TECHNOLOGY · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Chess.com Expands Beyond Chess with Free Poker Site Gambit
WHY IT MATTERS
By entering the poker market, Chess.com taps a new gaming audience and creates additional revenue streams, while its planned expansion into other classic games could boost user engagement and diversify its product lineup.
What happened
Chess. com, the leading online chess platform, has launched its first companion site, Gambit, a free poker website that lets players practice without risking real money.
The beta site debuted in May and is now gearing up for its first livestreamed poker event, featuring collaborations with popular content creators. Chess.
com’s chief growth officer, Albert Cheng, said the company chose poker because it shares strategic depth with chess. The company plans to add more classic games to its portfolio after Gambit’s launch, signaling a broader expansion strategy beyond its core chess offering.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Chess.com launched a poker site and is planning even more classic games
The Verge · Stevie Bonifield · Discovery only; Vox Media copyright terms apply