Global casino operator, Harrah's Entertainment, has penned an agreement with automated poker table manufacturer, PokerTek, to use their tables for future installments at any of Harrah's fifty casinos in the future. As part of the agreement, PokerTek will have the right to supply its tables branded with the World Series of Poker trademark, which is similar to their deal with Carnival Cruise Lines, in which PokerTek's automated tables are branded with the World Poker Tour trademark.

While it is not clear which casinos Harrah's will be offering PokerTek's tables at, both parties are optimistic the games will continue to be in high demand by gamblers. Harrah's Head of Table Games, Gerry Tuthill, said that as the game of poker continues to boom, more players are becoming comfortable with the rules of poker and more adept to fast-paced action, which PokerTek's tables certainly facilitate. In other words, Harrah's has recognized there is a market for automated poker tables.

PokerTek also recognizes a niche for their tables, which is not just limited to Harrah's casinos. PokerTek founder, Lou White, says that he believes his tables will show up at the 2008 WSOP, especially considering that Harrah's will be having a head's up tournament on this years tournament schedule. If any poker event is better suited to automated tables, it most certainly is the head's up game, which requires one dealer for every two players. With PokerTek's PokerPro series of games there is no need for dealers, and the pace of the game is drastically sped up.

Electronic multi-player table games are definitely growing on casino operators.  At the 2006 Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, electronic poker tables had massive representation from several companies, including Shuffle Master and DigiDeal. PokerTek, however, is leading the way - having already secured regulatory approval in the State of Michigan and working out deals with Carnival Cruises and Australia's Crown Casino.