Ourgame International Holdings, the Hong Kong-based corporate that acquired World Poker Tour two years ago from Bwin for $35 million, has announced plans for a share subscription scheme to raise HK$416,000 (GBP 40.2 million).
The proceeds will be used to expand WPT operations along with those of eSports subsidiary Allied Esports International in the region, with particular focus on the Chinese market. Ourgame has reportedly earmarked 15 percent of the new funds for WPT online and live growth projects in Japan, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. These will involve new strategic partnerships with suitable but unspecified companies.
A larger slice – 30 percent – will be allocated to the expansion of eSports activity through Allied Esports International, which has ambitions to construct ten eSports arenas – up to six in North America and four in China.
The first of the North American projects is already under construction at the Luxor in Las Vegas. Two more “mobile” eSports facilities are destined for China, designed to emulate the success of the “Big Betty” project in Europe.
A further 45 percent of the new capital will be directed to improvements and expansion for Ourgame’s mobile products, and the remaining 10 percent will go to working capital.