The biggest event set to be held in Goa over the next year will, officially, be the inaugural Asian Poker Classic from March 1-5 2007.

The Asian Poker Classic (APC) is the first professional poker tournament to be held in India. It will be sponsored by gaming site MaharajahClub.com and offer one of Asia's richest ever poker prize pool - a guaranteed $1 million. The three-day APC main event marks poker's arrival to the big time in India.

Goa is the perfect venue. The resort has become the new ‘it' spot for people seeking luxury surroundings in India. Spectacular New Year celebrations promise to attract tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world as Goa changes its image into one of glitz and glamour.

Goa is set to transform itself into a gambling mecca over the next 12 months, which underlines that the APC is being held in exactly the right place at the right time. Plans are afoot to build a series of luxury casinos in Goa starting in 2007, so that the venue will eventually rival Macao as Asia's number one gambling destination.

A further coup for the APC is hiring Thomas Kremser as tournament director. The Austrian poker expert has run numerous festivals around the world and played a central role in establishing poker on television across the globe.

Kremser said: “The Asian Poker Classic is not just the biggest poker event scheduled for India in 2007 - it's one of the biggest events anywhere in the world. With big names ready to take part and Goa the perfect setting, it's the most exciting new poker tournament of the year.”

A number of Bollywood and Hollywood celebs will attend to play, watch and have a good time. Names and details will be released in the weeks leading up to the event - watch this space!

Sachin Pawa, CEO of tournament sponsors Maharajah Club, said: “We are proud to be associated with such a prestigious event. The APC will promote poker in India and we look forward to the APC becoming a fixture on the poker circuit.”