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Los Angeles, CA (June 21, 2015) – WPT Enterprises, Inc. today announced that it has been acquired by Ourgame International Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong-listed corporation (HKG: 6899). Ourgame will pay $35 million in cash for World Poker Tour®, the premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online, and mobile. The acquisition is being made on a debt-free, cash-free basis.
“Having already established an exciting partnership with Ourgame, a high growth company led by an enthusiastic group that is fully invested in the global growth of the sport of poker, we are delighted to now become a fully-integrated member of the Ourgame family” said WPT President & CEO Adam Pliska. “I want to thank bwin.party CEO Norbert Teufelberger and bwin.party CFO Martin Weigold for all of their support over the last six years, and for helping facilitate this agreement. ”
Ourgame CEO Frank Ng adds, “World Poker Tour is unquestionably the global leader in organizing world-class poker events, and we are very proud to acquire one of the world’s greatest brands. WPT, with Ourgame as its new owner, will continue to expand its already impressive global presence, bringing poker and gaming entertainment to cities and homes around the world via television broadcasts, mobile devices, card tables, and more.”
Since 2009, when World Poker Tour was purchased by bwin.party digital entertainment plc for $12.3 million, WPT has grown from 16 WPT Main Tour events to more than 70 WPT Main Tour, WPT Alpha8™, WPT National, and WPTDeepStacks events. In addition, the WPT footprint has expanded into Europe and Asia, and WPT now boasts stategic partnerships with many other powerful brands, including Monster Headphones, Hublot, DraftKings, Skrill, FIAT, and Royal Caribbean International.
In December 2014, World Poker Tour announced an alliance with Ourgame, agreeing to license products and services on an exclusive basis in more than a dozen countries across Asia.
Founded in 1998 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Ourgame is one of Asia’s leading social gaming companies, offering a variety of card and board games on internet and mobile platforms. Headquartered in Beijing and with a current market capitalization of HK$ 5.481 billion (USD $707 million), Ourgame has played a significant role in expanding the social gaming market in Asia and now boasts more than 500 million users. For three years, Ourgame has helped facilitate WPT National China at MGM Grand Sanya Resort, bringing together hundreds of social gamers with some of the biggest professional poker players in the world.
WPT Media Contact
David Gitter – [email protected]
About Ourgame
Ourgame International Holdings Limited is a leading online card and board game developer, platform and offline operator in China. Since its inception in 1998, the Company has capitalized on its early-mover advantage to build a highly recognizable online card and board game brand in China and accumulated a massive user base. The main strengths of Company are leading online card and board game platform in China; growing combined online and offline tournaments which creates business synergy with online platform; comprehensive portfolio of long-lifespan games supported by an integrated platform and strong brand. For more information, please go to ourgame.com.
About World Poker Tour
World Poker Tour (WPT) is the premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online, and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. WPT has broadcast globally in more than 150 countries and territories, and is currently producing its 14th season, which airs on FSN in the United States. Season XIV of WPT is sponsored by ClubWPT.com, a unique online membership site that offers inside access to the WPT, as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club available in 35 states across the United States. ClubWPT.com also sponsors Season 2 of the new WPT Alpha8 series of super-high roller poker tournaments which is currently in production and which airs on FOX Sports 1 in the United States. WPT participates in strategic brand license, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities. Prior to its aquisition by Ourgame, WPT Enterprises Inc. was previously a subsidiary of bwin.party digital entertainment plc. For more information, go to WPT.com.
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