There are several venues located throughout the globe that poker players flock to in order to compete in poker tournaments. In Rozvadov, along the Czech and German border, players travel in droves to King’s Casino to take part in cash gaming as well as popular tournament events including tournaments hosted by the WSOP and partypoker. Just a few days ago, the casino announced that due to the coronavirus outbreak, the venue will not be reopening until September 1st.
Card Gaming Delay
For casinos in the US, facilities were showing reopening dates for April, but now President Trump has issued a new government order, stating that social distancing should continue through April 30th. At King’s Casino, they are taking no chances and plan on remaining closed to poker players until the threat of the virus is over.
At the website of King’s Casino, it stated weeks ago that to stay in line with the restrictions issued by the Czech government on March 12th due to the coronavirus, the King’s Casino Prague, King’s Resort and Casino Admiral Rozvadov will remain closed until further notice. The casinos were considered hot spots for the spread of the virus and of course, non-essential services.
The Czech Republic then wasted no time getting started on a lockdown. They closed their borders and restricted their cases of the virus to just over 3,000 as of early April. The border of the country will remain closed for at least six months. Foreign visitors are not allowed to enter but they can leave to go back to their homeland.
WSOPE Action?
Operators of King Casino feel the first time that poker will be back in action by the fall. Leon Tsoukernik stated that the WSOPE in the fall should be the first major festival to take place after the crisis. However, it is still unclear if the casino will reopen at that time for poker events to resume. And even if they do, will players feel comfortable enough to travel to the region to play?
The casino has plans to pay their staff through September 1st. This is a strong commitment to employees as many casinos in the US have stopped paying their workers just days or weeks after they shut down their facilities.
While players cannot visit King’s Casino or other popular venues for poker cash gaming or events, the online option is still open. Players have been logging on in record numbers in order to play as a form of entertainment during the coronavirus pandemic.
In most regions around the world, people are staying home as much as possible. In regions where online poker is available, players are logging on to take part in gaming to provide themselves with something to do as boredom sets in.
Many online poker brands like PokerStars, WSOP and partypoker have provided options for gaming including completely new series or festivals. They know that players are logging on and with events provided on a massive scale, it offers something for everyone to do.
