EPT Cancels Moscow Tournament

Following the passage of new regulations last week that banned the sport of poker from all but four remote areas of Russia, the European Poker Tour (EPT) has cancelled its upcoming Moscow tournament and announced Kiev as an alternate venue for the August event.

The EPT Kiev Sports Poker Championship will now take place from August 18 to 23 at the Kiev Sports Palace under the regulation and authority of the Ukrainian Ministry Of Youth, Family And Sport and in partnership with the Ukrainian Poker Federation.

The new event is expected to be the largest poker tournament ever held in the Ukraine and replaces the Russian Open, which was due to take place at the Radisson SAS from August 18 to 23.

“The European Poker Tour sincerely apologises to all players who were intending to attend the Moscow event but, unfortunately, these circumstances were beyond our control,” read a statement issued by the EPT on Sunday.

“Players are encouraged to consider attending the Ukrainian event instead and to participate in the opening of the EPT's sixth season.

“PokerStars.com advises its players who qualified online for the Moscow event that their packages including buy-in and hotel will be converted to EPT Kiev packages. However, they will also be eligible to take a credit for a future event or receive the cash equivalent value as alternatives.

“We appreciate the opportunity to bring the EPT to beautiful and historic Kiev and look forward to exploring the sights, sounds and flavours of the rich Ukrainian culture.”