PokerStars Opens Live Poker Room in Macau

PokerStars has become the first online poker room to bridge the gap between brick and mortar and internet poker. Today was the grand opening of their live poker room, known simply as PokerStars Macau.

Macau is no stranger to gamblers as this Chinese state has been a common tourist destination to mainland Chinese for years, however; until today there were no poker rooms located anywhere in the state let alone the main strip.

Obviously this is a big win for PokerStars as the Asian market is one the gambling industry has been keeping an eye on as the next potential source for an influx of new business. Many Vegas operators have already found homes in Macau, including the opening of hotels and casinos by Wynn Resorts, Sands Las Vegas and MGM Grand. The problem from the online gambling side is China’s strong legal stance against it, this appears to be breaking down now though.

In the past, China had gone out of their way not only to prohibit internet poker but also to reduce its citizen’s exposure to the game. In 2007, World Poker Tour signed a 5 year agreement to bring televised poker to China for the first time, something previously strictly prohibited.

As the rest of the poker industry watches the Asian market with salivating mouths hoping for a chance for expose there; PokerStars once again has shown they’re one step ahead of their competitors as their brand name in the early stages has chance to become synonymous with the game. PokerStars Macau opening comes hot on the heels of the extremely successful Asian Pacific Poker Tour in November, which was another PokerStars brainchild.

PokerStars Macau is located in the Grand Waldo Hotel and Casino and seats 160 players. They offer cash games and have a bobust weekly tournament schedule. To kick off the opening they’re offering some big tournament and charity events which will help earthquake victims in China.

Editor’s note: Poker players from around the world interested in visiting PokerStars Macau can do so by winning a seat to one the room’s events online via PokerStars.com.