Im real upset that Harrah's wont let any outside vendors into their WSOP. The first year I went Full Tilt, Poker Stars, Ab,Bodog, UB, etc, everyone was there. T Shirts, books, seminars, free drinks, doodads, etc. It was a festive atmosphere. Made you want to play. Now I guess Harrah doesnt want the online competition. Dont they know a lot of us wouldnt be here unless there was on line play?
One of the allowed vendors, Card Runner, had to erase the poker sites on their poker training videos. Can Harrah be so cheap and insecure to think that on line companies would steal their live customers.
Come on the WSOP is a mecca for all poker players. What are they thinking?

Their reasons for doing so are purely legal reasons as far as I know -- they don't want to promote online poker within the US due to the murky legal status of online poker. That's why European-only sites have booths/rooms and US sites do not.

Thank the UIGEA for that.

Oh wow OP...

OP has apparently been living under a rock, in a cave, in Northern Siberia for the past two years.

It really sucks that it's so difficult to find a good buggywhip too.

Apart from any legal concerns (as already discussed), I am sure another reason to limit it to specific vendors, is becuase the winning vendor (i.e. the vendor that paid the most to be the "official beer" of the WSOP or "offical whatever" of the WSOP negotiated an exclusive. For example, If an insurance company sponsors a college football bowl game, then that insurance company does not want the bowl to accept sponship dollars from another insurance company at the same event. The "Official" sponsor does not want competition inside the enviroment that it paid for. They want all of the media advertising. If Harrah's is getting into the on-line business overseas, why would they want to advertise for the competition on the world's largest poker stage. If those on-line sites want that type of exposure, then they should brand an event.

ThreeBeers

Um ... What he said..

Sorry I posted anything at all. I just wanted to voice my personal feelings about not having vendors like Bluff, Card Player, FT, PS etc to get info about their new plans and product. THese merchants always pump up my interest in the game itself. Will keep quiet about it if I offended more of youknowledgeable posters

kahuna I know this is off topic, but you need a stronger skin than that on this interweb of ours, especially when you're a newb.

no autocensor means no fun.

For every unfortunate who posts and gets his arse flamed, there's dozens or more that might have thought or wondered the same thing and got informed at their expense. Don't sweat the petty things (pet the sweaty things).

Thanks B! I really dont give a rats Azz! But some just want to make it uncomfortable for us newbies. Like kids on a playground. I did go to Vegas for the WSOP this year and had a great time. Also played at Ceasars, Binions, and the Nugget. So I know what I am capable of. Already have a BR for next year. This year I was 6 out of the money and intend to hit it next year. I dont care. Im living a great life.

Then blame your Congress, Not Harrahs!