Poker Industry Buzz: Wynn Reopens, iPoker's New Game, PokerStars Exits China

Wynn Las Vegas is set to reopen its poker room on September 30, 2021, with 24/7 opening hours, 8-player tables, and enhanced safety measures. The reopening comes despite the casino's inclusion in the Southern Nevada Health District's top 10 list of spots frequented by Covid-19 infected patrons. Ryan Beauregard, executive director of poker operations at Wynn Las Vegas, expressed enthusiasm about the reopening, stating that the poker room will deliver an exceptional and safe poker experience.

iPoker has introduced Top Trumps Football Stars Poker as a permanent replacement for their fast-fold variant, Speed Poker. This new game follows the fast-forward format, allowing players to join a pool and immediately fold to move to an open spot at another table. The game features progressive jackpots and a football theme, adding an exciting twist to the fast-fold format. Jörg Nottebaum, Head of Poker at iPoker, highlighted the industry-first progressive jackpots connected to the new game.

PokerStars has reportedly cut ties with 6UP, a third-party skin that offered different deposit/withdrawal options for Chinese players. This move follows PokerStars' withdrawal from the Chinese market, as indicated by FLUTTER Entertainment earlier this year. The discontinuation of the 6UP skin has seen the disappearance of exclusive freerolls, regular tables, and tournaments, with players receiving messages stating that the platform is no longer available in their region. PokerStars has not commented on the move or its implications for live event sponsorship in the region.