Speaking at a press conference to mark the official launch of the SiGMA Poker Tour, Operations Manager Yvonne Montealgre announced the launch of two official tour locations in 2025 – Brazil and Malta.
She also shared that the first ever Hendon Mob Latam Championships (THMC Latam) will take place during the Brazil leg of the tour.
Yvonne explained:
I’ve been a fan of this company for 10 years and to be part of this group is exciting. We’re taking the tour to the next level and putting it on the poker map.
Roland Boothby, Head of Partnerships at GPI/The Hendon Mob, offered more details on the strategic partnerships between SiGMA and the Hendon Mob – the industry standard for ranking poker players. Commenting on his excitement to enter new territory with the SiGMA tour, Boothby noted that:
The one place we have never ventured into in terms of live events is South America. Brazil is booming in terms of poker, and Brazilian players are known for being some of the most fun to play with. The market is in its infancy and SiGMA has the unique potential to bring together events and networking opportunities within the poker community. The 2025 Hendon Mob will take place across 5 different continents and we are very proud to join the SiGMA team to explore the Latin American market. Poker is in a position where it needs to attract new players to the game. SiGMA has already established itself in the B2B space and the launch of the Poker Tour will be a great opportunity to establish itself in the B2C world.
Designed to bring a new, global dimension to the world of competitive poker, the tour aims to attract players of all skill levels and backgrounds to high-stakes tournaments in major cities around the world.
Eman Pulis, founder of SiGMA Group, spoke about the broader vision for the event, explaining how the Poker Tour complements SiGMA’s mission to unite the gaming industry worldwide – an endeavor with charity at its core. He explained:
We set the bar very high for this mission. From the very beginning, we did it with charity in mind. Surrounded by a super successful B2B industry, we tried to combine the two – connecting charity with our exhibitors. Now we want to replicate that formula on the B2C side.
Emily Micallef, CEO of SiGMA Group mentioned:
We want to take poker to the next level. Poker players are professional consumers, and giving them access to the SiGMA platform is something every player craves. Bridging poker with business and pleasure should pave the way for a dynamite tour.
The SiGMA Poker Tour will align with the SiGMA Foundation to make a meaningful impact on the communities it visits. For each main tour stop, a percentage of every buy-in at a special side event will be donated to support local SiGMA Foundation projects. This initiative not only reinforces the tour’s commitment to responsible gaming, but also ensures that each event leaves a positive legacy in the host community by combining the excitement of poker with the spirit of giving back.
The event concluded with a networking coffee, giving guests the opportunity to mingle with the speakers and learn more about the SiGMA Poker Tour.
