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Poker comes to China despite laws

2007-08-06 16:08:43

World Poker Tour Enterprises (WPTE) has signed an agreement with the China Leisure Sports Administrative Centre, it has emerged.

The five-year partnership is designed to "promote the sport of poker" by helping to create, expand and commercialise China's first ever national poker competition.

This is despite the fact that the only place in China where gambling is legal is the former Portuguese colonial enclave of Macao.

On mainland China gambling is banned because the government considers it to be on a par with drugs and prostitution.

Recently, WPTE was granted permission to broadcast the first two seasons of the WPT in China.

Earlier this month, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau released figures that showed annual casino revenues in Macao had climbed to 50 per cent in June.


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