The gambling market on the move
Once the new legislation has been implemented, the poker clubs reorganized themselves. New lavish clubs were inaugurated and attracted the poker believers like a magnet.
This reoganization comes immediately after the Government published in the Official Gazette of Romania the ordinance to stipulate the activities that are specific to the poker clubs and that can be licensed as gambling centers. It should be mentioned that this license is granted on an individual basis, is valid for five years and is not transferrable. The normative act specifies the minimum requirements for a space organizing poker activities. Upon considering all the above, numerous poker clubs restructured and were opened to the public rolling out the red carpet, which obviously caught the attention of the poker players.
PokerFest Club
One of the most exclusive poker clubs in Europe, PokerFest Club, opened in September, at Pullman Hotel in Bucharest. The event was marked by the greatest poker tournament ever played in Romania. The first tournament was a real triumph among the players, a true sign that PokerFest brand is becoming stronger on this market.
A number of over 500 participants registered for the competition, which had a €50,000 as pool of prizes. The money was split into the first 50 positions. The tournament ended with a marathon final table of 13 hours and the winner was Narcis Olaru in Piatra-Neamt. He cashed in €9,500, after he had agreed to have the pool of money redistributed.
As for the success of this club, this is what Sorin Constantinescu, PokerFest President, said in an exclusive interview for our publication ,Casino Life & Business Magazine’ – ‘For the last two years, we have been struggling with the legal restrictions but we finally managed to have the poker become legal in Romania.’
Another exclusive statement was given by Gina Pistol, PokerFest ambassador, ‘I believe that PokerFest Club is the largest poker club in Romania. The location is exquisite and the demand for such club has been on the rise lately.’
All In Poker Club
This club has been recently inaugurated and is located on the former Casino Mirage site in Bucharest. A RON 200+30 buy-in tournament was organized, second chance and 30-minute blind level. The promoters announced the opening of a All In Poker Club in Sibiu, on September 27, inside Bicicleta French Pub a All In Poker Club – GameSpot Sibiu. The first night was as spectacular as in Bucharest. The people present there played Street Poker and Striptease Poker and stars Loredana Chivu, Ana-Maria Mocanu and Sanziana Buruiana honored the event.
No Name Poker Club
Another poker club that joined the Bucharest market after the implementation of the new legislation is No Name Poker Club, opened between 2 and 10 pm. Tournaments take place here daily, along with special events for the gambling lovers visiting the No Name Poker Club. The location will soon move from Viilor Soseaua to Alba Iulia Square.
Casino poker clubs
The poker clubs that are located inside the live casinos will still operate under their previous licenses. Once they expire, the clubs will have to comply with the latest legislation measures.