For the first time in years, the World Series of Poker is being held with an online component in both Nevada and New Jersey.
As online traffic continues to decline since the two states legalized online gambling—Delaware has also legalized online play, but does not have a WSOP platform—Onlinepokerreport’s Robert DellaFave speculates whether the live event can help the online side, especially in New Jersey.
Only three of New Jersey’s online poker sites—through the Borgata and PartyPoker and Caesars WSOP.com—have been able to sustain reasonable poker traffic and those numbers have begun to decline.
DellaFave says the sites—Borgata and PartyPoker are partners—have to increase public awareness of their product.
The WSOP can help do that, at least for Caesars, through three areas, DellaFave wrote.
1) The WSOP.com Online Championship
WSOP.com is hosting a 15-event tournament series, the WSOP.com Online Championship. Beginning on June 1st, players from New Jersey and Nevada will have the opportunity to compete for $560,000 in guaranteed prize money, though in separate tournaments.
The online event could bring new player to the sites, especially in New Jersey where many players never experience the WSOP which is held in Nevada.
2) Media exposure
The Rio in Las Vegas, where the WSOP is held, recently implemented a new rule that will allow WSOP participants to play online while at a live table. Furthermore, this year’s WSOP will feature a computer-laden Grind Room where players can test their online poker skills.
Should ESPN dedicate a segment to the Grind Room, or even comment on a player mixing it up online during the Main Event, it will increase public awareness of WSOP’s online poker brand, DellaFave wrote.
3) Player awareness
At the 2014 WSOP, pros who may or may not have even heard of WSOP.com will get to experience their first taste of regulated US poker. In a best case scenario, pros originally from the US but now staying abroad will encourage their friends to take up stock in either Nevada or New Jersey to play online poker.
In any case, the WSOP should boost public knowledge of the online play available.
