Playdom, Harrah's Interactive launches WSOP game

AS VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- With the 2010 World Series of Poker down to the Main Event November Nine, and with record breaking participation in this, its 41st year, the world's most popular poker brand is launching an exciting social network poker application.

The competition is just heating up on Facebook with the launch of WSOP poker. Poker players across the globe will be able to engage in the WSOP experience all year long.

Harrah's Interactive Entertainment, Inc. (HIE) has entered into an agreement with privately-held Playdom, Inc., a Mountain View, California-based social games company, with more than 46 million active monthly users across their network of games.

Playdom will re-launch its existing online poker game, Poker Palace, by re-branding the Facebook game with the "World Series of Poker" brand and will work with the HIE team to create one of the most fun and social poker games available on social networks.

"We are very excited to bring the thrill and excitement of the World Series of Poker to the social gaming space with Playdom," said WSOP Vice President Craig Abrahams. "We will immediately start to work on enhancing the game, bringing unique WSOP promotions and sweepstakes into the offering and ensuring that the battle for WSOP virtual championship bracelets can become a Facebook-friendly endeavor."

The WSOP-branded poker game launches globally this week and can be found initially by visiting http://www.facebook.com/WSOP, with added social networks like MySpace and others following soon.

"There is only one brand in poker that stands out and that is the World Series of Poker," said Sean Phinney, Vice President of Business Development for Playdom. "We think big brands will win on social networks and we are excited to start working together to create a unique and fun social gaming experience."

Game enthusiasts will be able to choose from a variety of different poker offerings at WSOP on Facebook including single table play money, virtual cash games and single-table tournaments featuring both full-table and short-handed play. All poker play will feature play money only. Among the offerings coming soon include the battle for virtual WSOP bracelets, as well as opportunities to enter sweepstakes that award prizes including trips to Las Vegas and seats to live WSOP events.

The game is expected to evolve over time, adding regular updates and enhancements. In addition, a variety of other social gaming platforms will be offered to play the game globally.

In addition to this new social network game with Playdom, the WSOP already features one of the most popular mobile games in the marketplace, with its World Series of Poker Hold'em Legend in concert with Glu Mobile. It consistently ranks among the top-selling paid apps available in the iTunes store as well as on Android and other carrier stores.