China Bans Online Poker Apps on Social Media

China appears to be cracking down on online poker by declaring that the game will no longer be recognized as a competitive sport and banning promotion of online poker games on social media. According to local media, the ban will require all apps offering any form of social poker game to be shut down and removed from app stores by June.

China is moving against online poker by banning play on social apps offering versions of the game and by declaring that poker will no longer be considered a competitive sport in the country.

According to Chinese media reports recounted by Inside Asian Gaming, the ban will require all apps offering any form of social poker game to be shut down and removed from app stores by June. Social media channels such as WeChat will also be banned from promoting any form of Texas Hold ‘em product.

Online poker is predominately played on social apps in Chins, the report said, so the ban could effectively block most players and companies. Hong Kong-listed Boyaa Interactive, for example, offers the Boyaa Poker Tour through an online app. The company’s share price fall by 12 percent immediately following news of the ban, the report said.

Inside Asian Gaming also reported that Tencent, developer of WeChat, has taken down its World Series of Poker app. Also, Ourgame, which owns and operates the World Poker Tour, posted a statement on its website saying it will examine and correct its poker offerings in order to satisfy the new regulations.

The full legal framework of China’s social media poker ban, however, has not been completely released.

Recent Articles

History Playbook

On This Day In Sports History

On July 25, 2015, Cole Hamels pitched a 13-strikeout no-hitter to lead the Phillies past the Cubs 5-0 at Wrigley Field—the first no-hitter at the stadium since 1972. Hamels threw 129 pitches, securing the final out when Odúbel Herrera made a dramatic, tumbling catch on a Kris Bryant fly ball to center field. This historic performance marked Hamels' final game in a Philadelphia uniform; after 10 seasons with the club, he was traded to the Rangers six days later.

On This Day In Sports History

On July 24, 1908, American Johnny Hayes won the Olympic marathon in London following a dramatic controversy. Italian runner Dorando Pietri entered White City Stadium well in the lead but collapsed five times from exhaustion. Track officials helped Pietri to his feet each time, enabling him to cross the finish line 32 seconds ahead of Hayes. However, after a protest was filed on the American's behalf, Pietri was disqualified for receiving assistance, and Hayes was awarded the victory.