The International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) has officially recognized poker as a mind sport. This recognition is the result of a long process by the World Poker Federation (WPF), which after two years as a provisional member, achieved the unprecedented status of definitive member.
WPF promoted the announcement ceremony at the WTC Sheraton, in São Paulo. This happened during the BSOP Millions 2024, the biggest event in the sport in Latin America.
Executives from world federations and IMSA were present at the event and gave the final opinion after the assembly, changing the status of poker globally.
Integration with other mind sports
Now, poker joins other mind sports, such as chess and eSports, which the entity already recognizes. These modalities share characteristics with traditional sports, but also require intellectual skills to compete. In this way, it works as an activity that works the brain and logic, involving concentration, reasoning and decision-making.
Therefore, in December 2022, WPF was unanimously accepted as a provisional member of IMSA, paving the way for this worldwide recognition. The federation’s executives have carried out continuous work over the past 20 years with the purpose of protecting, promoting and developing poker as a sport of the mind.
According to Igor Federal, president of the Federation, this is a fundamental step for Brazilian and global poker. “IMSA’s opinion is the result of the work and dedication of thousands of people around the world who see poker as a true profession and an intellectual discipline.”
“With a strong global network of federations in place and with poker officially recognized as a sport of the mind, we have shifted our efforts to creating the foundation that every major sport already has: standardized regulations, professional pathways, player protections and international competitions,” he added.
Future goals
WPF will continue with the goal of uniting the global community. The entity already has more than 45 affiliated nations from five continents and works to promote the activity in the country and around the world.
“Our focus is on building a truly global sporting framework for poker. The World Poker Federation was built on the belief that by joining forces, we can amplify our impact while protecting the game we love. Every player and federation adds strength to our collective voice,” concluded Leonardo Cavarge, CEO of WPF.
