The International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) has officially included poker in the list of intellectual sports, equating it with chess and eSports. This event has become an important milestone for the poker community, emphasizing the intellectual component of the game.IMSA, founded in 2005, is engaged in the recognition of disciplines that require strategic thinking, analytical skills and decision-making. The decision to recognize poker as an intellectual sport was made possible by the many years of work of the World Poker Federation (WPF), which unites more than 45 national federations and actively promotes poker as a strategic discipline.
On November 16, 2024, poker officially received the status of an intellectual sport. WPF President Igor Trafane noted that this recognition was the result of the efforts of thousands of enthusiasts for whom poker is not just a game, but a complex intellectual activity. “We have proven that poker is not only a game of chance, but also a true intellectual discipline. This status will strengthen the position of poker on the world stage,” Trafane emphasized. The IMSA decision was met with approval from key organizations in the poker industry, including PokerStars, the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP), Suprema Poker and H2 Club. This opens up new prospects for players, the professional community and business.
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For players: recognition will increase the legitimacy of poker, providing more opportunities for professional growth and participation in international tournaments. For the industry: it will contribute to the stabilization and growth of the professional poker community.
For businesses and sponsors: it will create a structured platform for investment and partnerships. WPF CEO Leonardo Kavarj said that the next step will be the development of uniform regulations, protection of players’ interests and the creation of international structures for organizing competitions.
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“We will continue to work on popularizing poker, emphasizing its strategic basis and intellectual nature. This will help us take the game to the next level,” added Kavarj. IMSA granted the WPF temporary membership back in December 2022. Since then, the federation has been actively uniting national organizations, establishing cooperation with government agencies, and promoting poker as an intellectual sport. This work has allowed the world to see that poker is more than just a game, it is a strategic discipline that requires cold calculation and resilience under pressure. IMSA recognition was an important step in the history of poker, opening up new horizons for players, the industry, and partners. Casinos are evolving fast – don’t fall behind. Read key gambling industry updates now.
