Poker Recognized as a Mind Sport by IMSA: A Historic Milestone

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Poker Recognized as a Mind Sport by IMSA: A Historic Milestone


A New Era for Poker

IMSA officially recognizes poker as a mind sport. Learn what this milestone means for players, the industry, and the future of the game.
On November 16, 2024, during the BSOP Millions series in São Paulo, Brazil, poker made history. The International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) officially recognized poker as a mind sport, joining games like chess, bridge, and Mahjong.

The World Poker Federation (WPF), founded in 2022 and supported by 49 Latin American federations, achieved this recognition after two years as an IMSA observer. Igor "Federal" Trafane, WPF president, remarked during the announcement:

"Our mission now is to create the foundations that any major sport has: standard rules, professional training, and international tournaments."

This milestone unlocks significant opportunities across various areas:

  • For players: Career growth, access to international events, and enhanced legitimacy.

  • For the industry: Job stability and market expansion for poker-related professionals.

  • For entrepreneurs and sponsors: A safer environment fostering new sponsorship opportunities.

Despite this achievement, challenges remain. Public perception still heavily associates poker with luck rather than skill, and major industry players such as WSOP, WPT, and online platforms like GGPoker and PokerStars need to collaborate to build a sustainable ecosystem.

This recognition legitimizes poker as a discipline of mental skill and strengthens its global legalization efforts. The collaboration among major brands and federations will be vital in creating a robust infrastructure that secures poker's future.

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