(Click Here for the Latest Online Poker News Stories)
Copyright 2005 PR Newswire Europe Limited
September 14, 2005
HEADLINE:
America's Largest Poker Brand, Sets New Standards in
the UK
BODY:
WPT Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq:WPTE) today announced the UK launch
of its WORLD POKER TOUR(TM) (WPT) branded real-money gaming website.
WPTonline.com makes participation in the WPT phenomenon possible
the world over. The website serves to compliment its unprecedented
poker broadcast success, professional merchandise range, UK mobile
phone gaming and the renowned WPT Boot Camp.
So far the UK poker phenomenon has been dominated by purely online
play, but America's largest poker brand brings with it a series
of high-stakes poker tournaments aired on TV all over the world,
professional training, educational poker games, fun gadgets/toys
and professional quality home play equipment.
WPTonline.com, WPT is offering free entry to a Level 1 Satellite
Tournament, giving players the chance to earn their way into a
$5000 - $15000 World Poker Tour Tournament. Historically WPT tournaments
have been populated purely by professional players due to the
large buy in amounts and standard of play, now people can improve
their game online/ on their phone/ or on a hand held game and
compete online.
Broadcast in over 160 countries and territories, WPT has a huge
following and is the highest rated show on the Travel Channel
in the US. In the UK WPT is screened on the Challenge TV channel
and WPT is currently in talks with other TV channels to introduce
WPT to prime time screening, which will further heighten interest
in the game.
WPTonline.com offers players unique promotions based on the WPT
franchise, creating a seamless community between internet and
television. According to Steve Lipscomb, President and CEO of
WPT Enterprises, Inc, "WPT aims to be the 'People's Choice'
for poker. We want to give our WPTonline.com players every opportunity
to participate in the entire WPT experience, which is why our
online players will be afforded premiere opportunities to enter
WPT land-based tournaments as well as WPT Invitational events."
WPT Quick Fact File
- World Poker Tour is a series of high-stakes poker tournaments
televised in over 160 countries and territories
- WPT has a UK online site - www.wptonline.com
- WPT has its own mobile play game in the UK
- Aside from the Travel channel, WPT is negotiating with a major
UK broadcaster to bring WPT to UK screens very soon
- WPT has professional, educational and 'gadgety' merchandise
ranges
WPT Boot Camps are famous in the US. Professional players teach
you how to play like a pro in a two or three day retreat package.
WPT Boot Camp plans to move to the UK, January 2006.
Regulation: In order to provide a safe and secure experience
to its players, WPTonline.com offers a fully regulated online
gaming experience. WPTonline.com is hosted out of Alderney, in
the British Channel Islands, and is regulated by the Alderney
Gambling Control Commission. The system is rigorously tested and
monitored to ensure that the player, has a fair and secure experience.
WPTonline.com features a customised version of the WagerWorks
Poker Software. Designed with WPT's guidance, the software showcases
a completely new graphic package to match the WPT television experience
as well as advanced game features catering to the avid poker player.
About WPT Enterprises, Inc.
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 more than 100 countries and territories
globally. WPT Enterprises 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. For show information, tools for improving
poker play, and other WPT news, fans may log on to www.worldpokertour.com.
The company is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships.
WPT Enterprises, Inc. is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes
Entertainment, Inc. Media information can be found online at:
www.worldpokertour.com/media.
About WagerWorks
WagerWorks develops, markets and operates a complete Internet
gaming solution that enables established consumer-oriented companies
to leverage their operating expertise and brand equity online.
As a veteran of the traditional casino industry, WagerWorks adheres
to the highest standards imposed by the various regulatory and
control authorities. Founded in April of 2000 the company has
implemented a broad line of products with unparalleled integrity
and unmatched quality. With premier titles such as Monopoly (TM),
Wheel of Fortune(R) and a robust Multiplayer poker product, WagerWorks
is the industry leader in creating casino games. www.wagerworks.com.
WPTEG
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides
a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain
information included in this press release (as well as information
included in oral statements or other written statements made or
to be made by WPT Enterprises, Inc.) contains statements that
are forward-looking, such as statements relating to the expansion
of WPTE's brand licensing, the development of new television and
film projects, the development of WPTE corporate sponsors and
other business development activities, as well as statements regarding
other capital spending, financing sources and the effects of competition.
Such forward-looking information involves important risks and
uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results
in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those
expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf
of WPTE. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited
to, WPTE's significant dependence on the Travel Channel as a source
of revenue; the potential that our television programming will
fail to maintain a sufficient audience; the risk that competitors
with greater financial resources or marketplace presence might
develop television programming that would directly compete with
WPTE's television programming; the risk that WPTE may not be able
to protect its entertainment concepts, current and future brands
and other intellectual property rights; risks associated with
future expansion into new or complementary businesses; the termination
or impairment of WPTE's relationships with key licensing and strategic
partners; and WPTE's dependence on its senior management team.
For more information, review WPTE's filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Note to editors:
High resolution photography can be found at www.prshots.com/WPTonline
Downloaded from
the World Wide Web on September 14, 2005:
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=153565
|
(Click Here for the Latest Online Poker News Stories)
|