The Casino at Portomaso will be welcoming the Malta Poker Dream event, the most prestigious poker tournament ever held in Malta, between 3 and 7 February.

The five-day tournament will be one of the best poker events in the Mediterranean region and a highlight in the year’s poker calendar, attracting numerous top class players who will pit their skill and luck for a very generous grand prize.

The majestic setting of the Portomaso Complex will be the backdrop for a truly glamorous event, having all the ingredients of a Vegas-style party, including international and local celebrities, grand gala buffet dinner and a live concert by the inimitable Umberto Smaila & Band.

To add further spice, the stunning Melita Toniolo accompanied by Francesca Fioretti, Natalie Bush, Alessia Fabiani and Raffaella Zardo – all popular Italian TV personalities, will host the event.

Yorgen Fenech, Casino at Portomaso CEO and the person who organised the event, believes that such tournaments are a niche that so far has been poorly exploited.

“Malta has so much to offer to the lucrative and glamorous world of poker... and now is the right time to make an impact,” he says, adding that in such tough times, Malta can offer the same level of service and quality of more renowned locations at a fraction of the price.

Mr Fenech also believes that such events attract quality tourists, thus offering a unique opportunity to show what Malta is all about.

“We have invested substantially to have a gaming environment that can host events of such calibre, and intend to keep hosting such events on a regular basis. We believe that we can contribute to the tourism industry and the country by exploiting such niches and be the best in the region.”

With the popularity of such events on the increase, the secret is to make them more accessible without diminishing their glitzy aura. This is what will guarantee other prestigious events in the months and years to come.