The Stars Group Invests $9 Million in First Ever Pokerstars Players No Limit Hold'em Championship

Toronto (ots/PRNewswire) -

The Stars Group Inc. today announced the launch of the PokerStars
Players No Limit Hold'em Championship, a $25,000 buy-in poker
tournament that will be the culmination of all PokerStars online and
live promotions and player rewards throughout 2018. The year-long
journey to the tournament, which will take place in the Bahamas
January 6-10, 2019, will see PokerStars, the flagship brand of The
Stars Group, give away an estimated $8 million worth of free
tournament packages and contribute an additional $1 million to the
prize pool generated by entrants for first prize. PokerStars aims to
make the tournament the richest-ever $25,000 live event in poker
history.

This unique poker tournament is intended to bring the poker world
together in celebration of the game while providing a one-of-a-kind
immersive live poker experience and the chance for players of all
skill levels to win millions of dollars.

"We expect the PokerStars Players No Limit Hold'em Championship
will set the new global standard for live poker tournaments," said
Chief Executive Officer of The Stars Group, Rafi Ashkenazi. "We want
to demonstrate and reinforce our commitment to the game, and give
something back to the players by investing in our live events in a
meaningful way. Our objective is to create an event that brings
professionals and amateurs together, creating many winning moments
and unforgettable stories."

Throughout 2018, PokerStars will give away more than 300
tournament packages, known as Platinum Passes, on PokerStars live
tours around the world, and online in tournaments, cash games,
promotions, and via the Stars Rewards loyalty program. Each Platinum
Pass is expected to be worth around $30,000 and includes the $25,000
tournament buy-in, accommodation at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino
Resort in the Bahamas, and $2,000 in cash towards travel costs. Like
most poker tournaments, players can also buy in directly for $25,000.
Tournament participants can also expect potential additional rewards,
surprises and experiences like that of no other tournament.

"I'm super excited about the Players No Limit Hold'em
Championship," said Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu. "This is
going to be an incredible experience for those who participate and
everyone, no matter their skill level, has a chance to win a Platinum
Pass. It will be a must play event with loads of added value."

Following on from the well-loved PokerStars Caribbean Adventure
(PCA) earlier this year, PokerStars has also today announced the
refocus of certain of its live tour brands, including the European
Poker Tour (EPT), Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT), and Asia Pacific