WORLD POKER TOUR(R) Announced as Keystone in UK'S ITV4, Debuting November 1

WORLD POKER TOUR(R) Announced as Keystone in UK'S ITV4, Debuting November 1

New British Network Targeting Men to Launch Featuring the WORLD POKER TOUR Television Series

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:WPTE) announced today that it has inked an agreement for its WORLD POKER TOUR(R) television series to be featured programming when the UK's much-anticipated ITV4 network kicks off on November 1. ITV4 is the latest addition to the powerful ITV family of networks broadcasting in the United Kingdom. The new network is an "entertainment channel providing quality programming to a discerning, up-market audience with a male bias."

"This is a great beginning for our new integrated world strategy," said Steve Lipscomb, CEO and founder of WPT Enterprises, Inc. "The WPT has found a strong partnership in the U.K. to build our brand and bring our programming to the millions of viewers that ITV reaches. The poker mania that the WORLD POKER TOUR inspired in the U.S. is taking hold in the U.K. with a vengeance and this partnership will continue to make us a driving force in the second largest poker market in the world."

The deal grants ITV4 exclusive rights in the U.K. to broadcast the first two seasons of the WORLD POKER TOUR -- widely acknowledged as the show that launched the international poker boom. With the biggest names in poker, millions of dollars in prize money on the line and "A-list" celebrity specials -- the seventy-two hours of programming will be a strong addition to the ITV4 male-targeted lineup.

The ITV4 launch will serve as a springboard for the WORLD POKER TOUR's international online poker venture, wptonline.com, in the United Kingdom. The WPT online primary room will be the sponsor of the show. The broadcasts will also bolster its emerging consumer products program in the region.

Launching on November 1, ITV4 characterizes itself as "elegant, stylish and just a little dangerous ... offering challenging drama; comedy that pushes boundaries; and movies that won't stick to the mainstream, as well as live and exclusive UEFA Champions League and World class boxing."

In addition to the WORLD POKER TOUR, ITV4 will broadcast the first U.K. airings of a number of series' including Kojak starring Ving Rhames; Crank Yankers (puppets playing havoc with the American public) and William Shatner's send up of Hollywood, the outrageous hoax, Invasion Iowa.

"We are extremely pleased to make the WORLD POKER TOUR part of ITV4's exciting launch line up," said ITV4 Channel Editor Steve Arnell. "We have seen what the show has done for broadcasters in the U.S. and abroad. It has developed a large and devoted fan base worldwide and we believe it will be an important addition to the ITV4 schedule."

The WPT launched the poker phenomenon when it first aired on the Travel Channel in the U.S. 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 and to follow the Tour. The highest rated show ever on The Travel Channel, the WPT is now seen in more than 120 countries and territories worldwide. WORLD POKER TOUR(R) airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the Travel Channel in the U.S. and will air every Friday night at 10:00 pm in prime-time on ITV-4 in the UK.

WPTE CEO Steve Lipscomb jointly made the announcement with WPTE Executive Director of International Sales, Gary MacKinney. Alfred Haber Distribution handles the sale of international rights for WPT programming. For more information, contact MacKinney at (323) 330 9886 in the U.S. or by cell phone at the show (U.S.) 1 (661) 373 4622.

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 120 countries and territories 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. Photos and media information can be found online at: www.worldpokertour.com/media.

(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.

Gary MacKinney/WPTE International Sales
Office: 323 330 9886
Cell phone: (U.S.) 1 661 373 4622
gmackinney@worldpokertour.com

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

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050809/LATU100LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: WPT Enterprises, Inc.

CONTACT: Jackie Lapin of WPT PR, +1-818-707-1473, jackielapin@cs.com,
or Gary MacKinney of WPTE International Sales, +1-323-330-9886, or cell,
+1-661-373-4622, gmackinney@worldpokertour.com

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: 300 dpi downloadable images available at www.media.worldpokertour.com

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