Oracle Red Bull Racing and PokerStars have announced a groundbreaking partnership targeting the crossover between professional poker and Formula 1 racing. The unified promotional campaign seeks to deliver unparalleled experiences for poker players and racing fans in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
The promotional tie-up comes over a year after Oracle Red Bull Racing and PokerStars signed a multi-year, exclusive branding partnership ahead of the F1 2022 season. At the beginning of the F1 2023 season in Bahrain, the two parties confirmed that their strategic alliance will continue to its second year.
The deal with the Milton Keynes-based F1 team means PokerStars will provide fans with exclusive rewards, curated content, and promotions throughout the season.
Red Spade Pass, launched by the two brands for European fans in March 2022, will be the highlight of this promotional collaboration. The Pass gives qualifying members exclusive access to premier racing events, such as Las Vegas Grand Prix, and the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Formula One lifestyle.
Last year, some PokerStars and Formula One community members won exclusive experiences at some of the most sought-after events on the F1 racing calendar, including the Brazilian Grand Prix and Monaco Grand Prix. They included a meet and greet with Red Bull Racing’s CEO Christian Horner, driver Sergio Perez, and other key team members.
Now, for the first time, North American poker players and F1 fans will have the chance to participate in this prestigious program through a series of qualifying tournaments and promotions hosted first in three states in which PokerStars operate: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
What we cover
PokerStars Offers Luxury Racing Experiences
Details of the PokerStars Red Spade Pass package include multiple extravagant amenities and exclusive luxuries. The lucky winner (and their plus one) will be flown business class to Las Vegas for a weekend of VIP experience ahead of the city’s inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The debut F1 Vegas race, which is already sold out, will run from November 16th to 18th on a 3.8-mile circuit that passes in front of the recently opened MSG Sphere, the Venetian, Caesars Palace, and the Bellagio.
Aside from Formula One races, the experience includes multiple stays in a lavish penthouse suite at Paris Las Vegas, along with ground transportation, gourmet dining, and VIP access to the exclusive F1 Paddock Club. The Pass also covers executive airport pick-up and drop-off, as well as private access to Formula One VIP parties.
Additional surprises may also be in store for the Pass holders, according to PokerStars representatives, who emphasize that the partnership aims to feed the passions of their audiences with memorable events and exciting rewards.
Targeting ‘Crossover’ Between Poker and Racing Fandom
PR and Partnerships director at PokerStars, Rebecca McAdam Willetts, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration’s potential to engage new segments of fans. She noted that the interest of PokerStars players overlaps with those of racing fans, citing the surging popularity of Formula One in North America in particular. Research shows younger demographics have embraced F1’s blend of cutting-edge technology, global spectacle, and pulse-pounding action.
The Red Spade Pass will target these crossover interests by introducing PokerStars’ large community in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan to the prestige and adrenaline of premier F1 racing events. More specifically, the crossover partnership will see PokerStars bring in Oracle Red Bull Racing experiences, rewards, and promotions.
PokerStars will also help their players embrace Formula One racing with a program of race weekend rewards. The roster will include a Casino Weekend Races Leaderboard, Odds Boost on sports wagers, Spin & Go Races, and Chicane Cash Drop.
PokerStars, which was established in October 2008 and acquired by Flutter Entertainment Plc in 2019 in a $6 billion buy-out deal, operates one of the most popular online poker sites in the New Jersey/Michigan combined market. It also has operations in Pennsylvania.
The PokeStars platform combines online poker, casino, and live dealer games. The operator launched its online sportsbook with a betting exchange service in 2022.
Spin & Go Races Promotion
PokerStars has launched the Spin & Go Races promotion exclusively for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan players to build excitement for upcoming Red Spade Pass qualifying tournaments.
Running through August 26th, this dynamic and fast-paced format will see participants wager $1 to compete in a hyper-turbo poker tournament with a weekly top prize of $5,000 in Michigan and Pennsylvania. The Weekend Races prize in New Jersey is $2,500.
By condensing the poker action into fast three-handed contests, Spin & Go Races deliver the thrilling experience that PokerStars and Oracle Red Bull Racing want to provide through their collaboration.
As part of the promotion, the Red Bull Racing-themed Casino Races will also include weekly leaderboard prizes of $500 in Pennsylvania and $1,000 in Michigan and New Jersey. Players who want to participate can visit the Casino Races lobby to sign up for the Spin & Go anytime. It’s free without any entry or buy-in fee.
Summer Series Brings Million Dollar Tournament to Philadelphia
Poker players can also win a Red Spade Pass at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, which will host an in-person tournament series from August 24th to September 10th. With a $1 million guaranteed prize pool, the PokerStars Summer Series will feature three headline events with buy-ins of $550, $1,100, and $2,200, respectively.
The $550 buy-in PokerStars event with a $200k guaranteed prize pool will take place in the 30-table poker room at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia from August 24th to 27th.
The second leg of the series will feature a $1,100 buy-in event from August 31st to September 4th with a $300k guaranteed prize pool. The last event will run from September 7th to 10th, with a guaranteed prize pool of $500k and a buy-in of $2,200.
The major events will take place alongside a schedule of side poker tournaments. While specific Racing Red Pass integration has yet to be announced, PokerStars’ reputation for creative promotions opens the potential for surprise bonuses.
Online Qualifiers for PokerStars Summer Series
PokerStars has launched an extensive program of online qualifiers in New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania for the Summer Series. The promotion will run throughout July and August with low buy-ins starting at $5.
Top prizes include six Summer Series packages, offering all-expenses-paid trips for two people. Each package will cover 5-star hotel accommodation for two, event entry, travel, and other expenses.
Final Thoughts
The collaboration between PokerStars and Oracle Red Bull Racing will bring together the high-stakes worlds of F1 motor racing and professional poker. Through creative promotions like the PokerStars Red Spade Pass and Summer Series, The ambitious campaign has the potential to help the two parties reach a wider crossover demographic.
