The World Poker Federation (WPF) has just achieved a historic victory for the future of poker. The International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) has officially recognized poker as a mind sport, placing it alongside giants like chess and bridge. This recognition not only legitimizes poker as a strategic and intellectual activity but also opens up a universe of new opportunities for players, sponsors, and enthusiasts worldwide.
The WPF and its associated federations, active in over 40 countries, have been tirelessly working to popularize poker, advance its regulation, and dispel misconceptions about the game. This definitive entry into the IMSA crowns years of dedication from the organization, solidifying poker as a true mind sport.
The Consolidation of Poker
On November 16, the International Mind Sports Association, the global governing body for mind sports, officially approved poker as one of its disciplines, alongside major games like chess, e-sports, and checkers.
This approval further empowers poker’s global expansion by formally recognizing it as a mind sport to governments, organizations, and sports entities. It also facilitates poker’s inclusion in sports events and expands growth and regulatory opportunities for the sport.
“Approval legitimizes poker and lays out a clear path for its worldwide expansion. It strengthens connections with governments, enabling the WPF and its local federations to present poker as a mind sport. With legal advancements, new countries are opening up to poker, while established markets gain freedom to grow, encouraging the sport’s development on all fronts,” says Igor “Federal” Trafane, president of the WPF.
Furthermore, a promising horizon for official poker careers is emerging. Recognized as athletes, players will have access to legal protections, strong contracts, and rights similar to those in other sports. This more secure professional environment encourages new talents and creates lasting career paths, establishing poker as a legitimate source of successful and meaningful careers.
Team Tournament at BSOP. Photo: Disclosure.
Ueltom Lima, president of CBTH, agrees: “The formalization of player status is one of the foundations for the sport’s development. By treating competitors as they should be, the WPF creates a more professional and organized environment, which not only supports poker’s growth as entertainment but also as a viable career path. For sponsors, association with a sport where players (and the game itself) are respected and legally protected conveys an image of solidity and professionalism.”
Professionals such as dealers, tournament directors, and massage therapists also gain increased job security, access to better working conditions, and the opportunity to participate in high-level international events. Moreover, the sport’s growing visibility and the standardization of competitions make their skills increasingly specialized and valued, creating new opportunities for training and advancement.
Ueltom Lima. Photo: Disclosure.
“ [...] the growing visibility of the sport and the standardization of competitions make its skills increasingly specialized and valued, creating new opportunities for training and improvement.
WPF’s official recognition and educational efforts also help reduce prejudice, transforming public perception of poker and its players. With the image of players strengthened as mental athletes, respect and family support increase. Companies and sponsors, previously hesitant, now see poker as a valuable visibility opportunity, expanding partnerships and investments in the sport.
The media accompanies this transformation with broader, unrestricted coverage. The legitimacy of poker as a mind sport and its market expansion encourage media outlets to dedicate more space to competitions and news, catering to a growing audience eager for information. This increased exposure strengthens the growth cycle, enhancing athletes' ability to attract investors and sponsors.
“In a landscape where sports marketing is a primary investment focus for major companies, poker now has the chance to compete on equal footing with other sports that already enjoy this type of visibility,” says Roberto Lifschitz, WPF’s marketing director. Finally, tournament organizers and investors reap the benefits of this recognition. Official legitimacy creates a safer environment for hosting and funding events, with the confidence of operating in a regulated and respected market. Emerging markets offer opportunities for larger tournaments, and the status of a mind sport makes competitions more attractive to sponsors seeking visibility and lasting partnerships.
“ [...] the mind sport status makes competitions more attractive to sponsors seeking visibility and lasting partnerships.
Roberto Lifschitz and Leonardo Cavarge. Photo: Disclosure.
The Power of Unity: WPF as a Symbol of Global Cohesion
More than a victory for the sport, this recognition is a triumph for the global poker community. The WPF has been fundamental in breaking down old prejudices, promoting poker as a game of skill and strategy. By connecting players, federations, and global leaders, the WPF unites forces with a common purpose: to drive and protect poker, building a solid, globalized sports structure.
Each WPF federation plays an essential role in this progress, strengthening the global poker community. Together, they ensure the sport’s expansion and consolidation in various countries, always respecting local particularities. Inclusion in the IMSA amplifies the power of this group, further highlighting its role in the regulation and development of poker at an international level.
“We founded the WPF precisely to create a global movement that would unify poker. The organization’s focus is now on building a true global sports structure, channeling efforts to create the foundation that every major sport already has: standardized regulations, career opportunities, player protection, and international competitions,” reveals Leonardo Carvarge.
The Path to Approval: Organization and Collective Commitment
The journey toward recognition was not easy. The WPF had to consistently demonstrate that poker embodies all the characteristics of an intellectual sport. The entity also went through a rigorous verification process that evaluated its legal foundation, global representation, membership numbers, and linguistic diversity. This collective effort culminated in the long-awaited recognition, marking the first time in history that poker is officially accepted by IMSA as a mind sport.
The CBTH’s years of experience in the fight for poker’s legitimacy were vital to this process. The Brazilian Confederation of Texas Hold'em, one of the founding members of the WPF, was created in 2009 with the goal of organizing and advocating for the growth of poker in Brazil, and its first president was Igor “Federal” Trafane, the current president of the WPF.
Brazil’s Contribution
Within less than a year of its founding, CBTH secured favorable opinions from renowned jurists, such as Miguel Reale Júnior, and a series of positive rulings in courts, including the São Paulo Court of Justice, reinforced poker’s legitimacy. This movement culminated in the official recognition of poker as a game of skill in Brazil, paving the way for a new era for the sport in the country.
From left to right: Alberoni Castro, Igor Federal, Ueltom Lima, and Leonardo Cavarge. Photo: Publicity.
Devanir Campos and Alberoni Castro. Photo: Publicity.
“We became part of the mechanism for popularizing and legitimizing poker.”
The recognition of poker as a game of skill was a significant milestone, distinguishing it from games of chance, which have been prohibited in Brazil since 1946. Part of this recognition is also due to Devanir Campos, known as “DC,” the first Latin American to join the ranks of the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) and the president of the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP), the main poker series in South America. DC was a key player in the growth of the BSOP, which has been a reference in organization and transparency in the global market for over 15 years: “Poker tournaments have given poker the status of other major sports. In Brazil, due to outdated laws, we knew we could not afford to make mistakes. But because of that, we reached a level of excellence and high standards that became a reference in Latin America and worldwide. We became part of the engine that popularized and legitimized poker.”
Today, it is estimated that more than 10 million Brazilians have played poker at least once, and there are 23 state federations affiliated with CBTH. “Sports poker is a very new activity. The federations in each country are new. The emergence and work of the WPF bring Brazil to the forefront as a world leader and a transformative tool for global poker,” comments Alberoni Castro, secretary-general of the CBTH.
The Essential Role of the World Poker Federation in the Future of Poker
The World Poker Federation is the driving force behind this revolution in poker. Since its founding, the WPF has been dedicated to promoting the growth and protection of poker as a mind sport, ensuring that its strategic and intellectual qualities are globally recognized. With a network of federations in over 40 countries, the WPF builds strategic alliances and works tirelessly to create a safe and sustainable environment for the sport’s development.
Education is one of its main areas of focus. In partnership with media outlets, the WPF seeks to ensure accurate coverage of poker, highlighting its intellectual and strategic nature and eliminating outdated stigmas. Simultaneously, it engages with governments worldwide to discuss the regulation of poker as a sport, opening new markets and ensuring structured and consistent growth.
The fight for legitimacy is another essential mission. The official entry into IMSA was a decisive step in this process, raising poker’s visibility on the international sports scene. This recognition strengthens the WPF’s ability to protect the sport globally, creates more opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships, and ensures that poker is treated with the seriousness it deserves by governments and sports organizations.
Aware that unity is strength, the WPF plays a crucial role in supporting local federations. By providing guidance and resources, it helps these entities grow in their markets and form regional alliances that drive poker forward. This support not only strengthens local federations but also integrates them into the WPF’s global network, creating a united and influential community working for the sport’s continued development.
The WPF’s efforts aim to establish a global sports structure for poker. This includes creating standardized regulations, developing clear career paths for players, and organizing high-level international competitions.
The federation understands that, for poker to consolidate as a sport, a solid and organized foundation is essential, where players, organizers, and investors have space to thrive and contribute to a bright future.
Igor Federal. Photo: Disclosure.
Player experience
The World Poker Federation (WPF) is making significant efforts to broaden the reach of poker and integrate it into the daily lives of people around the world. Recognizing that fans are essential to the sport’s growth, the federation has invested in initiatives aimed at popularizing the game, making it more accessible, and breaking down persistent prejudices.
Leveraging the power of social media and digital platforms, the WPF will create online communities that connect poker enthusiasts globally, engaging a new generation of fans who dynamically consume and share information. This modern approach allows poker to become an integral part of digital culture, bringing the sport closer to people in their daily lives and strengthening the sense of community.
This commitment to fans reflects a vision of the future in which poker holds a prominent place in popular culture.
With more people playing, watching and discussing poker, the sport gains
vitality and paves the way for a promising future, both in terms of competitive development and cultural impact.
Leonardo Cavarge, CEO of WPF, is emphatic when discussing the topic: “These are essential initiatives to ensure the sport’s continuous renewal, attracting more people to poker and creating a base of competitors who, in the future, will help further strengthen the global scene.
Poker still has an advantage over other sports: it’s never too late to start. There is a huge untapped potential in the game.”
The impact of this work is already visible across all continents. The continuous expansion of the World Poker Federation amplifies poker’s potential for evolution and transformation, making this the ideal time to get involved and be part of this exciting journey. The future is bright, and WPF is at the forefront, guiding poker toward new heights.
Poker events are growing around the world.
WPF Member
The WPF federations and their affiliates host some of the biggest and best poker events in the world.
WPT 500 Mexico
Battle of Malta Italy
Asian Poker Tour Taiwan
BSOP Millions Brazil
Australian Poker Tour Australia
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