The World Poker Tour is now requiring that all participants in their live tournaments must have or create a new valid player account on WPT.com. The new mandate will take effect immediately, just in time for the upcoming WPT World Championship series at Resorts World Las Vegas.
Though it's an extra wrinkle to participate, the WPT promises that creating the account is an easy process that can be completed in as little as 30 seconds, via a new signup tool at WPT.com. Once validated, players will then need to show their WPT account status at the cashier window when live-registering for any WPT event.
The WPT did not provide the reasoning for adding the WPT account requirement, though it's certainly another step in the ongoing integration to and enhancement of all things WPT. The account requirement will naturally improve player tracking and the overall accuracy in reporting and compiling results. The process also includes the mandatory signing of a rights release by players that confirms the WPT's publicity rights at its branded events.
Account requirement rolled out amid WPT site redesign
Though the account requirement has been planned for some time, implementation came as the WPT rolled out its newly redesigned online site. The mostly-black look of the old site has been replaced with a brighter look and field featuring a white background and, at least for now, greater prominence to the WPT's rolling news and features.
Links to event updates, schedules, results and leaderboards are somewhat less prominent on the new-look site, mostly being available through the pull-down menus at the top of the page, where a link to the new account-creation requirement and login are also located.
The new-look WPT site is also a work in progress. Among the changes to the new personalization and account requirement for live play, the WPT has promised that it will soon roll out several brand new features for WPT account holders.
