IMSA Grants Mind Sport Status to Poker

In a significant development for the poker community, the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA) has officially recognized poker as a Mind Sport, placing it alongside established disciplines like chess and eSports.

Established in 2005, the IMSA is a global organization that promotes intellectual competition and recognizes disciplines that emphasize strategy, mental skill, and decision-making.

The decision follows years of advocacy led by the World Poker Federation (WPF), which represents over 45 national federations. The WPF has worked to promote poker as a discipline requiring mental skill, strategy, and focus, characteristics that align with IMSA’s criteria for Mind Sports.

“This recognition represents the dedication of thousands who view poker as a genuine intellectual discipline,” said Igor Trafane, President of the WPF.

“It’s an important step in solidifying poker’s status on a global stage.”

Implications of the Recognition

The inclusion of poker as a Mind Sport is expected to bring several benefits, including:

• For Players: Increased legitimacy, new career pathways, and expanded opportunities for international competition.
• For the Workforce: Greater industry stability and growth.
• For Businesses and Sponsors: A more structured environment for partnerships and investments.

Leonardo Cavarge, CEO of the WPF, emphasized the federation’s commitment to building a formal framework for the sport.

“Our next step is to establish standardized regulations, ensure player protections, and create international competitive structures,” he said.

The Path to Recognition

Poker’s recognition by IMSA follows a provisional membership granted to the WPF in December 2022. Over the past two years, the WPF has focused on unifying national federations, cooperating with governments, and promoting poker’s development.

The federation aims to position poker as a discipline rooted in strategy and decision-making under pressure—qualities shared with other Mind Sports.

Looking Ahead

The organisation sees the recognition as an important milestone for poker’s development as a sport. While challenges remain in terms of regulation and public perception, WPF leaders believe this step provides a strong foundation for the future.

For more updates, the World Poker Federation can be followed on their official Instagram.

Based in the United Kingdom, Will started working for PokerNews as a freelance live reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time staff in 2019. He now works as Managing Editor.

He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He also holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism.