World Series of Poker & One Drop Aim to Raise $1,111,111 with Charity Campaign Kicking Off This Week

June 25,2013 /3BL Media/ - After a successful debut with a sold-out inaugural BIG ONE for ONE DROP™ in 2012 that raised $5.6 million for ONE DROP, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and ONE DROP are pleased to announce two poker events with charitable components, with one kicking off Wednesday.

“ONE DROP is doing important and impactful work and we intend to continue to help their efforts,” said Mitch Garber, CEO, Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Inc. (owners of the WSOP). “We were wildly successful out the gate in 2012, but we can’t slow down. Access to clean water is a worldwide issue that needs our continued attention and Caesars, the WSOP and the poker community will continue to go All In for ONE DROP.”

This year’s version is two-fold. The WSOP will offer a High Roller (#1dropHighRollers) event with an $111,111 buy-in on Wednesday, June 26 at 12 noon, known as WSOP Event #47. This three-day official WSOP gold bracelet event does have a charitable component, as 3% of the buy-in amount will be re-directed to ONE DROP as a charitable contribution from the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. $107,777 of each buy-in will go towards the prize pool, which is expected to reach over $10 million. Players who cash in this event will be encouraged to consider donating some of their winnings to ONE DROP.

Then, on July 3 & July 4, the WSOP will host another official WSOP gold bracelet event with a charitable component. Event #58A & 58B, the LITTLE ONE for ONE DROP (#Little1drop), with a $1,111 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event, features two starting flights and unlimited re-entry through the first four levels each day. Players must be out of chips to re-enter. From each buy-in, $111 will be donated to ONE DROP.

Additionally, the WSOP-ONE DROP alliance will continue to enourage all poker players, who cash in any WSOP event to consider going All In for ONE DROP (@Allinfor1drop) by donating 1% of their winnings to ONE DROP.  Poker players have a long, consistent and successful track record of supporting charitable causes via poker tournaments and can help ensure water access for everyone, today and forever. With the help of the poker communiy we aim to raise $1,111,111.

“It’s amazing what you can achieve when you dream,” said ONE DROP chairperson Guy Laliberté. “We took a concept and turned it into the most successful poker initiative ever held. As a result, ONE DROP has transformed 150,000 lives. Projects in Honduras, El Salvador and Burkina Faso have already put the money to use. With these type of initiatives, we can continue to impact the lives of those in need, while at the same time raising awareness of the impact water has on our planet.”

After winning the Big One for ONE DROP, Antonio Esfandiari got involved with ONE DROP and started supporting its mission. With his poker player friends Jeff Gross and Phil Laak, Antonio travelled to Honduras and El Salvador to visit ONE DROP’s projects. “ONE DROP’s initiatives are not just about giving access to water, they are about giving hope for a brighter future,” said Esfandiari. “The money we raise for ONE DROP goes a long way and it changes lives forever.”

Antonio, Jeff and Phil have all pledged to go “All in for ONE DROP” and donate 1% of their winnings to ONE DROP during WSOP 2014.

Last year, select Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas resorts participated in fundraising and in-room efforts as part of the company’s larger commitment to be responsible stewards of environment. The 2012 contributions helped to fund three major five-year infrastructure projects to provide clean drinking water to an estimated 70,000 people living in Burkina Faso, El Salvador and Honduras. Committed to operating sustainably, the company implements hundreds of environmentally friendly programs through its CodeGreen initiative that provides tangible low-carbon solutions to reduce water, energy and waste consumption at all Caesars resorts. The WSOP efforts are designed to further Caesars’ environmental and social impacts through ONE DROP to aid people around the world live healthier lives through environmentally sustainable efforts. To learn more about the company’s comprehensive approach to combat climate change and its commitment to stewardship of the environment, visit www.caesars.com/codegreen.

About ONE DROP

ONE DROP—a non-profit organization established in 2007 by Guy Laliberté, Founder of Cirque du Soleil—strives to ensure that water is accessible to all, today and forever by developing integrated water-access and management projects around the world. In the U.S., ONE DROP is a public charity that undertakes innovative activities in which water plays a central role as a creative force to generate positive, sustainable change worldwide. To learn more about ONE DROP, visit ONEDROP.org

About CAESARS’ CODEGREEN

Caesars Entertainment believes that the problems facing the planet demand real action today. The company’s CodeGreen initiative provides tangible low-carbon solutions to reduce water, energy and waste consumption at all Caesars resorts. CodeGreen enhances the first-class experience of Caesars Entertainment guests, creating healthier, cleaner communities around the world. More than 200 Caesars Entertainment employees have completed Caesars’ CodeGreen Meetings & Events Certification training program.

CodeGreen has won more than 50 prestigious environmental awards and certifications, including the Silver IMEX Green Supplier Award and ten Travelife Gold property certifications. For further information on CodeGreen and to view Caesars Entertainment’s sustainability report visit www.caesars.com/codegreen or visit the CodeGreen blog at www.codegreen.harrahsblogs.com. Be a part of the conversation on Twitter by following @cetcodegreen (#caesarscodegreen), and liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CaesarsEntertainmentCodeGreen.

About the World Series of Poker

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the largest, richest and most prestigious gaming event in the world awarding millions of dollars in prize money and the prestigious gold bracelet, globally recognized as the sport’s top prize. Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker variation, the WSOP is poker’s longest running tournament in the world, dating back to 1970. In 2012, the event attracted 74,766 entrants from 101 different countries to the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and awarded over $222 million in prize money. To learn more about the World Series of Poker, visit WSOP.com.

Media Contacts:

Seth Palansky, VP, Communications, WSOP, (702) 407-6344 or spalansky@caesars.com

Pien Bowler, Communications Manager ONE DROP, (702) 207.9093 or pien.bowler@cirquedusoleil.com