America Online, an internet
giant has taken a move to join the online gaming industry with a grand
announcement on Thursday
stating a partnership with the
gaming television network GSN to launch a digital blackjack hub on AOL
in April.
The blackjack area of
AOL will feature a no-stakes entrée to blackjack games, tips from
gambling professionals, and exclusive behind the scenes footage from
GSN's World Series of Blackjack television show in April.
Beginning Jan. 19
through Feb. 8, America Online will be promoting the hub with visitors
getting a chance at winning one of eight trips to Las Vegas, where
winners will play in a qualifying Blackjack tournament taped exclusively
for America Online.
The two finalists of
the qualifying tournament will join 40 other players competing for a
stake in the one million US dollar prize pool at the World Series of
Blackjack at the Las Vegas Hilton. The grand prize winner of this
tournament will receive half a million dollars.
The World Series of
Blackjack will consist of 13 one-hour weekly episodes which will begin
airing in June on GSN. As part of the partnership, GSN will direct
viewers of World Series of Blackjack and its Casino Night programming on
Monday nights to the new Blackjack area on AOL. The World Series of
Blackjack program will also be promoted across relevant sites on the AOL
network, including AOL Games, AOL Television, and AOL Vegas, among
others.
AOL recently
partnered with Harrah's Entertainment to create a World Series of Poker
online area on AOL.com, which features free poker games for players of
various skill levels, and opportunities for players to win a seat at
World Series of Poker events. AOL also recently launched AOL Vegas, a
new Las Vegas destination dedicated to all things Vegas from casino
games, travel planning, and original programming.
