the signature spa to rejuvenate players and two hotels as part of its complex, this location  promises to be the most comfortable and conducive set up for poker players in the WSOPE’s seven-year history.

“Part of our vision for WSOP Europe is to mix poker and pleasure – and introduce players to some of the most exciting destinations in Europe,” said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart.  “Barrière’s facilities in Enghien are amazing and there are likely 12 million Parisians all trying to make sure “Phillipe” Hellmuth doesn’t win another bracelet on French soil.  With our ideal dates scheduled to avoid conflicts for traveling players, expanded TV coverage and qualifiers planned, we expect to be back in record-setting mode in 2013.”

While the complete event schedule is still to be finalized, it is expected that seven WSOP gold bracelet events will be on the calendar, plus a high rollers event, and an assortment of satellites, cash games and side events, all concluding with the €10,000 Main Event.

Enghien-les-Bains is a wealthy suburb of Paris, with its own train station, just a 10-minute commute from the Gare du Nord (North Station).  Gare du Nord connects to the Paris metro (subway) service, and also runs trains to Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom, including Chunnel service to London.

Special rates for players will be made available on WSOP.com at a later date at the Grand Hotel Barrière, the Hotel du Lac and additional hotels in the greater Paris area.

The previous two WSOPE’s were held in Cannes, France, while from 2007-10, WSOPE was held in London, England.

About the World Series of Poker®

The World Series of Poker (WSOP®) was founded in 1970 and is the largest gaming event in the world. For 43 years, the WSOP® has awarded over $1.6 billion in prize money. This summer, the WSOP® will put on 60 live poker tournaments spread over 50 consecutive days in Las Vegas.  In 2012, the WSOP® attracted 74,766 entrants from 101 different countries and awarded over $222 million in prize money. The winner of each tournament wins a bracelet – globally recognized as the sport’s top prize – plus prize winnings fixed by the number of participants.

About Lucien Barrière Hôtels and Casinos

Lucien Barrière Hôtels and Casinos is a commercial brand encompassing two distinct hotel and casino groups: Groupe Lucien Barrière (GLB) and Société Fermière du Casino Municipal de Cannes (SFCMC). Establishments from both groups represented by the Lucien Barrière Hôtel and Casinos brand have developed a range of unrivalled high-quality leisure offers focusing on excellence, high quality service and French art de vivre. Lucien Barrière Hôtels and Casinos consists of 39 casinos, 17 luxury hotels, over 135 restaurants and bars, over 2,740 shows and events per year and over 7,300 employees.www.lucienbarriere.com

About BarrierePoker.fr

Set up in May 2010, BarrierePoker.fr is a joint-venture between Groupe Lucien Barrière and Groupe Française des Jeux. Backed by acknowledged expertise in both online gaming and poker, BarrierePoker.fr provides online games accessible to all players, regardless of level, and safe and responsible gaming in line with the strategy initiated by both French leading gaming operators. The partnership between the Groupe Française des Jeux, number 1 gaming operator, Lucien Barrière, number 1 casino operator in France, and On Line Gaming 3D, an existing partner to Groupe Lucien Barrière, marks the birth of the top French online gaming operator. In providing French people high quality online poker that is entertaining, accessible, responsible and ethical, the two companies sought to unite the best of their skills. BarrierePoker.fr is operated by LB POKER, a subsidiary of Groupe Lucien Barrière and Groupe La Française des Jeux.www.BarrierePoker.fr