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Reasons Why the 2020 WSOP Should Be Delayed or Canceled

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2020 WSOP Cancelled

Amazingly, the 2020 WSOP is still on schedule despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While some think that it is OK to wait until May to make a decision, all signs point to this pandemic continuing until the summer.

Today, we take a look at why the WSOP should go ahead and delay or cancel the 2020 World Series of Poker.

Look at What Other Leagues Are Stating

There are many sports leagues that have either canceled their seasons or have delayed events until later this year. Even the league that is considering playing games this summer is not going back to “business as usual” right away.

Major League Baseball and other sports are contemplating whether to play games without fans in attendance. Other leagues are looking at the fall as the earliest that you can go back to normal.

Knowing this, how can the WSOP expect to hold a poker series at the end of May? It is unlikely that all restrictions will be lifted from Las Vegas by then. Even if they are, there will still likely be new cases being reported of the coronavirus. Do officials want to risk respreading the virus by putting together thousands of players?

Pay Attention to Orders in Other States

Take a look at what other states are doing in regards to “Stay at Home” orders and other limitations. Many are taking these orders through the end of April, with others taking them into May or even June. Virginia has orders in effect until June 10th.

If states can issue long-standing orders that go up to and beyond the start of the WSOP, doesn’t it make sense to delay the start of the event until most states are giving the “all clear?” That won’t happen for a while, especially in the hardest-hit areas like New York who are still reporting thousands of new cases per day.

Are We Paying Attention to the Rest of the World?

Looking at the numbers of infection globally, there were over 71,000 new cases reported on Sunday with only 25,000 coming from the United States. There are over 1.27 million cases reported with only 336,000 coming from the US.

It doesn’t matter what we are doing in the United States if the rest of the world is still battling this virus. Players come to the WSOP from around the world. Get a few infected spread out amongst the players and a new outbreak could be triggered.

What About the Legal Liability?

As someone that had to consistently consider the legal liability in his profession for years, I have to wonder if the WSOP has thoroughly considered their liability for running the WSOP during this pandemic. Players that get infected during the WSOP will likely want to sue Caesars for holding the event. If players come out because the WSOP has deemed it “safe to play,” the WSOP could be looking at some major liability issues.

A few dozen players suing the WSOP would be the worst possible press for the company at this time. Even if Caesars were to win the legal battle, they would still lose in the court of public opinion.

Prove that Health and Safety Are Paramount By Delaying or Canceling 2020 WSOP

The WSOP is claiming that they are taking player and staff health and safety into consideration, yet they have yet to act. While there is technically “still time” before the start of the series, all signs point to this pandemic not ending anytime soon. Saying otherwise is being irresponsible.

The WSOP can easily be delayed until later in the year. While there may be things that need to be changed logistically, it can still happen if Caesars wants to make it happen. No amount of money is worth risking the health of players or staff. Delaying or canceling the 2020 WSOP is the only smart move at this point.

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