WPT Closes Its Online Room

World Poker Tour has just announced that its online poker room, WPT Online, has been shut down. WPT Enterprises, the parent company of WPT, claims that the number of existing players was not enough for long term profit.

WPT Enterprises, the parent company behind World Poker Tour and WPT Online, announced that due to less-than-expected results, they will be shutting down the online poker room.

The decision to create an online poker room came in 2006, when brands like PokerStars, PartyPoker or Full Tilt Poker were already active and getting a significant share of the market. One of the biggest problem that WPT faced was the fact that these names were sponsoring its TV series and that was immediately changed once they became rivals essentially.

Another important issue revolved around the already-famous Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, or UIGEA, which shut the doors for American players - the major client base WPT had.

However, this move will give WPT Enterprises the chance to focus on its existing projects and get their profit from the World Poker Tour. It was reported here that WPTE and Full Tilt Poker signed a TV sponsorship deal.

According to the contract, World Poker Tour Enterprises will receive
$3.25 million from Full Tilt Poker for sponsoring the 26 season VII
episodes. In return, Full Tilt Poker will be the title sponsor and will
get exclusive rights to in-show brand integration for all the episodes,
which will be airing on Fox Sports Net starting on December 7.