AGV film looks at poker in China
LOS ANGELES, California -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Asian Gaming Ventures (AGV), a leading Asia focused gaming company and owners of the World Mahjong Tour announced today a new documentary film entitled "Holdem China", which investigates the Texas Holdem Poker phenomenon spreading across China. A trailer has been completed and can be seen online at www.holdemchina.com with the full version documentary anticipated for full release by the end of the year. This documentary explores what happens when Texas Holdem Poker is introduced to the world's most populous and heavy wagering nation, China. "Holdem China" will explore this question beginning in Shanghai, the epicenter of mainland China's fast growing poker scene and will show the triumphs and "bad beats" throughout the entire country.
"AGV feels that poker in China is ready to explode and foresees its true potential for major growth and opportunities in the near future," said Pierre Wuu and David Wang, Asian Gaming Ventures Founders. "Through this project we will identify future trends of poker within China, present real stories of key figures in the region and plant the seeds for the game's massive growth potential in the region, which AGV will legally participate in the marketplace, beginning with this film documentary."
The project will be produced in association with Daedalum Films, a collaborative international team of independent filmmakers Luis A. Tapia, Arnaud Kamphuis, and Peter Kirby.
"The idea began as a short film about the growing interest in the game I was seeing here in Shanghai," said Luis A. Tapia, the film's director. "I quickly realized there was more to the story of Texas Holdem in China, and wanted to expand on the short with a feature-length documentary that captured the spirit of the game's development in this rapidly-changing country."
In related Asian Gaming Ventures news today, the company announced the addition of Todd Steele to its Board of Advisors. Mr. Steele is the former Chief Financial Officer of WPT Enterprises, Inc., creators of the World Poker Tour (NASDAQ: WPTE). Mr. Steele is currently Managing Partner of Simon Equity Partners, the private investment arm of the Simon family, founders of Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG), the largest publicly-traded real estate company in the United States.
"Asian Gaming Ventures is excited to add well respected industry leaders such as Todd who can add value and share knowledge for the future success of the company." said Pierre Wuu and David Wang, Asian Gaming Founders. "Todd has a wealth of experience in the gaming industry and was instrumental in taking WPT Enterprises, Inc public back in 2004. He enhances the Asian Gaming Ventures dream team."