It’s not just Pokerstars that has seen a poker tournament disrupted by the Chinese police recently (see previous report); Chinese media in Beijing report that a gay poker race has been cancelled following police intervention.
The “Gaymazing Poker Race” was based on a format of teams of four racing each other to six city hutong (lane) bars, where they would have a full hand of poker dealt to them between 1.30 and 5pm Saturday.
The race was launched to raise funds for the Beijing LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) Centre, a non-profit, community-based organisation.
Media reports said that the event was cancelled at the last minute after police officials visited the Centre.
Sponsor Great Leap Brewing commented on the issue in a statement, explaining: “Unfortunately, due to concerns beyond our control, the Beijing LGBT Center along with Great Leap Brewing are sad to announce that the 2015 Gaymazing Race will be postponed until a further date.”