One of the world’s most successful poker tours has partnered with an India-facing online poker room with a view to cater to the rapidly expanding market within the country.

The World Poker Tour said Thursday that it reached a world brand licensing agreement with Gaussian Networks Pvt. Ltd.’s poker brand, Adda52.com.

Under the deal, the WPT has agreed to license services on an exclusive basis in India. Additionally, Adda52.com could have the rights to distribute select seasons of the WPT television library, create WPT merchandise and leverage the WPT brand to secure local sponsorship partners, consistent with a press release.

The poker site, the most important of its kind in India, will even qualify players from India to take part in select World Poker Tour events held across the globe.

Adda52.com reached 800,000 registered users and hosted India’s first-ever 10 Million INR-guaranteed tournament this year.

“The association with the sector Poker Tour comes at an excessively crucial time in India,” said Anuj Gupta, Founder & CEO of Adda52.com. “There is a poker boom and the Indian poker community is seeking a greater tournament experience. With this tie-up, we wish the poker community to be exposed to international standards of poker with better structures, well-defined tournaments, and the data the WPT brings to the table.”

Adam Pliska, President and CEO of the WPT, said India is “one of the fastest growing [poker] markets worldwide.”

It have been estimated elsewhere that India’s market is worth $214 million USD. Individual states within the country continue to pass laws favorable to the cardboard game.

The WPT was bought by Chinese firm Ourgame for $35 million in 2015.

“We are currently in negotiations to execute similar partnerships in more regions, and look ahead to expanding the WPT’s global footprint even further,” Angelica Hael, VP of world Tour Management for the WPT, said.

Read More... [Source: CardPlayer Poker News]