Igor Trafane is a prominent figure in the world of mind sports, best known for his pivotal role in the development of poker, particularly in Brazil and Latin America.
Igor Trafane, President of World Poker Federation
As the Founder and President of the World Poker Federation (WPF), he has played an instrumental role in shaping the global landscape of competitive poker, while also being a driving force behind the recognition of poker as a legitimate mind sport. Recently, Trafane was also appointed as the Vice President of the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), further cementing his position as a key player in the global mind sports community.
Trafane’s journey into the world of business and mind sports began with his education in Business Administration at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), one of Brazil’s most prestigious universities. After graduating, Trafane co-founded Centro Cultural Americano, a network of 80 English schools based in São Paulo.
Under his leadership, the company achieved rapid expansion, and its success culminated in its sale to a major educational group in 2005. The remarkable growth of Centro Cultural Americano became a model of commercial success and efficiency in the Brazilian business world.
After his successful business ventures, Trafane shifted his focus to poker, initially as a player, before expanding his efforts to developing the poker industry in Brazil and beyond. In 2009, Trafane founded the Brazilian Texas Hold’em Confederation (CBTH), the first national body in Brazil dedicated to advocating for and promoting poker. This initiative marked a historic moment for the sport, as it was during his leadership that poker was officially recognized as a mind sport by Brazil’s Ministry of Sports. This recognition opened the door for the expansion of poker across the nation, which now boasts 12 million poker players, positioning Brazil as one of the leading hubs for poker in the world.
In addition to his work with the CBTH, Trafane was a key player in establishing the Brazilian Mind Sports Association (ABJH), which brings together mind sports such as chess, bridge, and checkers. As Vice President of ABRESPI (Brazilian Association of Intellectual Sports), he helped promote the legitimacy of mind sports in Brazil, emphasizing their strategic importance in the national sports ecosystem.
Trafane’s work in this field culminated in the creation of the Pan-American Confederation of Sports Poker (CPPD), a regional body that unites poker federations across Latin America to encourage cooperation and growth within the industry. Trafane continues to serve as the president of the CPPD.
At the helm of the World Poker Federation (WPF), Trafane oversees the largest global organization for poker, with 49 affiliated national federations under its umbrella. The WPF works tirelessly to educate the public and influence policymakers to recognize and regulate poker as a legitimate sport worldwide.
Under Trafane’s leadership, the WPF successfully secured the recognition of poker as a mind sport by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), further solidifying its place on the global stage.
In the business arena, Trafane has also founded the largest poker conglomerate in Latin America, incorporating well-known brands within the region’s poker industry. His work has been pivotal in building infrastructure for the sport, promoting education, and expanding the cultural influence of poker across Latin America and beyond.
Through his leadership and vision, Igor Trafane has become an undisputed authority in the world of poker and mind sports, creating lasting impact and shaping the future of the industry on a global scale.