The World Poker Tour (WPT) is on the move.

Just days after announcing its first-ever event in Africa, the WPT has announced its first-ever event in Italy.

The event will be held in May of 2009 in Venice, the world-famous city known for its canals, gondolas and gondoliers.

The event will officially be called WPT Venice.

“We’re thrilled to launch our first ever brick-and-mortar WPT tournament offering in Italy,”=9D Steve Lipscomb, chief executive officer of the WPT, said in a press release.

“We look forward to bringing the WPT brand to poker players in Italy,” he added.

The event will be held at the Casino di Venezio (Casino of Venice).

The announcement of an Italy stop on the WPT continues the WPT’s efforts to expand globally, especially in places where poker has yet to make a major mark.

Last week, the WPT announced that this fall it will hold its first-ever event on the continent of Africa.

That event will take place in Marrakesh, Morocco.

(E-mail Tom Somach at tomsomach@yahoo.com.)