Poker Crosses to German TV

RTL is one of the most popular, widely broadcast and largest commercial television station in Germany. It is now on its way to leave its mark on the poker world, too.

The German media group has signed an exclusive agreement with England's PartyGaming. The two companies will launch together a new website, RTLpoker.de, with linked advertisements to the PartyGaming's website.

RTL is already a popular destination on the web, with over 6 million visits a month. The cross marketing between the existing site content and online gambling is a new frientier that may turn out significant.

The German market is one of the most sought after frontiers with all that concerns online gambling. The central European country has yet to regulate the market, thus it is untapped. The potential market share, based on other European countries' success and neighboring Austria's successful Bwin, for example, is considerable.

The RTL television station will also be part of the deal. Party's website and poker school will be advertised on the TV station.

It is not, PartyGaming emphasized, a white label deal. The two companies will join services, not present one in the disguise of another.

Party's CEO Mitch Garber did not hide his excitement when he said "This is a hugely exciting opportunity for us to work with the German internet division of Europes leading broadcaster."