World Poker Tour(R) and Travel Channel Agree to Sponsorship Policy Change Allowing Players to Wear Approved Logos

World Poker Tour(R) and Travel Channel Agree to Sponsorship Policy Change Allowing Players to Wear Approved Logos

New Logo Policy Goes Into Effect at WPT's Borgata Poker Open on September 19 in Atlantic City, New Jersey

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WORLD POKER TOUR(R) and the Travel Channel have reached an agreement to allow poker players to wear their sponsor logos in both preliminary rounds and final tables of the televised WPT series. The size, placement and content of the logos must comply with specific guidelines available online at www.worldpokertour.com/rules.

"This policy is a testament to the strength of WPT partnership with the Travel Channel," said Steven Lipscomb, CEO and founder of WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:WPTE). "We launched the current poker boom together and are constantly trying to find new ways to foster and grow the market we helped create."

Lipscomb added that Pat Younge, executive vice president and general manager of the Travel Channel comes from BBC sports and Channel 4 in the UK, and "understands the significance of what we have done here -- transforming poker into a televised sport. We have agreed that a player logo policy would solidify our relationship with players and help foster a climate in which mainstream sponsorship of poker players will become a reality."

"Kudos to the WPT and Travel Channel for adopting this final table logo policy," said Brian Balsbaugh, President & CEO of Poker Royalty, a poker- specific marketing and representation agency whose clients include Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Gus Hansen and Jennifer Harman. "This policy change will open the door for corporate sponsorship of the players on the WPT. I also applaud the WPT for establishing clear guidelines regarding logo wear. Sponsors want certainty and these guidelines provide just that."

Interested Sponsors must be cleared in advance by Travel Channel and WORLD POKER TOUR. For more information on becoming an approved sponsor, please email: sponsor@worldpokertour.com.

The WPT launched the poker phenomenon when it first aired on the Travel Channel on March 30, 2003, and it continues to lead the way in developing poker as a major international sport. Viewers and aspiring tour players can log on to www.worldpokertour.com for ways to improve their game or to find out how to register for the 16 WPT tournaments. The highest rated show ever on The Travel Channel, the WPT is now licensed for broadcast in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide. WORLD POKER TOUR(R) airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the Travel Channel.

About WPT Enterprises, Inc.

WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:WPTE) is a company engaged in the creation of internationally branded entertainment and consumer products driven by the development, production, and marketing of televised programming based on gaming themes. WPTE is the creator of the World Poker Tour(R), a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments that airs on the Travel Channel in the United States and more than 100 markets globally. WPT Enterprises currently licenses its brand to companies in the business of poker equipment and instruction, apparel, publishing, electronic and wireless entertainment, DVD/home entertainment, casino games, and giftware. For show information, tools for improving poker play, and other WPT news, fans may log on to www.worldpokertour.com. The company is also engaged in the sale of corporate sponsorships. WPT Enterprises, Inc. is a majority owned subsidiary of Lakes Entertainment, Inc., a publicly held company. Photos and media information can be found online at: www.worldpokertour.com.

(WPTEG)

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by WPT Enterprises, Inc.) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to the expansion of WPTE's brand licensing, the development of new television and film projects, the development of WPTE corporate sponsors and other business development activities, as well as statements regarding other capital spending, financing sources and the effects of competition. Such forward- looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of WPTE. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, WPTE's significant dependence on the Travel Channel as a source of revenue; the potential that our television programming will fail to maintain a sufficient audience; the risk that competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence might develop television programming that would directly compete with WPTE's television programming; the risk that WPTE may not be able to protect its entertainment concepts, current and future brands and other intellectual property rights; risks associated with future expansion into new or complementary businesses; the termination or impairment of WPTE's relationships with key licensing and strategic partners; and WPTE's dependence on its senior management team. For more information, review WPTE's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:
Aimee Lirette/ WPT: 323-330-9872
alirette@worldpokertour.com

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050809/LATU100LOGO )

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050809/LATU100LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: WORLD POKER TOUR

CONTACT: Aimee Lirette, +1-323-330-9872, alirette@worldpokertour.com, or
Jackie Lapin, +1-818-707-1473, jackielapin@cs.com, both of WPT

Web site: http://www.worldpokertour.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Steve Lipscomb is available for interviews upon request. 300 dpi downloadable images available at www.media.worldpokertour.com

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