{"id":54544,"date":"2022-03-09T22:32:36","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T22:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/?p=54544"},"modified":"2022-03-09T22:32:36","modified_gmt":"2022-03-09T22:32:36","slug":"game-over-pokerstars-announces-pullout-of-russian-market-in-light-of-ukraine-invasion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/game-over-pokerstars-announces-pullout-of-russian-market-in-light-of-ukraine-invasion\/","title":{"rendered":"GAME OVER: PokerStars Announces Pullout of Russian Market in Light of Ukraine Invasion"},"content":{"rendered":"

The fallout of the Russian<\/strong> invasion of Ukraine<\/strong> continues to affect business operations around the world. Many international companies have pulled out of Russia in recent days and that includes online poker<\/a> operators.<\/span><\/p>\n

The latest came on Wednesday with PokerStars<\/strong><\/a> announcing it would be pulling out of the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImportant update: we are suspending all our services in Russia,\u201d the company noted on Twitter<\/a>.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

PokerStars, partypoker out in Russia<\/span><\/h2>\n

The withdrawal of one of the world\u2019s largest poker operators<\/strong><\/a> will leave many players in the country looking for another option. The move also follows partypoker<\/strong><\/a> exiting the market<\/a> in early February.<\/span><\/p>\n

Party had legal concerns regarding continued operations in the market.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s correct we are removing services from various locations due to regulatory issues,\u201d party Twitch and community manager Colette Stewart noted on the site\u2019s Discord server.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Stars now seems to be continuing that trend with war raging in Ukraine. As PokerScout<\/em> reported last week<\/a>, operators aren\u2019t scheduling live events in the country after the invasion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Party, GGPoker<\/strong><\/a>, 888poker<\/strong><\/a>, and the World Poker Tour<\/strong> have no events planned in the country at the moment. PokerStars also canceled the Sochi stop on the European Poker Tour that was planned in March.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPokerStars can confirm that EPT Sochi has been canceled,\u201d the company noted in a statement to PokerScout. \u201cAn event will not be held in Sochi until such time that it is safe for staff and players, and appropriate to do so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Punishing Putin or punishing players?<\/span><\/h2>\n

As more companies exit the Russian market, some critics argue these types of moves are punishing the Russian people instead of President Vladimir Putin<\/strong>. Others argue pressure on the country as a whole might help bring change to the country\u2019s leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

As for poker, the country had been a growing market for online poker prior to the arms buildup and invasion<\/strong>. In the wake of increased sanctions<\/strong> on the country, online poker companies may also now see the country as just too challenging to continue operating.<\/span><\/p>\n

As of now, at least PokerStars and partypoker see too much risk in taking on Russian players. No other operators had yet announced ceasing operations in the country as of Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Several players on Twitter urged 888poker and GGPoker to follow the lead of PokerStars and partypoker. However, those companies\u2019 haven’t made any announcements regarding operations in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Poker players follow events in Ukraine<\/span><\/h2>\n

Like many around the world, poker players have watched events play out in Ukraine. Many players recently followed the plight of Ukrainian poker player and entrepreneur Eugene Katchalov<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The former WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic<\/strong> winner was born in Ukraine, but his family moved to the United States when he was 2 years old. Katchalov moved back to Ukraine five years ago, but sought to get his family out of the country when fighting began.<\/span><\/p>\n

As he and his family drove to the border, Katchalov gave a first-hand account<\/a> of what was happening in the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust saw two military helicopters fly overhead,\u201d he noted. \u201cCertainly haven\u2019t felt nerves like this since 9\/11<\/strong> in Manhattan.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The family eventually crossed into Hungary<\/strong>. Katchalov has continued offering updates from friends and family still in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Can personally confirm this as well having connected a few families with some incredibly welcoming and helpful Polish people \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf1\u2665\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 https:\/\/t.co\/8YcB42xrqV<\/a><\/p>\n

— Eugene Katchalov (@EugeneKatchalov) March 6, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n