The World Poker Tour may be getting a second wind in the form of PartyGaming, PLC.  At one point in time WPT Enterprises was a forced to be recognized.  The company is partly responsible for the current popularity enjoyed by online casinos and online poker.  The World Poker Tour television show was the first to make online poker popular as spectator entertainment.  After that several amateur poker players hit online casinos in an effort to try their hand at the game.

At the height of popularity, WPT Enterprises was worth $26.50 per share; this was back in 2005.  But over the years the World Poker Tour, for all of its recognition has proven to be more of a fad with absolutely no staying power.  While the company spurred many successful business adventures based off of its original idea, the company itself proved to be a big money loser.

It does seem a little odd that an industry leader like PartyGaming PLC will acquire such an unsuccessful venture, but they managed to purchase WPT Enterprises at a very good price.  WPT was purchased by PartyGaming for a mere $12.3 million.  Apparently, PartyGaming outbid another offer on the table of $9.1 million from Gamynia Ltd.

The World Poker Tour may not be completely useless to PartyGaming, let’s hope not if the company decided to purchase it.  Successful or not the World Poker Tour still has international recognition as a brand.  The World Poker Tour also maintains a very valuable television library.  Future tournaments also still bring in revenue for the company.