World Poker Tour(R) Signs New Five-Year Partnerships to Broaden Player Experience
Source: WPT Enterprises, Inc.
Sep 25, 2007 - 6:07:55 AM
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WPT to Introduce WPT Amateur Poker League and WPT Cruises
LOS
ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 24, 2007--
Taking poker by land and sea,
WPT Enterprises (Nasdaq: WPTE) today announced that it has finalized two
five-year deals with the Amateur Poker League and Classic Gaming Cruises. The
new partnerships will complement the growing WPT brand portfolio while creating
new World Poker Tour(R) (WPT) experiences for fans and players of all
levels.
Providing the opportunity for amateur players to qualify for
a seat in a professional level tournament, the Amateur Poker League
(APL) and
the WPT are joining forces to create the World Poker Tour Amateur Poker League
(WPTAPL). On a weekly basis, over 500 APL tournaments are held seeing over
30,000 gamers gather in approximately 180 venues. Under the new partnership, all
players participating in APL events will earn WPTAPL points, which will post to
a leaderboard on www.wptapl.com. Points will qualify players for regional
tournaments, and the regional winners will go on to compete in a WPTAPL
Championship event held in Orlando, Fla., in April 2008, for the chance to win a
$10,000 seat into a WPT Main event. Additionally, each month WPT will give away
to WPTAPL members one seat into the WPT Celebrity Invitational tournament, an
invite-only tournament where top poker pros and Hollywood celebrities compete
for hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and a $25,000 seat into the WPT
World Championship.
The five-year agreement covers tournaments in the
United States, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, bringing free, live, No Limit
Texas Hold 'Em to the masses. For more information on participating in a WPTAPL
event as a player, venue, or sponsor, visit www.wptapl.com.
WPT also
signed a five-year partnership deal with Classic Gaming Cruises (CGC) to create
WPT Cruises, which will officially launch its inaugural cruise in February from
Miami to the Caribbean on CGC's cruiseline partner Norwegian Cruise Line. WPT
Cruises will offer players the chance to sail aboard the premium cruise ships
while enjoying exclusive parties, events, a full spread of cash games, and a WPT
tournament earning the victor a seat into a WPT tournament. WPT Cruise guests
will also receive the unique "eat when and where you want" dining experience of
Free Style Cruising provided by Norwegian.
Classic Gaming Cruises has
been hosting poker cruises for over 10 years and has an impeccable reputation
for providing first class customer service and professional poker operations.
WPT Cruises will feature cruises throughout the year from New York to the
Caribbean, Seattle to Alaska, Southampton England to the Mediterranean, New
England to Canada and Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera. For additional
information on Classic Gaming Cruises WPT Cruises, visit
www.classicgamingcruises.com.
"These innovative partnerships are an
exciting addition to our business as they help create a broader experience for
WPT fans and players of all levels and locations," said Steve Lipscomb, WPTE
Founder, President and CEO. "Poker is not just about the tournaments anymore.
It's a phenomenon that has captured and held the attention of millions of people
around the globe, and we want to continue creating these exciting opportunities
for everyone to experience and enjoy the sport of poker."
About
WPTE
WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: WPTE) is a company engaged in the
creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven
by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on
gaming themes. WPTE is the creator of the World Poker Tour(R), a television show
based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that airs on the Travel
Channel in the United States and is scheduled to begin broadcasting on GSN in
early 2008. WPT is licensed for broadcast globally. WPTE also operates a
real-money online gaming website, www.worldpokertour.com, which prohibits wagers
from players in the U.S. and other restricted jurisdictions. WPTE currently
licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and
instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment,
DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. The company is also engaged
in the sale of corporate sponsorships. For show information, tools for improving
poker play, and other WPT news, fans may log on to www.worldpokertour.com. WPT
Enterprises, Inc. is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc.
(Nasdaq: LACO). Photos and media information can be found online at:
www.worldpokertour.com/media
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