Aussie Poker Pros Launch Petition against Star Entertainment's Unjustified Bans
Date: 2023-09-14 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: POKER
In a startling turn of events, Australian poker professionals are up in arms against Star Entertainment Group's controversial bans. The Australian Poker Schedule, a platform dedicated to keeping enthusiasts updated on upcoming events, has initiated a petition denouncing Star's actions, claiming them to be "unjustified."
Craig Abernethy, the brains behind the Australian Poker Schedule, has taken a strong stance against the casino giant's decisions. According to Abernethy, over the course of just one year, Star Entertainment Group has banned more than half a dozen of Australia's finest poker players.
Among those allegedly unjustly banned are Alex Lynskey, Jarred Graham, Hun Wei Lee, Najeem Ajez, Rehman Kassam, and Chris Zenonos. Presently, these players, alongside others, cannot step foot inside Star's establishments without the fear of police intervention.
Abernethey emphasizes that these players have not only dedicated themselves to mastering the art of poker but have also built their careers around it, competing at the highest levels for over a decade. They enjoy sterling reputations and are highly esteemed within the global poker community.
The most distressing aspect of this situation, as Abernethy points out, is the complete lack of transparency from Star Entertainment regarding the reasons behind these bans. When approached, the company simply stated that it is not obliged to provide explanations for its decisions.
Abernethy Calls for Support
The bans have far-reaching consequences as they effectively bar the affected players from participating in the World Poker Tour Australia, thanks to the exclusive partnership between the World Poker Tour and Star Entertainment Group.
This means that these players will miss out on the opportunity to compete in a prestigious event, all without knowing the rationale behind their bans. Abernethy underscores the gravity of the situation, highlighting that any poker player could find themselves in a similar predicament at any time.
Founder of the Australian Poker Schedule, Abernethy, expresses deep concern over Star's actions and calls upon the poker community and their allies to take a stand against what he describes as "cruel, arrogant, and high-handed" behavior from the company.
As of now, the petition has garnered 527 signatures.
Casino.org reached out to Abernethy for further insights. He suggested that Star Entertainment might flag poker players who transfer substantial sums of money as suspicious, possibly associating it with money laundering. Given Star's recent run-ins with regulators, the company may be adopting a more cautious approach in implementing its remedial measures.
Craig Abernethy, the brains behind the Australian Poker Schedule, has taken a strong stance against the casino giant's decisions. According to Abernethy, over the course of just one year, Star Entertainment Group has banned more than half a dozen of Australia's finest poker players.
Among those allegedly unjustly banned are Alex Lynskey, Jarred Graham, Hun Wei Lee, Najeem Ajez, Rehman Kassam, and Chris Zenonos. Presently, these players, alongside others, cannot step foot inside Star's establishments without the fear of police intervention.
Abernethey emphasizes that these players have not only dedicated themselves to mastering the art of poker but have also built their careers around it, competing at the highest levels for over a decade. They enjoy sterling reputations and are highly esteemed within the global poker community.
The most distressing aspect of this situation, as Abernethy points out, is the complete lack of transparency from Star Entertainment regarding the reasons behind these bans. When approached, the company simply stated that it is not obliged to provide explanations for its decisions.
Abernethy Calls for Support
The bans have far-reaching consequences as they effectively bar the affected players from participating in the World Poker Tour Australia, thanks to the exclusive partnership between the World Poker Tour and Star Entertainment Group.
This means that these players will miss out on the opportunity to compete in a prestigious event, all without knowing the rationale behind their bans. Abernethy underscores the gravity of the situation, highlighting that any poker player could find themselves in a similar predicament at any time.
Founder of the Australian Poker Schedule, Abernethy, expresses deep concern over Star's actions and calls upon the poker community and their allies to take a stand against what he describes as "cruel, arrogant, and high-handed" behavior from the company.
As of now, the petition has garnered 527 signatures.
Casino.org reached out to Abernethy for further insights. He suggested that Star Entertainment might flag poker players who transfer substantial sums of money as suspicious, possibly associating it with money laundering. Given Star's recent run-ins with regulators, the company may be adopting a more cautious approach in implementing its remedial measures.
