Absolute Rakeback Poker – Free Online Poker thanks to the World Series of Poker

With steady progress being made in the US for the regulation of online poker the World Series of Poker and Harrah’s have launched a completely free-to-use online poker site in anticipation of the time when online poker is no longer a grey area in the United States. Harrah’s are running the site with its gaming partner Dragonfish who run the UK real-money online poker site for the WSOP.

Currently WSOP.com offers real money play for UK poker players but in the US market things remain strictly money free. WSOP communications director Seth Palansky has revealed that there will be some serious prizes including seats to events in the 2011 World Series of Poker and exclusive trips to Harrah’s properties in Las Vegas. It is expected these may work as a form of absolute rakeback for those who play on the practice site.

The new online poker site will be advertised heavily throughout the WSOP coverage on ESPN and following a soft launch at the beginning of July Harrah’s have put a lot of weight behind their recent publicity push. Although the WSOP maintain that the release of the site has nothing to do with the progress made by HR2267 through to the House of representatives it is certain that they are ready and waiting should amendments be made to the current laws for online poker in America.

WSOP also have a poker game which can be played through Facebook and on your mobile phone. Palansky stated:

“We’ve had video games in the past. We’ve had a very successful WSOP mobile game that’s in the market now, and has done really well. Now, you can play through Facebook,” said Palansky. “This and [the play-money poker software on wsop.com] both basically have the same intent — a brand-building World Series of Poker official online game.”

With the clouds starting to thin above the online rakeback poker world it is looking increasingly likely that the bricks and mortar casinos will be looking to enter the industry and build their brands before changes are made to current poker affecting legislation.