ShareThe One Drop Foundation and the World Poker Tour (WPT) have announced a partnership agreement to collaborate on charitable initiatives within the poker community. Both organisations have a strong commitment to philanthropy, with One Drop providing underprivileged communities around the world access to safe drinking water, while the WPT Foundation has raised more than $45 million for various charities.
One Drop Foundation and WPT to Host Premier Events
One Drop Foundation was founded by occasional high-stakes poker player Guy Laliberte, who also founded Cirque du Soleil. The Canadian-based organisation has long promoted its initiatives through poker, and the community has always stepped up to help raise money for good causes. In fact, since its inception in 2007, One Drop has raised more than $25 million through poker events. Laliberte set out a goal of donating $100 million (CAD) to the organisation over 25 years when he started the non-profit.The WPT also has an extensive history of raising money for useful causes. Over the past decade, the WPT Foundation has raised more than $45 million for over three-dozen charities, including the NASCAR Foundation, Special Olympics, and the Conservation International.
WPT CEO Adam Pliska said: "WPT has always committed to giving back to those in need both locally and globally. Through the World Poker Tour we have utilised our position in the poker community to raise millions of dollars in funding for non-profit organisations, and we are eager to continue this charitable thread by teaming up with the incredible One Drop Foundation."
The partnership between One Drop and the WPT will include premier events hosted by WPT casino partners around the world. Details about these events will be released in the near future.
Alexandre Meunier, One Drop Foundation’s Chief Marketing and Events Officer, said: "We now look forward to the next milestone in our mission to improve access to safe water and living conditions for millions across the globe. We are confident the World Poker Tour is the ideal partner to help us achieve that goal, hand in hand with the global poker community."
In 2012, 2014, and 2018, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) hosted the first ever $1 million buy-in Big One for One Drop events in Las Vegas, where a portion of each buy-in went to help people all around the world get access to safe drinking water. Since 2012, the WSOP has also hosted annual lower cost charity bracelet One Drop events ranging from $1,111 to $111,111. The WPT and One Drop have together raised over $70 million for various global causes over the years.
The partnership between One Drop and the WPT is a promising initiative to promote philanthropy within the poker community. By collaborating and organising premier events worldwide, the partnership is sure to contribute to the goals of both organisations, making a positive impact on the lives of many underprivileged people globally.
