Africa to host first World Poker Tour event

Los Angeles-based World Poker Tour Enterprises is the firm behind the WPT and its associated television programming and stated that its WPT Marrakech event would take place in October at the Casino De Marrakech.

The three-year deal will see the two create the annual televised event with players able to qualify beginning next month through several online satellite tournaments at ChiliPoker.com and other rooms on the iPoker Network.

“We’re very glad to be partnering with our friends at ChiliPoker.com, a poker room that is steadily growing in importance on the international scene, to offer WPT tournaments in Morocco,” said Steve Lipscomb, President and Chief Executive Officer for World Poker Tour Enterprises. “Our goal is to bring value to our partners and World Poker Tour Enterprises shareholders as we expand our global footprint.”

ChiliPoker.com stated that the five-star Casino De Marrakech, which is part of Es Saadi Gardens And Resorts, has been Morocco’s leading casino since 1952 and already hosts the Marrakech Poker Open. It described the venue as ‘an ideal location to attract the best players from Europe and the world over’ due to its proximity to Europe and its ‘abundance of accommodations’. ChiliPoker.com revealed that it would also be organizing additional events including a ladies tournament.

“ChiliPoker.com is delighted to be associated with a world-renowned brand like the WPT in the creation of this unique and attractive event,” said Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO for ChiliPoker.com. “With the creation of the WPT Marrakech, ChiliPoker.com also intends to emphasize Marrakech’s attributes as a highly desirable destination for European and African poker players.”