Rumor: Chinese Ministry Orders Take-down of All Online Poker Games by June 1
Eastday.com, 4/19/18
China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism is reportedly preparing to launch new regulations on online card games and has required all PC client and mobile app platforms to immediately cease offering downloads of poker games. The Ministry recently convened an "exchange meeting" with 15 major internet companies to discuss the matter, according to online reports. All "Texas-style" games must subsequently completely stop operations by June 1. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism will stop accepting any record entries or updates concerning that type of game.
Games in which the outcomes are automatically determined by probabilities (i.e. games of chance), such as slot machines and Texas Hold'em must not be provided.
Among card games, "Texas-style" games are suspected of being involved in gambling.
Editor's Note: Chinese online PC and mobile game operator Boyaa Interactive International (0434.HK), which counts poker-related games as a significant component of its game portfolio, saw its share price drop over 12.5% today (April 20) following yesterday's media reports of the expected new regulations.
Keywords: online gaming mobile gaming wireless Internet Texas Hold'em Ministry of Culture and Tourism regulation
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