The
World Poker Tour (WPT) and Travel Channel have agreed to allow players to wear sponsorship logos at all WPT events. A step that many players have been lobbying for, the WPT will implement its new policy at the Borgata Poker Open in Atlantic City, NJ on September 19
th, 2005.
Players will be permitted to wear "one breast pocket logo" of approved sponsors. The WPT and Travel Channel have set out additional rules regarding sponsorship. In order to prevent players from being "bought out" by certain companies before appearing at the final table, no more than two players can appear on a T.V. final table wearing the same sponsor's logo. Additionally, there is a short list of types of sponsorships that will be completely banned, including: anything promoting illegal activity, pornography, firearms, tobacco, personal hygiene, sexual aids, or hard liquor.
Internet gambling sites have also made the banned list. Many of these sites, individually and collectively, provide a substantial number of players to WPT via online satellites. However, the legality of these sites in the United States continues to be a hotly debated topic, especially in regards to sponsorship and advertising. During the
World Series of Poker, certain sites dropped the .com in favor of .net, or just eliminated their web affiliation all together in order to get around sponsorship bans on gaming sites.
Regardless of rules and regulations, the change could prove to be another huge step forward in expanding and legitimizing the game of poker. Interested Sponsors must be cleared in advance by Travel Channel and WPT. For more information on becoming an approved sponsor, the WPT has set up and email address:
[email protected].
