2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion Joe Hachem announced this weekend that he has forged a new relationship with the AsianLogic Group. AsianLogic has a hand in many arenas of gambling in the Asia Pacific markets, from online and live sports betting to online casinos to multiplayer P2P games. The company is licensed in the Philippines.
In a press release, the Melbourne resident detailed some of the reasons for the partnership on his end. “After many years working extensively around the world, I made the decision that my next venture would keep me closer to home, would allow me to spend more time with my family and was something that presented me with a wider range of opportunities,” Hachem said.
“I am delighted to announce that I have decided to partner with a consortium comprising the AsianLogic Group and some of their contemporaries,” he continued. “I will be working with the group in several areas, initially as a new ambassador for the Asian Poker Tour to further the growth of poker and to assist them with several strategic opportunities in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.”
Hachem had been with PokerStars, the world’s largest online poker room, for six years, establishing the relationship after he won the WSOP Main Event. That partnership came to a mutual end in December. At the time, Hachem said, “It’s been a great run with PokerStars and I’m proud of my association with the people and the company. But it’s time for me to pursue other career opportunities and it will be fun to have some down time to spend with my family. I look forward to the future with much excitement and anticipation and will always have fond memories of my time at PokerStars.”
The Aussie is obviously best known for his $7.5 million win in the 2005 WSOP, but he has also seen his fair share of success since his big moment. The following year, he nearly captured a second bracelet, finishing as the runner-up to Dutch Boyd in the $2,500 Short-Handed No-Limit Hold’em event, earning himself over a quarter million dollars. During that same 2006 WSOP, he also placed 4th in the $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold’em event and had a fairly deep run in the Main Event, placing 238th. In December of 2006, Hachem won the $15,000 World Poker Tour (WPT) Doyle Brunson North American Poker Classic, a score of over $2.2 million.
He has a long string of cashes since then, including an 11th place finish in the 2008 European Poker Tour (EPT) Grand Final ($159,818), a win in the 8-Game Championships at the 2009 EPT London ($67,499), and a runner-up finish in the Main Event at last year’s The Big Event in Los Angeles ($300,000). All told, Joe Hachem has won over $11.3 million on the live tournament circuit in his career.
To conclude his thoughts about his new relationship with AsianLogic, Hachem said, “I considered offers from several other brands, but this partnership was the best fit for me as it gave me an active role and the ability to participate as the businesses evolve. The Asia Pacific poker market is still in its infancy and has in my opinion, huge potential for growth relatively to the European more mature markets. The United States are also going through an important phase and it will take a little time before things come into place and operators emerge. Working with a partner in the same time zone makes life a lot easier and whilst I am still going to be traveling to the major poker tournaments, being able to spend more time at home is fantastic.”
