Home / Poker News September 2010 / The poker grapevine – WPT TV deal and fresh blood for the Riviera
The poker grapevine – WPT TV deal and fresh blood for the Riviera
Posted by: Jo Martin - Sat, 2010-09-04 15:32
Lately, WPT events have been off somewhat off the radar in the poker world. With the
WSOP and the
EPT taking over all the
poker news headlines, there was little word about the mother and father of all poker tours, the WPT. Well, apparently the guys behind the WPT did not rest on their laurels despite looking a lot like they did just that. An inaugural WPT stop, the WPT London is currently under way and the company (WPT Enterprises Inc.) has just managed to secure a 3-year TV deal with FSN.
Seasons 9,10 and 11 will be aired, and thus the changes introduced in season 9 will be fully showcased, ushering in a new era of televised poker entertainment. The number of repeat episodes will be increased as well, treating players to more opportunities to catch some of the exciting stuff they may miss out on.
The Riviera Hotel and Casino has been one of Las Vegas true landmarks for quite a while, in recent years though, hit hard by the economic downturn and the ever more sophisticated competition, the establishment has declined significantly. The low-point of the ordeal was reached when the company behind the Riviera, Riviera Holdings Corp. filed for bankruptcy on Jul 12th. It seems like the light at the end of the tunnel has already popped up for the beleaguered operation, as a group of investors has apparently purchased some of the debt burdening the company. That would mean a fresh infusion of capital and most likely a complete refurbishment of the hotel/casino complex.
Aside from the cosmetic repairs, investments will cover new slot machines and new gambling software for the casino too.
