By: TJ Gill


The World Mahjong Tour (WMT) recently announced it has received Series A business funding from Leo Chu, the owner of L.A.-based Hollywood Park and Casino Park Casinos. The company was founded by Click2Asia founder Pierre Wuu and World Poker Tour VP David Wang, who both bring in a wealth of knowledge and experience to this already intriguing venture. The move will hopefully bring the game of Mahjong to the forefront of Asian Gaming. Leo Chu, who is the new WMT chairman, released the following quote to BusinessWire.com, “The future of online and offline gaming will be in Asia and mahjong is the number one game for that region. The World Mahjong Tour will be in a great position to solidify itself as a leader in the space and I am very excited to be a part of it.”

Mahjong was originally started in the early 1920's by the Chinese, and it would later be popularized by other nations around the world. The game has a history dating back all the way to 1100 AD in China, where it bears a similar resemblance to games in the Rummy family.

The World Mahjong Tour will be relying heavily on the rising gaming market in Asia, and more notably in regions like Macau and other Chinese areas of interest. Established in 1999, the Macau region of China increased their gambling receipts by an astounding 22% in 2006, actually eclipsing gaming powerhouse Las Vegas in that department. The WMT is going to air its first broadcasts in early 2008, with its 6 initial tour spots to be held in places such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Macau.

- 2007-12-02