WPT Playing Dirty on Facebook?

I think we all understand the nature of the WSOP\’s use of SMM services like Social Zinger to push for their play-money online poker game on Facebook and Instagram. It is also being heavily advertised on commercials during ESPNs broadcast of the WSOP main event. People seeking more information, however, could be mistakenly led to the Facebook page promoting action with the WPT, arguably one of their biggest competitors for this market.

Check out the potentially confusing appropriation of the WSOP logo in an ad currently being served up to hundreds of thousands of fans of \”poker\” on Facebook:

Sure enough, it takes clickers to the official WPT Texas Hold\’em Poker page.

Careless mistake by a WPT social media intern … or conscious effort on days the WSOP is airing on ESPN such that they get the \”likes\” before Big Casino corporate lawyers make someone say \”oops, sorry\” and change the ad to something that doesn\’t use tactics usually reserved for fly-by-night operations looking to make a quick buck?

UPDATE: On 9/21, the WPT issued an official statement on the matter:

“We would like to confirm that the Facebook ad mentioned in your September 17, 2010 post was indeed a mistake on the part of a 3rd party advertising agency used by our \”WPT Texas Hold\’em on Facebook\” licensee. The ad was placed by the advertising agency without the knowledge of WPT or our Facebook game licensee.

Please be assured that we acted immediately to rectify the situation and that the advertising agency has pulled the unapproved ad. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.”