PokerBaazi & WPT Team Up to Bring a New Era of Poker to India

In a huge development for poker in India, PokerBaazi, the country’s leading online poker platform, has announced a strategic partnership with the World Poker Tour (WPT).

This exclusive team-up opens the door for Indian players to compete in some of WPT’s biggest events globally, allowing players to qualify for high-stakes tournaments with life-changing prizes.

The Indian online poker room will host online satellite tournaments, giving the country’s poker players the chance to win exclusive travel packages to renowned global venues.

Imagine playing alongside poker legends like Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, and Phil Hellmuth at iconic venues such as the Wynn in Las Vegas or top-tier casinos across Europe and Asia!

Thanks to this new partnership, those dreams can now become a reality for players in India.

Raising the Stakes for Poker in India

This partnership isn’t just an exciting opportunity for individual players; it’s a major leap forward for poker in India as a whole.

Navkiran Singh, CEO and Founder of Baazi Games, described this collaboration as a “game-changer,” reiterating the company’s mission to offer an elite poker experience that goes beyond national boundaries.

“This partnership reinforces our commitment to providing the best opportunities and platforms for Indian players to excel on both national and global stages,”

Singh said, highlighting how the Indian company’s collaboration with the World Poker Tour will encourage new talent to aim for global poker success.

With over 340,000 active monthly users, the Indian company has established itself as a frontrunner in country’s poker market, thanks to massive guaranteed tournaments, all-day cash games, and creative promotions.

Even with the newly imposed 28% GST on initial deposits, which has affected many poker platforms in the country, the market-leading poker room has maintained its strong position and continues to thrive as it adapts to this evolving environment.

A Strategic Power Play by WPT

The partnership is not only a strategic win for the Indian market leader but also a key expansion strategy for the World Poker Tour, as it has been seeking ways to enter the burgeoning poker market in India.

Although WPT Global recently announced partnerships with major entities like Triton Poker, its lack of an Indian partner was a gap in its strategy. Now the company gains immediate access to one of the world’s fastest-growing poker audiences, expanding its influence in the Indian market.

Company CEO Adam Pliska expressed his excitement about this partnership:

“We are proud to partner with PokerBaazi and expand our presence in India, adding to the WPT Global player base. India is a fast-growing market for poker, and through this collaboration, we look forward to nurturing new talent and giving Indian players a pathway to poker stardom.”

This announcement comes at a time when the poker industry is witnessing significant shifts, with GGPoker’s recent acquisition of WSOP underscoring the impact of combining online poker with live global tours.

PokerBaazi’s Rise in India

The collaboration is another step in the poker provider’s impressive journey toward dominating the poker scene in India.

Last August, it secured a major deal with PokerGO, the world’s leading poker streaming platform, to broadcast premium poker content with Hindi commentary to Indian audiences. This strategic move fueled the company’s growth, particularly in Tier II and III cities where poker is rapidly gaining popularity.

To support this rapid growth, PokerBaazi recently secured an investment of over ₹981 Crores from Nazara Technologies, a publicly listed gaming and sports media giant in India. The investment, which includes ₹150 Crores in primary capital, gives the company financial muscle to host some of the country’s largest tournaments, such as the ₹25 Crores G.O.A.T. event. Although the G.O.A.T. fell slightly short of its prize guarantee, it generated incredible excitement, solidifying the poker room’s reputation for hosting top-tier poker events in India.

This significant funding will allow the company to continue innovating in the market, supporting initiatives like the Poker Masterclass and The Circuit. These programs aim at fostering a strong poker community, increasing brand loyalty, and growing its player base.

WPT Events Coming to PokerBaazi Soon

Indian players can look forward to participating in official WPT tournaments hosted on PokerBaazi, with tournament schedules and details expected to be announced soon. These events will provide players with direct access to WPT’s celebrated tournament circuit.

With online qualifiers, Indian players get a rare opportunity to qualify for big tournaments and pursue international poker stardom.