GGPoker Adds to International Roster by Signing Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier

April 17th, 2020 | by Kaycee James

GGPoker has added to its roster of pros and moved its international expansion efforts another step forward by signing Bertrand Grospellier.

Bertrand Grospellier, aka ElkY, has become the third former PokerStars pro to join Team GGPoker. (Image: GGPoker)

The man known online as ElkY is one of poker’s best-known online-to-live crossovers. Starting out his career as a competitive gamer, Grospellier switched to poker in the early noughties and quickly achieved success.

As well as a penchant for playing upwards of 10 tables at once, the Frenchman has won more than $14.5 million live and online. He’ll now bring that reputation and kudos to GGPoker.

New Opportunities for ElkY and GGPoker

I am happy to announce that @GGPokerOfficial GGPoker has recruited me to join my former colleague @RealKidPoker as an ambassador.
Thanks everyone for the last 2 years. Excited to start this new challenge with the fastest growing poker site.
Stay tuned!https://t.co/6tMNjzlTLS
— ElkY (@elkypoker) April 16, 2020

For ElkY, the decision to join GGPoker came down to its software. With a vision to make poker “fun again,” the former gamer was eager to work with the company.

The partnership is also something of a return to Grospellier’s roots. During his eSports career, he called South Korea home. With GGPoker calling Asia home, there’s a historical synergy with ElkY’s reputation within the region.

However, what the deal will also do is enable GGPoker to diversify its fanbase. In an April 16 press release, Jean-Christophe Antoine, Head of GGPoker, said the partnership opens up links with the eSports community.

What’s more, Grospellier is a household name to poker fans around the world. His list of accolades includes EPT, WPT and WSOP titles, as well as WCOOP bracelets online.

Add to this the fact he was a long-time ambassador for PokerStars and there are marketing opportunities aplenty.

GGPoker Reaching for Stars

Welcome aboard @elkypoker the newest brand ambassador for @GGPokerOfficial!
Super excited to have Elky on board, what a great addition!
Very excited to work with you in helping the site continue to grow. pic.twitter.com/AyhOZ7JDwG
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) April 16, 2020

The signing of Grospellier is made more significant by the fact it’s the third former PokerStars pro to join GGPoker. With the industry leader offloading the majority of its ambassadors over the last 18 months, GGPoker has joined Partypoker in scooping up the most talented free agents.

Daniel Negreanu and Felipe Ramos were quickly targeted by GGPoker. As well as world-class credentials, the two pros have strong fanbases in North and South America.

Grospellier will now add some European style to the team. Moreover, his presence will give GGPoker another chance to steal another march on PokerStars and its other closest rivals.