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According to the Tribunal de Grande Instance, the legendary French poker club Aviation Club de France will remain closed and will be liquidated after 108 years of providing card games to Paris residents. Meanwhile, the European Poker Tour announces the removal of Deauville from the schedule because of low attendance numbers.
Poker has been struggling in France for years, online poker revenues have been steadily dropping and live poker tournaments have had low turnouts. Many poker pros have stated that the government is trying to ruin poker and that it makes life as a professional player a nightmare.
The authorities are trying to tax players retrospectively for winnings that they don't even have anymore and as a result most of the big online players have moved abroad to continue playing.
The Aviation Club was raided and searched in September 2014 and was closed indefinitely, they couldn't renew their gaming license or organize any card games. 213 employees had to wait five months for the decision of the French court which stated that the room will remain closed and liquidated.
The Club started out as private club for the airmen of the military in 1907 and opened to everyone in 1925. The Club has offered poker since 1995 and it became one of the most famous clubs in the whole of Europe, they offered games 24/7 and helped to build the French poker community.
The French live poker scene looks pretty bleak currently, another club called Cercle Cadet also closed one month ago, currenty the only place where players can go to play is the Cirlce Clichy-Montmartre.
Meanwhile, the European Poker Tour has announced that Deauville will be removed from the schedule after 10 stops in the city in 11 seasons. The numbers have been steadily declining and the messy French regulations didn't make things better either.
It is currently unknown what the replacement stop will be, only Barcelona and Prague have been confirmed for the new season.