Home / Poker News August 2011 / The Poker Grapevine - Casino Violence in Mexico
The Poker Grapevine - Casino Violence in Mexico
Posted by: Randy Williams - Sat, 2011-08-27 11:56
Mexico’s drug-related violence seems to have reached the doors of gambling establishments too: on Thursday, 6-12 armed men took the Casino Royale, in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, by assault, setting it on fire and killing 52 people in the worst violence to hit the region since the authorities began a large-scale crackdown on local gangs 5 years ago.
The exact details of the incident are unknown. According to the governor of Nuevo Leon, Rodrigo Medina, there were 6 assailants, who arrived to the scene in two vehicles, poured flammable materials all over the casino and then set it on fire. According to witnesses quoted by a local newspaper, there were at least 12 attackers involved, who arrived at the scene in cars and ordered everyone out of the casino. A stampede was caused as the attackers set the building on fire not waiting for people to leave the premises.
Nuevo Leon has been the scene of increasing gang violence as two rival crime organizations wage a war for control of the area.
In other news: the long-awaited
PokerStars WCOOP is just around the corner: set to kick off on August 29, the Series have already generated plenty of buzz. Several of the American poker pros, locked out of the action by the Black Friday events, have moved to various countries, with the declared goal to play in the WCOOP. PokerStars are fully aware of the importance of the Series as well: they celebrate by offering a Mega Satellites Week promotion to their players, which gives everyone the opportunity to earn a WCOOP seat through two daily direct access qualifiers.
Having survived the Black Friday trouncing, PokerStars have yet again put the pedal to the metal as far as promotions and various live event sponsorships are concerned: they have recently announced that the company will become the lead sponsor for the Poker in the Park event organized in London.
