WPT comming to Canada
World Poker Tour Goes Global
Related Links
World Poker Tour, LLC Information
LOS ANGELES – (PRESS RELEASE) -- WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) has announced the global expansion of its hugely popular World Poker Tour(R) (WPT) with the signing of two licensing agreements to stage regional versions in Canada and the Philippines.
Steve Lipscomb, CEO and founder of WPT Enterprises, Inc. revealed that the company has concluded agreements with ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., the largest integrated media and entertainment company in the Philippines, and Aidan Tracey, a respected Canadian marketing/ sponsorship/promotion expert, to offer multi-tournament WPT Tours in card rooms and casinos in their respective countries beginning in early 2006. The events will feature WPT-style Texas Hold'em tournaments expected to draw hundreds of players for increasingly growing prize pools at each stop. The WPT has been airing on television networks in Canada and The Philippines for the past two years, drawing a large following and hugely impacting the popularity of poker in those countries.
"We are very pleased to be able to bring the WPT to the fans in other countries who have been itching to try their hand at making a WPT Final Table," said Lipscomb. "Through these regional WPT Tours with ABS-CBN and Aidan Tracey, we have begun to create a global network of WPT Tours that will inspire the players in those countries and grow our brand internationally. It will be fun to see local players evolve into regional poker stars, just as our primary WPT Tour players over the past few years have garnered international recognition, and are now recognizable everywhere they go."
Lipscomb anticipates additional regional WPT Tours to be licensed in the future, as the skyrocketing popularity of the show continues to create worldwide fans. The WORLD POKER TOUR show, which has achieved worldwide viewership, is currently licensed for broadcast in 116 countries and territories around the world.
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., is involved in television and radio broadcasting, as well as the production of television programming for Filipino domestic and international audiences. The company's largest business, its VHF television network, consists of its flagship channel in Manila -- Channel 2 -- together with 23 other owned and operated television stations and ten affiliated stations, forming the leading television network in the Philippines. The company also operates Studio 23, the leading UHF television network in the Philippines with 35 televisions stations. The two networks reach an estimated 97% and 50% of all television-owning households in the Philippines, respectively. The estimated market population for the region is 76 million people.
"We wish to introduce poker among the Filipinos served by ABS-CBN, locally and globally, and to the skills, art & excitement that it generates both as a program and as a game," said Peter A. Musngi, Vice President for ABS-CBN Sports. "As a television show, we are hopeful that we can duplicate the success of WPT USA in the Philippines and the region given the reach and equity of ABS-CBN. We are confident that this is not a far-fetched reality."
ABS-CBN is being granted the right to create four episodes in the first year, five in the second and six in the third -- and to air them exclusively for four years total. The show will air in both English and Tagalish (a mix of Tagolog and English). The winner of the Filipino WPT Tour will also have a seat in the WPT Championship(TM) at Bellagio each April.
In Canada, Aidan Tracey, who has previously assisted the WPT to secure sponsorship tie-ins north of the border, will develop, stage and market a regional tour. Tracey is currently President of Mosaic Sales Solutions Field Marketing, the leading experiential event marketing company in Canada. Mosaic Field Marketing handles consumer promotion events at malls, community events and large festivals for many blue-chip Fortune 100 clients. The company does product sampling, creates brand experiences, and runs large mobile 18 wheel rigs that go to major events to bring brands to life. Tracey has also produced the World Beer Games, which aired on TV in 2002 and 2003 in many markets outside the USA, including Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
"Aidan's deep knowledge in helping to build global brands, along with his own experience as a founder and executive producer of a successful international TV event special made him a natural choice," noted Lipscomb.
Tracey will work closely with WPTE to build out events across the country to establish and grow the WPT Canada sub-brand and at the same time educate players through the WPT educational website http://www.wptonline.net.
"It is going to be a ton of fun helping the WPT to build the leading poker brand in Canada," said Tracey. "By utilizing a network of host casinos, TV partners, Mosaic field marketing, and client sponsorships we should be able to get the WPT Canadian Tour off to a great start in 2006."
The World Poker Tour, which reinvented poker as a televised spectator sport, airs tournaments filmed at leading casinos from Paris to Las Vegas, and will begin the broadcast of its fourth season in March 2006. Airing every Wednesday night in the U.S. at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The Travel Channel, the WPT is the highest-rated series in the network's history. World Poker Tour is now seen in 116 countries and territories worldwide.
Related Links
World Poker Tour, LLC Information
LOS ANGELES – (PRESS RELEASE) -- WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) has announced the global expansion of its hugely popular World Poker Tour(R) (WPT) with the signing of two licensing agreements to stage regional versions in Canada and the Philippines.
Steve Lipscomb, CEO and founder of WPT Enterprises, Inc. revealed that the company has concluded agreements with ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., the largest integrated media and entertainment company in the Philippines, and Aidan Tracey, a respected Canadian marketing/ sponsorship/promotion expert, to offer multi-tournament WPT Tours in card rooms and casinos in their respective countries beginning in early 2006. The events will feature WPT-style Texas Hold'em tournaments expected to draw hundreds of players for increasingly growing prize pools at each stop. The WPT has been airing on television networks in Canada and The Philippines for the past two years, drawing a large following and hugely impacting the popularity of poker in those countries.
"We are very pleased to be able to bring the WPT to the fans in other countries who have been itching to try their hand at making a WPT Final Table," said Lipscomb. "Through these regional WPT Tours with ABS-CBN and Aidan Tracey, we have begun to create a global network of WPT Tours that will inspire the players in those countries and grow our brand internationally. It will be fun to see local players evolve into regional poker stars, just as our primary WPT Tour players over the past few years have garnered international recognition, and are now recognizable everywhere they go."
Lipscomb anticipates additional regional WPT Tours to be licensed in the future, as the skyrocketing popularity of the show continues to create worldwide fans. The WORLD POKER TOUR show, which has achieved worldwide viewership, is currently licensed for broadcast in 116 countries and territories around the world.
ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., is involved in television and radio broadcasting, as well as the production of television programming for Filipino domestic and international audiences. The company's largest business, its VHF television network, consists of its flagship channel in Manila -- Channel 2 -- together with 23 other owned and operated television stations and ten affiliated stations, forming the leading television network in the Philippines. The company also operates Studio 23, the leading UHF television network in the Philippines with 35 televisions stations. The two networks reach an estimated 97% and 50% of all television-owning households in the Philippines, respectively. The estimated market population for the region is 76 million people.
"We wish to introduce poker among the Filipinos served by ABS-CBN, locally and globally, and to the skills, art & excitement that it generates both as a program and as a game," said Peter A. Musngi, Vice President for ABS-CBN Sports. "As a television show, we are hopeful that we can duplicate the success of WPT USA in the Philippines and the region given the reach and equity of ABS-CBN. We are confident that this is not a far-fetched reality."
ABS-CBN is being granted the right to create four episodes in the first year, five in the second and six in the third -- and to air them exclusively for four years total. The show will air in both English and Tagalish (a mix of Tagolog and English). The winner of the Filipino WPT Tour will also have a seat in the WPT Championship(TM) at Bellagio each April.
In Canada, Aidan Tracey, who has previously assisted the WPT to secure sponsorship tie-ins north of the border, will develop, stage and market a regional tour. Tracey is currently President of Mosaic Sales Solutions Field Marketing, the leading experiential event marketing company in Canada. Mosaic Field Marketing handles consumer promotion events at malls, community events and large festivals for many blue-chip Fortune 100 clients. The company does product sampling, creates brand experiences, and runs large mobile 18 wheel rigs that go to major events to bring brands to life. Tracey has also produced the World Beer Games, which aired on TV in 2002 and 2003 in many markets outside the USA, including Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
"Aidan's deep knowledge in helping to build global brands, along with his own experience as a founder and executive producer of a successful international TV event special made him a natural choice," noted Lipscomb.
Tracey will work closely with WPTE to build out events across the country to establish and grow the WPT Canada sub-brand and at the same time educate players through the WPT educational website http://www.wptonline.net.
"It is going to be a ton of fun helping the WPT to build the leading poker brand in Canada," said Tracey. "By utilizing a network of host casinos, TV partners, Mosaic field marketing, and client sponsorships we should be able to get the WPT Canadian Tour off to a great start in 2006."
The World Poker Tour, which reinvented poker as a televised spectator sport, airs tournaments filmed at leading casinos from Paris to Las Vegas, and will begin the broadcast of its fourth season in March 2006. Airing every Wednesday night in the U.S. at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The Travel Channel, the WPT is the highest-rated series in the network's history. World Poker Tour is now seen in 116 countries and territories worldwide.
Comments
Yes, there will be a WPT Canadian Tour in casinos around Canada and then broadcast on TV! I wonder what the buy-ins will be like?
HIP HIP HOORAY!
HIP HIP HOORAY!
I can't wait!
Pros?
There are no less than 5 million poker pros in the world today.
More than a quarter million live in Canada today.
Me thinks some will play a few events.
:c: :d:
I don't know any more. Does anyone that plays there know any more info?
Unofficially, if you check the WPT website, you will see 3 events scheduled for October 2006. One at Foxwoods, one at Borgata Casino & Spa, and one TBA. The TBA one is October 23rd. This date matches the date given for Fallsview's tournament. This event has been known as Doyle Brunson's North American Poker Championship in past years. However, it appears that it will be billed simply as the North American Poker Championship this year. More details to follow as I get them.
Would it be a 10k event - or one of the lower level WPT events? What do you think the typical satellite buy-ins would be for this and how much juice would be charged? I know for the WSOP main-event, they have 1 table sats for a dime, as well as super-sats for like $250 each.
Also - if this event is a go, I predict there will be a rush of underground satellites to feed into this event. I also predict that I will enter a few of them, and I am going to predict that i will win won.
Of course, if I fail miserably, I predict that I will come back into this thread and erase this message.
On a side note, for 10K US - would you rather play in the WSOP ME or in a WPT event?
I think for 10K it has to be the WSOP for me.
The real allure of this to me is that I don't play online poker - so being able to actually attend a satellite for a WPT event 45 minutes from Oakville would be awesome.
The main event will (most likely) be held in the Grand Hall.
Most likely, satellites should be starting soon, as soon as the poker room expands to 15 tables, and then eventually 18 tables in the next few months.
Freudian slip? Win won!!??!
I am going to try for this one, at the very least I will try and watch some of the final table live if I can (preferably from seat 1 with a monster chip lead).
I wonder how many of the big name pros will attend this event in backwards Canada.
Attitude like this should get you far...
Okay, bitter much? Bring up another thread for what purpose?
Good god man. Give it a rest. You got banned. Big deal.
I'm guessing we'll get at least the same number as Seneca did for their classic last month...and that was a $5K event
If this thing really happens and Niagara manages to host a 10K event I think it can easily (and obviouslyÂ
I say feed the bloodthirsty satelite junkies in Ontario what they crave...not to mention what they deserve
Let's at least hope that if it does happen we can get some of the big name Canadians up here and actually refer to them as the Canadian Pros they are (and not just another "He lives in Las Vegas and we're not going to tell you that this guy is actually from Canada because Vegas runs it ALL and we need to make sure everyone comes here to make it rich"Â B.S. I hear from the commentators everytime I watch these tourneys)
Keep us posted.
1. nobody can be video taped for public air in any casino in Ontario. This includes Fallsview
2. Even with a waiver it still can't be done.
The degree event there was a loophole as all the prize money was given by the sponsor. I would love for someone who knows more about this to let us know their opinion!
LEE?
Really? I never knew this. What is the purpose behind such a rule. I understand (but don't agree with) the liquor aspect and other laws pertaining to the casino and gamining industry but this one doesn't seem to have a good reasoning behind it. Please explain this one to me.