WORLD POKER TOUR(R) Debuts at MIPCOM With Program to Export Its Hugely Successful Poker Tour Concept Internationally

WORLD POKER TOUR(R) Debuts at MIPCOM With Program to Export Its Hugely Successful Poker Tour Concept Internationally

WPT Enterprises Will Entertain Global Media Partnerships, Networks and Producers Willing to Stage WPT Branded Tours in Regions Around the Globe

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Can the sensational success of the WORLD POKER TOUR(R) be duplicated around the world -- with local nuances, in languages as diverse as Chinese, Russian and Arabic?

WPT Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:WPTE) is betting that it can. With deals for Canada and the Philippines already inked, WPTE is setting up shop at MIPCOM (Booth Number: R37.13) to formally entertain offers for launching its branded format in markets around the world. In the U.S., that format involves 16 tournaments open to pros, amateurs and talented celebrity players, captured for broadcast with a compelling mix of expert commentary, explanatory graphics, 16 cameras, top flight production values and great storytelling. The WORLD POKER TOUR introduced table-top cameras to reveal hole cards on U.S. television, which in turn ignited the worldwide passion for poker.

"We have a proven format and a proven brand," said Steve Lipscomb, CEO and founder of WPT Enterprises, Inc. "Our shows are already a hit in 116 countries and territories where our syndicated shows from Seasons One through Three are airing. Networks airing them are seeing a substantial bump in viewership, just as our broadcaster, the Travel Channel, did in the U.S. Just think what kind of success a locally produced WORLD POKER TOUR will have -- both in regional participation and -- for a network or global media player -- in viewership, promotional opportunities, advertising revenue and more! It's like launching a local version of the NBA in the early years when more creative deals were possible."

WPT Enterprises, Inc. has maximized the value of the WPT brand globally with worldwide publicity; an internationally viewed WORLD POKER TOUR website, www.worldpokertour.com; its recently launched international gaming website, WPTOnline.com; and an extensive lineup of licensed consumer products, now selling in Europe, Asia and Australia. Strategic alliances to create regional tours of the WORLD POKER TOUR series will benefit from solid groundwork already established, and a blueprint for a success. Lipscomb will be attending the show in Cannes, along with Gary MacKinney, WPTE Executive Director of International Sales, to meet with prospective partners.

"We believe that localization will attract greater fan loyalty to the WPT and WPTE partners," noted MacKinney. "Regional format partners will be able to showcase their own hometown heroes, local celebrities, women poker stars, commentators, regional rivalries and cultural nuances. Broadcasters will have homegrown WPT-brand shows that provide enormous promotional, publicity and sponsorship opportunities."

While at MIPCOM, Lipscomb and MacKinney will also be working with Alfred Haber Distribution to continue the sale of international rights to the WPT's previous three seasons of shows.

For more information or to make appointments, 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 100 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.

Editors Note: 300 dpi downloadable images available at www.media.worldpokertour.com

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

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

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

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