PokerStars and Club Barrière have announced the cancellation of the European Poker Tour (EPT) Paris 2025, originally scheduled for February next year, amidst ongoing political disruption in France.
The group pinpointed “unforeseen changes in French government policies and ongoing regulatory developments in Paris” as the deciding factor for the decision.
The group emphasised that it is closely monitoring the evolving legal landscape, as uncertainty around licensing requirements continues.
There was also confirmation that PokeStars is seeking to reschedule the Paris event in spite of the regulatory challenges in the country.
Furthermore, PokerStars and Club Barrière also underpinned their continued commitment to collaborating with local authorities to achieve a more stable regulatory framework.
Issuing an official update, PokerStars added: “We understand the disappointment this news will bring to our players and the wider poker community. To those who have already secured online packages for EPT or FPS Paris, our team will reach out directly with further information.”
The French Gambling industry continues to be faced with an uncertain future with tax rises and iGaming regulation in the balance, as Prime Minister Michel Barnier is staring at a budget showdown with opposition to pass critical balancing measures.
Barnier’s government could be the shortest-lived in France’s history as he faces a vote of no confidence that he is expected to lose this afternoon. The vote follows French MPs’ rejection of the 2025 Budget Barnie submitted on Monday.
