World Poker Tour

The World Poker Tour (WPT) is a prominent international poker tournament series and brand, founded in 2002 by Steven Lipscomb. It organizes a schedule of major poker events across the United States and internationally, which are filmed for television broadcast. The tour is known for its Main Tour events, featuring high-stakes No-Limit Texas Hold'em tournaments, and has been instrumental in popularizing poker as a spectator sport. The WPT brand encompasses television production, online gaming partnerships, and live event licensing. The tour has changed ownership over the years, including a period under Allied Esports Entertainment. Today, the World Poker Tour continues to operate live events and maintains a presence in the global poker community.

The World Poker Tour was founded in 2002 by Steven Lipscomb, a lawyer and television producer. The first WPT event was held in 2002 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and the tour quickly gained popularity through televised broadcasts on the Travel Channel. The WPT's innovative use of hole-card cameras and commentary helped transform poker into a spectator sport. In 2008, the World Poker Tour was acquired by PartyGaming (later bwin.party) for $12.3 million. In 2015, the WPT was sold to Ourgame International Holdings, a Chinese online gaming company. In 2018, the World Poker Tour was acquired by Allied Esports Entertainment, a subsidiary of Ourgame. In 2021, Allied Esports Entertainment sold the World Poker Tour to Element Partners, a private investment firm. The tour has continued to expand internationally, with events in Europe, Asia, and other regions.

• 2021

  Allied Esports Entertainment sells WPT to Element Partners.

• 2018

  WPT acquired by Allied Esports Entertainment.

• 2015

  WPT sold to Ourgame International Holdings.

• 2008

  WPT acquired by PartyGaming for $12.3 million.

• 2002

  World Poker Tour founded by Steven Lipscomb; first event held at Bellagio, Las Vegas.

Premier global poker tournament brand with televised high-stakes events.

• WPT Main Tour

  Series of major poker tournaments held at casinos worldwide.

• WPT World Championship

  The flagship championship event of the World Poker Tour.

1. 1World Poker Tour Official Websiteworldpokertour.com
2. 2World Poker Tour - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
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