Paris to host 2013 World Series of Poker Europe

The 2013 World Series of Poker Europe will take place in Paris inside the oldest casino in France.

Tournament officials announced Monday the seventh annual event will take place Oct. 11-24 in the lakefront Casino Barrière d'Enghien-les-Bains in greater Paris.

The casino has gone through several remodeling projects and includes a large convention facility to handle the tournament and a 500-seat theater to host the televised final tables. Two hotels are part of the complex.

"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," World Series of Poker Executive Director Ty Stewart said in a statement.

The complete events schedule is still being finalized. But it is expected to include seven World Series of Poker gold bracelet events, plus a high rollers event, and an assortment of satellites, cash games and side events.

The tournament will conclude with the No Limit Hold'em Main Event that will have an entry fee of 10,000 euros.

The previous two World Series of Poker Europe events were held in Cannes, France. From 2007 to 2010, the tournament was held in London.

Phil Hellmuth Jr. won his record-breaking 13th individual gold bracelet when he won the 2012 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event.

Tournament officials hope the location in Paris will boost attendance.

Enghien-les-Bains is a wealthy suburb of Paris, with its own train station that is 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, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom, including Chunnel service to London.

"Barrière's facilities in Enghien are amazing," Stewart said. "And there are likely 12 million Parisians all trying to make sure "Phillipe" Hellmuth doesn't win another bracelet on French soil."