Fresh on the heels of the first live poker series to be held in Macau in nearly six years, the World Poker Tour will be making its first-ever visit to Macau with a week-long series in June. Macau officials have approved a WPT series to be held at Wynn Macau in partnership with Allied Gaming & Entertainment (AEAG).
The inaugural WPT Macau stop will run from June 18-24 at Wynn Macau, one of just three venues in Macau currently offering live cash-game poker. The seven-day series will feature a championship event running from June 20-24, featuring a HK $40,000 buy-in (about US $5,100).
The WPT Macau festival will also include a High Roller event with a buy-in of HK $200,000, or about US $25,600. The high roller tourney will take place June 19 and 20. The June 20-24 championship has already been added to the WPT's listings of upcoming tour events.
Festival fulfills wishes of WPT's Pliska for a Macau stop
World Poker Tour CEO Adam Pliska has spoken of his desire for the WPT to arrive in Macau as the special administrative unit of mainland China, a famed Southeast Asia gambling destination, begins to re-embrace live poker. The WPT Macau stop emerges from the World Poker Tour's and Pliska's efforts with two existing business partners in Wynn Gaming and AEAG, along with officials in Macau, a special administrative region of China.
News of the WPT Macau stop's approval came via an AEAG presser, the first official corporate statement on the June festival. “We are thrilled to be joining forces with two esteemed global partners, bringing the World Poker Tour to Macau,“ said Yinghua Chen, Chief Executive Officer of AGAE. “This marks WPT’s inaugural physical presence in Macau after over two decades of operation. As we expand our Allied Experiential Entertainment business, this collaboration represents another exciting advancement, leveraging our extensive resources and expertise in hosting world-class events to create unforgettable experiences in this dynamic market.”
Pliska's words on the partnership were more succinct. “Macau has long been a sought-after destination for us, wanting to deliver the WPT experience to the region,” said the WPT CEO. “Thank you to AGAE and Wynn Macau for making this dream come true. We look forward to an incredible event.”
Linda Chen, the President, Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, offered comment as well, stating “We are thrilled to partner with AGAE to host one of the most prestigious global poker competitions in Macau, marking its debut in this vibrant city.“
Featured image source: Wynn Macau
