Next-generation online poker site PKR.com has nominated Ante Up for Africa as its charitable partner for the next twelve months. The long term partnership will see PKR and its 3.5m strong player base support poker’s best known charity through a series of activities designed to raise both funds and awareness.

Ante Up for Africa is a non-profit organisation founded in 2006 by Don Cheadle, Annie Duke and Norman Epstein dedicated to helping Africans in need.  Ante Up For Africa has raised more than $3m for their partner organisations Refugees International, Enough Project and Darfur Peace and Development Organization. 

PKR players will be now able to benefit Ante Up for Africa by making cash donations using loyalty points, playing in regular charity tournaments and pledging a percentage of their online tournament winnings to the charity. In addition, PKR’s team of sponsored professional players will also wear Ante Up for Africa branding at major poker events while PKR will also sponsor celebrity participants in the Ante Up for Africa tournament at the 2010 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

Simon Prodger, Marketing Director at PKR said; “Everyone in poker has the utmost admiration and respect for the work that Ante Up For Africa does year in, year out. It has proved itself to be an important part of the wider poker community, and it made perfect sense for us to link in our social responsibility programme.”

Ante Up for Africa co-founder Don Cheadle said “We’re hopeful that our association with PKR and its loyal fan base will help to raise awareness and provide relief for people suffering in a devastating humanitarian crisis.”  Annie Duke said “Once again we are seeing the tremendous generosity of the poker community.  We are so appreciative of PKR’s support.”