World Poker Tour Gears up for US Regulation
Published December 29, 2009 by OCR Editor
PartyGaming at the helm of World Poker Tour.
PartyGaming's $12.3 million purchase of the World Poker Tour was completed in November and has been welcomed by many. The European poker operator, who has recently been rumored to eye a merger with bwin, emerged victorious after a tense bidding war for the prestigious event.
WPT - Changes Afoot
PartyGaming
have big plans for the WPT. Adam Pliska, the new President of WPT said, "I
think you can look for more tour stops in international locations (in the years
ahead), areas like France and Italy.There will be more international land-based
events, both televised and non-televised."
Getting Ready for US
Regulation
The company, who finally
closed the door on their litigation with the US attorney's office and signed a
non-prosecution agreement, ceased trading in the US following the introduction
of the 2006 UIGEA. However, the recent purchase of the WPT lays the groundwork
for a re-entry onto the American poker scene.
New websites on the way
Jim Ryan, PartyGaming Chief Executive Officer
said, "We are excited about the opportunities that WPT, a proven marketing
channel for the Group, will create for PartyGaming, particularly if the US
regulates and licenses online gaming." He hinted at a few changes to come over
the next year or two, "Our plans also include using the ClubWPT subscription
platform to leverage our 12 million-strong US player database via a
Party-branded website and the launch of a European WPT-branded poker and casino
site.
PartyGaming are obviously thinking big and looking to the future. Their vision and investment during a bleak economic downturn is in line with the general confidence of many big casinos and poker rooms. The operators who are going to best ride out this recession seem to be those who are planning ahead for more prosperous times.
