Online betting and gaming company 888 announced Thursday a new partnership with provider of tamper-evident security solutions ECOSEC to use its biodegradable poker chip bags at all upcoming 888LIVE events, starting with 888poker LIVEBarcelona on May 12-23.
888poker will replace the essential, secure bags which were previously used with ECOSEC’s biodegradable, tamper-evident bags made from a Low-Density Polyethylene, which has an additive that makes the plastic oxo-biodegradable. This will enable all players at the tournament to continue to store their accumulated chips in a safe and secure way, without the use of single-use plastic.
All chip bags will be branded with the 888poker and 888poker LIVE logos, and players will be able to share their progress in the tournament by using a QR code printed on the bags and tagging 888poker and #888pokerAgainstPlasticPollution during the event.
This is the first time the group or any major operator in the sector incorporates biodegradable chip bags at an event, a press release explains. They will be used across all upcoming 888LIVE events globally in the coming years, supporting 888 in its way to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, as part of the “Made Greener” pillar of its Made for the Future sustainability framework.
— 888poker (@888poker) April 25, 2022
The initial purchase will remove approximately 130 kilograms of plastic from circulation. This will also support ECOSEC’s new Poker Against Plastic Pollution campaign, which works with selected charities to facilitate the planting of trees to help offset the impacts of environmental pollution.
In an official press release, Shai Tabibian, SVP – Head of the B2C at 888, spoke about this partnership and said: “We are proud that 888 will be the first major operator to partner with ECOSEC as part of this extremely progressive initiative.”
“We see innovation partnerships like this as a win-win-win for us, event organizers and the environment alike, and crucial in our efforts to positively minimize our impact on the environment,” added Tabibian. “Plastic chip bags have been used for many years, and we hope that this is the beginning of a new, more ecologically-friendly world of poker and gaming as we look into the future.”
Karim Louis, CEO of ECOSEC, said: “The Poker Against Plastic Pollution campaign came about after I started playing in poker festivals. It became clear to me that chip bags are essential for securing poker chips and in a tournament organizer’s processes, but that my organization could have a global impact in improving environmental awareness across the industry.”
“These new biodegradable bags are a bold invention, enabling players to post about their progress on social media in the usual way while also doing their bit for the environment. We’re very much looking forward to delivering these new bags to 888 for the first time and to continuing to partner with them at future events,” added Louis.
