Nikita Luther Wins Shakti Award for Excellence in Gaming

Nikita Luther, India’s first female World Series of Poker (WSOP) champion, has added another milestone to her career by receiving the Shakti Award for Excellence in Gaming at the We Women Want Conclave 2025. The event took place on August 7 at The Imperial Hotel in New Delhi, where she was presented the honor by Shri Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha.

Good to know

• Nikita Luther is Brand Ambassador and Business Consultant for Natural8 India.
• She is the only Indian woman to have won a WSOP bracelet, earning it in 2018.
• The We Women Want Conclave celebrates women breaking barriers in their fields.

Luther made poker history in 2018 when she became the first — and still the only — Indian woman to win a WSOP bracelet. She achieved the milestone in the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Tag Team Event, teaming up with Giuseppe Pantaleo to secure a prize of $175,805.

Her career has since spanned both competitive poker and entertainment. She recently joined GGPoker’s “Poker After Dark’s Game of Gold” series, which blends high-stakes play with the intensity and drama of reality television, further showcasing her versatility in the game.

More Than Just a Win

For Luther, the Shakti Award represents more than another trophy. “This award recognises my journey in the global poker landscape, and this moment is a reminder that the path I chose, though tough, was worth every bit of effort and sweat,” she said. She added that being seen as a role model for women in male-dominated industries makes her even more determined to keep raising the bar.

She also thanked the event’s organisers: “I would like to thank the NewsX team and their Senior Editor, Uday Pratap Singh, for organising such an engaging, uplifting event.”

Recognizing a Game-Changer

Kunal Patni, Executive Director and Country Head of Natural8 India, called the award well-deserved:

“Nikita’s recognition with the Shakti Award is thoroughly deserved. She continues to be a powerful advocate for poker as a skill-based sport and an inspiration for women across India’s gaming and business landscapes.”

The We Women Want Conclave 2025, organised by NewsX, is the live extension of the network’s program that spotlights women’s achievements and tackles pressing issues, from workplace equality to health awareness. Past guests have included leaders like Smriti Irani and actors such as Shabana Azmi and Taapsee Pannu.

The Shakti Awards honor women who have excelled in their fields, broken barriers, and inspired others through leadership and achievement.

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