With the World Series of Poker set to kick-off June 1, commissioner Jeffery Pollack is confident that the purchase of WSOP parent, Harrah’s Entertainment, and recent turmoil in the online gaming industry will have little effect on the tournament.

Between a $17.1 billion private equity buyout of tournament host Harrah’s Entertainment, and U.S. legislation that is unfriendly to online poker players, there is plenty that could go wrong. But Pollack doesn’t think that will happen.

The biggest concern is how many players will register for the Main Event, which drew 8,773 players last year. The majority of those players, however, had their buy-in paid for by an online card room. With access to online poker rooms essentially cut off for U.S. residents, there is some fear that 8,773 players was the high water mark for the tournament, a record that won’t be eclipsed in the near future.

Pollack, however, said the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act will have no effect on enrollment or the tournament.

“The World Series of Poker has a 38-year history that has become evergreen,” he said.

The 2007 WSOP will also look a little better on TV thanks to the deployment by ESPN of several high-definition cameras to cover the event. The cameras will be used to generate 32 hours of coverage of the Main Event and earlier tournaments.

The World Series of Poker starts June 1 and runs through July 17. The Main Event starts July 6.

By Greg Jones

Greg Jones is managing editor of Casino Connection Nevada, as well as associate editor of Global Gaming Business magazine.

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