In what has been one of the most enduring relationships in the online gaming world Winmedia are sad to report their relationship with leading Irish bookmaker Paddy Power has come to an end.

What began in January 2002 with the filming of the world’s first commercially sponsored poker tournament – made into a seven part TV series broadcast on SKY Sports – developed into a 13 year affiliation which reached dizzy heights.

Ian Langstaff, director of Winmedia which has specialised in the filming and broadcast of poker for over a decade, explained:  “Paddy Power unquestionably helped put our company on the map with their boldness of vision to sponsor a televised poker tournament long before online poker was on most people’s radar.  True to the company’s legendary sense of humour that event was actually filmed at the Divine School of Worship Studio, Maynooth, Ireland!

“In the subsequent years we have enjoyed some great times broadcasting and webcasting both the Paddy Power Irish Open and Winter Festivals.  The highlight was probably the 2006 Irish Open when we broadcast the final table of the tournament live on both SKY Sports and national broadcaster RTE.  In 2007-2009 we recorded the day’s action, edited it during the early evening, and broadcasted it as part of a live presentation from the venue that night.   I believe this is the only way to broadcast poker on television.

“Whilst in later years our joint activities have amounted to simply webcasting a single feature table, it is still with a heavy heart that our relationship has come to an end.  We take away some great memories which include working with Liam ‘The Gentleman’ Flood, Doyle Brunson, Kara Scott – amongst other great presenters – and some very deserved winners.”

Winmedia maintain its logistic and streaming contact with the World Poker Tour.  It is also developing the World Series of Baccarat, the opening rounds of which were recently filmed in Macau – the footage is now in post-production.