World Poker Tour will head to Barcelona

LOS ANGELES, California -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- On May 19 – 23, Casino Barcelona will welcome World Poker Tour® (WPT) back to Spain as it returns to crown the fourth ever WPT Spanish Champion. The 2010 WPT Spanish Championship main event will feature a 3,200 + 300€ buy-in with opportunities to enter via numerous online qualifiers and land-based satellites, including super satellites on May 17 and 18.

Since its addition to the World Poker Tour in 2007, the annual event has drawn top pros and world class players from across Spain and Europe to compete for the title, including Gus Hansen, Erik Seidel, Barry Greenstein, Antonio Esfandiari, Annette Obrestad, Ludovic Lacay and Steve Sung, among others. When the smoke clears at the May 23 final table, the winner will join the ranks of Markus Lehmann of Austria, Denmark 's Casper Hansen, and reigning WPT Spanish Champion, American Mark Randal Flowers. The new Champion will take home a WPT title and a $25,500 entry into the 2011 WPT World Championship.

"Casino Barcelona has been an incredible partner-- from player and partner servicing to tournament staff, their dedication to every detail is second to none," said Rohin Malhotra, WPT Chief Executive Officer. "They will continue to be a key partner as we expand our presence in Spain , and we are looking forward to this wonderful event."

One of Spain's most prestigious casinos, Casino Barcelona is a recognized European leader in high level poker events and sets the bar in the Spanish gaming sector. Located steps from the Mediterranean Sea in one of the finest spots in the city—Port Olímpic—beneath the luxury of the five-star Hotel Arts/Ritz Carlton, Casino Barcelona features a large offering of slot machines and a variety of table games, including poker, French and American Roulette, Black Jack and Mini Punto-Banco. Casino Barcelona is a property of Grup Peralada, one of the largest casino operators in Spain.