The inaugural World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) took place in 2007 and marked the first time a WSOP bracelet was awarded outside the US. 

In 2004, Harrah's Casinos purchased the rights to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and then continued their growth in late 2006 when they acquired London Clubs International who, at the time, ran three casinos based in London, namely Fifty, The Sportsman and Leicester Square.

On July 5 2007, Harrah's announced a partnership with sports betting giants Betfair and created the largest union ever formed between an online and offline gaming company.

Harrah's recognised that gaming laws in England are different to those in the US, laws which would permit players aged 18 years and above to participate in any tournaments they held, when the legal in Nevada is 21-years-old. The lowered age limit would allow players not permitted to play in the WSOP in Nevada the chance to win a coveted bracelet. A chance 18-year-old Norwegian sensation, Annette Oberstad, took with both hands when she won the £10k buy-in Main Event to become the youngest ever WSOP bracelet winner.

Despite only three events taking place, the first-ever WSOPE was deemed a huge success, attracting players from around the world, including some of the biggest names from the US. The European players dominated proceedings winning all three events.

Thomas Bihl took the first bracelet on offer in the £2,500 H.O.R.S.E event, defeating American professional, Jennifer Harman, to claim the £70,875 first prize. Dario Alioto emerged victorious in the £5k Pot-limit Omaha tournament and earned a very healthy £234,390 payday for outlasting 164 opponents over two days.

The Main Event attracted 362 players despite the buy-in being a gargantuan £10k, creating a total prize pool of £3,676,990! After an epic heads-up battle, Annette Oberstad beat John Tabatabai to become the youngest-ever WSOP bracelet and earn a massive £1m payout.

The eye-catching performances of the two young internet pros later earned them lucrative sponsorship deals from tournament sponsors Betfair. The second WSOPE starts on September 19 2008, giving players who went home from the WSOP disappointed and empty-handed, a second chance at a life-changing sum of money and of course, a piece of poker's most famous jewellery.