Party Poker Signs Totti

Party Poker (www.partypoker.com) has landed a major sports star as one of its ambassadors.

Francesco Totti has signed a deal to represent party poker publicly and to play exclusively online at its poker tables. Party Poker has recently been ramping up their efforts in acquiring big sports talent to help promote their brands including their online casino & poker room and this is just the latest signing.

Footballer Totti, who is known as “Er Pupone” in Italy, is likely one of the bigger sports stars to sign a contract with online gaming company. Party Poker is owned by Party Gaming which is undergoing a new marketing effort and increased promotional strategies following its dismal 2009 earnings.

For his part, Totti is excited to play for party gaming.

“I always apply myself with skill, intelligence, loyalty and passion,” he said. “You need all these abilities for poker and it is also a game that excites me and is a lot of fun. The qualities you need to become a good poker player are very close to those of the sport.”

Party Poker officials, meanwhile, are excited to add Totti to its ever-growing list of Party Poker ambassadors. Said a Party Poker spokesman, “He is one of the greatest football players of his generation — the question is now will he be one of the greatest poker players of his generation too? What Totti strives for he normally succeeds in achieving. He is a huge signing.”

Initially, Party Poker will highlight Totti in Italian markets. And for Italian customers to PartyGaming.com, there are some special promotional deals related to the Totti signing. Introductory bonuses include a ‘Totti 10’ welcome bonus. Totti freerolls will be available to new customers and other promotions might be offered as well. It’s not yet known if Toddy will become simply an ambassador for PartyPoker.com within Italy, or if he will represent the site worldwide.