888poker Signs Brazilian Soccer Legend Denilson

Poker continues to be increasingly popular game in Brazil, and so the country of 200 million people presents a hugely attractive market for international operators. While land-based casinos are not permitted in Brazil, card rooms are allowed to host live poker tournaments, and there are also plans afoot to regulate online poker in the future.
Against this backdrop, the world’s second biggest poker website, 888poker, has been making inroads into the Brazilian market, and has already signed poker pros Nicolau Villa-Lobos, Bruno Politano, and Bruno Kawauti to its team of sponsored players. This week, 888poker also announced the signing of one of the country’s most celebrated soccer stars, Denílson de Oliveira. As 888poker commented after his signing:
“We’re delighted to have signed him as a member of the 888poker team, because we want poker players to approach the game in a similar way. It is a game of skill, it takes practice and intelligence, but we also want our players to have fun and enjoy themselves along the way.”
The retired left winger was a proud member of the Brazilian national football team between 1996 and 2003, and was also part of the squad which won the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Now a sports commentator on a Brazilian TV, Denilson says many of his friends have started to play poker, which has led to him developing an interest in the card game.
How could he then not jump at the opportunity to represent a professional poker site at event’s across the country, whilst also learning from 888poker’s team of talented pros. Expressing his excitement as to the road ahead, Denilson said:
“Many of the qualities you need to be a successful footballer can help you improve your poker game. 888poker is one of the biggest and best poker platforms in the world, so I am very proud to join the 888poker team. I hope it will help develop my own pokers skills as well as encourage new players to get involved in this exciting game.”
Meanwhile, the world’s biggest poker site, PokerStars also enjoys a major presence in Brazil, and sponsors the popular Brazilian Series Of Poker. In addition, it has two of the country’s most respected footballers on its books, including the captain of the current Brazilian football team, Neymar, and retired legend Ronaldo, who won FIFA World Cups in 1994 and 2002.