888 to Use Biodegradable Poker Chip Bags at 888poker LIVE Event Series

World leading online betting and gaming company, 888, has announced that it has partnered with ECOSEC, the provider of tamper evident security solutions, to use its biodegradable poker chip bags at all upcoming 888LIVE events, starting with 888poker LIVE Barcelona, from 12^th – 23^rd May.

Ahead of the event in Barcelona, 888poker will replace the essential, secure bags which were previously used with ECOSEC’s biodegradable, tamper evident bags made from a Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), 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.

This will be the first time that the Group – or any major operator in the sector – incorporates biodegradable chip bags at an event. The bags will be used across all upcoming 888LIVE events globally in the coming years, supporting 888 in its ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030, as part of the “Made Greener” pillar of its Made for the Future sustainability framework.

The initial purchase will remove approximately 130 kilograms of plastic from circulation. This will also support ECOSEC’s new campaign, Poker Against Plastic Pollution, which works with selected charities to facilitate the planting of trees to help offset the impacts of environmental pollution.

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 the QR code printed on the bags and tagging 888poker and #888pokerAgainstPlasticPollution during the event.

Shai Tabibian, SVP – Head of B2C at 888, commented:

“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 organisers and environment alike, and crucial in our efforts to positively minimise our impact on the environment.

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, added:

“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 organiser’s processes, but that my organisation 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.”