PokerStars targets "growth potential" in Asia
Online poker giant launches series of promotional initiatives aimed at growing its footprint in Japan and China
PokerStars is looking to unlock “growth potential” in Asia after announcing a series of promotional initiatives in China and Japan.
Spokesman Eric Hollreiser told eGR the “global promotion of poker” has always been an “important element” of PokerStars support for regulated online poker and was the key reason behind its decision to target players in Japan and China.
“We promote poker globally in order to introduce the game – and its skill-based elements – to new audiences and increase its popularity in regions where poker is still very new,” Hollreiser said.
Hollreiser added that PokerStars was promoting the game through its free-to-play offerings, such as pokerstars.net, live tournaments, and TV advertising.
As part of its promotional drive, Stars has also added Japanese model and actress Yuiko Matsukawa (pictured) to its roster of celebrity brand ambassadors, which include tennis superstar Rafael Nadal.
As part of her role, Matsukawa will participate in poker tournaments and marketing activities to “promote poker as a game of skill” in the country.
“Japan has a great deal of growth potential and we will actively promote pokerstars.net, including by having Matsukawa participate in live tournaments and various promotional and marketing campaigns that promote poker as a game of skill,” Hollreiser said.
The operator also announced that pokerstars.net has sponsored the 2015 Nanjing Millions Event which is part of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour China.
“We’ve seen great success in recent years in growing and promoting poker throughout Europe and more recently focussing on Latin America,” Hollreiser said.
“Asia is a more recent focus and in recent months we’ve announced sponsored players from Japan and India, as well as sponsored tournaments on mainland China and, of course, Macau,” he added.