World Snooker Championship has a new sponsor: 888.com

GIBRALTAR - 888.com, the number one online casino and online poker room in the world, will sponsor the World Snooker Championship for the next five years after it entered into a multi-million euro contract. Also, 888 is an associate supporter of other similar snooker events counting the UK Championship, the Masters, and the Grand Prix.

John Anderson, 888.com's chief executive, is delighted by the recent sponsorship. "I am pleased that we have the chance to be associated with something as important as snooker's premier event," Anderson said. "Snooker is a national institution in the UK which is flourishing abroad. We are thrilled to be playing a part in taking the sport into a new era."

The chairman of World Snooker, Rodney Walker, also showed his enthusiasm regarding the association. "This is a big day for snooker. The World Championships is our flagship tournament, and a main event on the sporting calendar," Walker said.