PokerStars postpones European live events due to coronavirus
Operator cans stops in France, Germany and Spain as players avoid partypoker event in Sochi over virus fears
PokerStars has taken the decision to cancel all of its scheduled live poker events in Europe up until 10 April, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The three affected events were stops in Hamburg, Madrid, and La Grande-Motte in southern France as part of the Road to PSPC (PokerStars Players NL Hold’em Championship), culminating in the PSPC in Barcelona this August.
Both the La Grande-Motte and Hamburg events were due to run from 10 March to 15 March, while Madrid was scheduled to take place from 1 April to 5 April.
PokerStars has said that online qualifiers to the postponed events will be able to transfer seats won in satellites to future tournaments.
Meanwhile, all other events outside of Europe – Okada Manila Millions, BSOP São Paulo and EPT Sochi – are unaffected.
PokerStars is coordinating with the relevant casinos hosting these events to provide hand sanitisers, as well as ensuring poker equipment is sanitised daily and decks are regularly changed.
In a post on the PokerStars blog, Séverin Rasset, MD at The Stars Group, wrote: “The situation is highly dynamic and live tournaments are a big part of what we do.
“So we are endeavouring to strike a balance of catering to our players’ wants while also protecting attendees, and ensuring we act responsibly.
“We are reviewing every event on a case-by-case basis, and keeping up to speed on the latest developments alongside our casino partners.”
GVC-owned partypoker is currently running its exclusive Millions Super High Roller Series in Sochi, Russia.
However, partypoker’s Rob Yong tweeted on the eve of the series that 40 of the 87 players confirmed to be travelling to the Black Sea resort had pulled out due to concerns over coronavirus.
Lovely set up @sochicasino for @partypoker MILLIONS Super High Roller Series…..we had 87 confirmed travelling players to Russia & then BOOM – 40 cancelations in last 7 days due to Coronavirus! But I think this will still be successful series …KTF
Rob pic.twitter.com/vj1iscezQF
— Rob Yong (@rob_yong_) March 5, 2020
As of Monday morning, Italy remains the country in Europe worst hit by Covid-19 with 366 deaths and 7,375 infections.
Football matches in Italy’s top-flight, Serie A, went ahead, albeit behind closed doors, despite calls by the country’s sports minister for all football to be suspended.