World Poker Tour launches new charity

On Thursday the World Poker Tour (WPT) announced the creation of the WPT Foundation, “an organization dedicated to utilizing WPT’s unmatched platform to influence positive change in the world.” Initially the WPT Foundation will focus on working with non-profit organizations in the areas of environment, human rights, hunger, and poverty.

In a press release the WPT announced their first group of partners, Conservation International, Enough Project, We Advance and World Central Kitchen, and stated that they would not only be offering “extensive cast, brand, media and corporate resources” but would also be adding a $100,000 donation of their own to the kitty.

The first WPT Foundation events will be a series of poker tournaments called, WPT Playing for a Better World. According to the press release:

“The kickoff event will take place at SLS Hotel Beverly Hills and the adjoining Bazaar by José Andrés restaurant on March 11, 2012. This exclusive inaugural affair will bring together A-list celebrities, Hollywood power brokers and some of the biggest names in poker as they help raise money and create awareness for WPT Foundation’s global charity partners. Providing the menu and food for the occasion will be world-renowned chef José Andrés, who recently won the coveted James Beard Outstanding Chef Award for 2011.”

So which A-list celebrities will be involved with the WPT Foundation? For the first-time to my knowledge the list is actually made-up of many A-list celebrities! Among the celebrities and Poker Pros listed in the press release were Maria Bello, Gerard Butler, Don Cheadle, Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, Eva Longoria, Joel Madden and Nicole Richie, Jeremy Piven, Andrea Savage, Rob Riggle, Sophie Winkleman, Frederick Windsor, Robin Wright, Mike Sexton, Daniel Negreanu, Dan Harrington, Antonio Esfandiari, Vanessa Selbst, Tony G., Jamie Gold, Maria Ho, Tony Dunst, and Andy Frankenberger.

The event itself is far more than a poker tournament, in addition to the menu created by chef José Andrés, there will also be a training sessions for the celebrities and other attendees, a raffle and an auction. Among the prizes that will be offered: Private poker lessons from the game’s legends, a private tasting party from, an in-home session of WPT Boot Camp, a cabin on a WPT cruise, a deluxe helicopter tour of Los Angeles for three provided by ROTOR F/X LLC, the chance to join Fox Sports film crew at an NFL game, and much, much more.

“World Poker Tour has always been dedicated to supporting charitable causes, but by establishing WPT Foundation we are making a deep, lasting commitment to philanthropy the likes of which the poker world has not seen before,” said Steve Heller, WPT CEO. “With poker as a platform for an ongoing program and the support of celebrities, our poker player family and fantastic global charities, we’re confident the world will be shown how WPT and the poker community can be an engine for important change in the world, and we’re pleased to fuel that engine with an initial $100,000 donation. The launch event of WPT Playing for a Better World at the beautiful SLS Hotel will be a night to remember and the first of many such WPT Foundation events to come.”

Tickets for the launch event of WPT Playing for a Better World are $500 each, with raffle tickets beginning at $100. To purchase tickets for the event, please visit WPTFoundation.org. To request media credentials to cover this event, please contact Andy Gelb or Stephanie Samson of Slate PR at (310) 461-0111 or [email protected] / [email protected].

Space is extremely limited. Pre-registration is recommended.