Coronavirus cancels Triton Poker South Korea event

Triton Poker has postponed this month’s upcoming event in Jeju, South Korea due to the coronavirus outbreak in neighboring China.

The Triton Poker Super High Roller Series was scheduled to begin their 2020 season later this month at Jeju Shinhwa World from February 10-22. The event was to include 12 tournaments, including the 1,000,000 HKD Main Event on February 20.

If Triton Poker’s stop in Jeju is not rescheduled in the next few months, the 2020 series won’t officially begin until May with the Triton Poker Super High Roller Series Montenegro.

Triton Poker isn’t the only poker game being affected by the coronavirus outbreak. According to reports out of Macau, China, one of the only places in the country where casinos can legally operate, the gambling mecca has become a ghost town.

Casinos and poker rooms in Macau remain open and are taking precautions with increased hygiene practices and dealers wearing face masks, but it hasn’t been enough to keep scared gambler for coming out to play, resulting in near deserted poker rooms.

The dwindling crowds in Macau during what is typically a busy time of year has caused many in China to call for the legalization and regulation of online poker and gambling in China to make up for the losses and add a safety net for revenues during any potential future outbreaks. China’s online gambling laws and rules are among some of the strictest in the world, outlawing it throughout the country.

As the coronavirus outbreak continues and slowly spreads to other countries, organizers of the 2020 World Series of Poker are keeping a close eye on the outbreak despite the start of the event still being three month away.

Representatives of the WSOP have said they will consult experts for guidance as more news on the outbreak and any potential dangers become available, but as of now all WSOP events are scheduled to go ahead as planned.