LAST POKER TOUR SAYS PARTOUCHE


Friday September 7. 2012 : LAST POKER TOUR SAYS PARTOUCHE (Update)
 
Marketing director will present resignation
 
The French gambling group Partouche who have been the centre of a row over its guaranteed prize pool in the Partouche Poker Tour has said this will be the last.
 
In the growing public relations debacle, Jean-Jacques Ichai, Partouche's marketing director has said he will tender his resignation following an address made by Patrick Partouche to poker players in Cannes, France which categorically stated that the company had never advertised or promised a Euro 5 Million guarantee.  The address was swiftly contradicted by savvy TwoPlusTwo posters who offered to provide evidence.
 
Ichai said in a statement: "I didn't have the memory of my TV ITW or that I announced the guarantee of this tournament. My President, Mr. Patrick Partouche took the floor that day without the knowledge of this video. I would like to apologize especially towards him, which has been consistent in his speech, and the team of the Partouche Poker Tour as well as to all the players."
 
Partouche said in his address: "I have heard, I have seen and I have been told that what Groupe Partouche was doing was not sufficient, almost dishonest.  The Partouche Poker Tour bears my name and my family's name. After 40 years in this business, reading ‘Partouche is a liar, Partouche is a cheater,' this I cannot accept, neither can my teams.
 
"That is why I am announcing to you that you are playing the last edition of Partouche Poker Tour. The Partouche will stop Sunday night. We are sailing toward new horizons, we hope that other operators will put as much energy, as much willpower, and as much love to ensure that this game goes on and remains as much loved and adored from all fanatics which I'm a part of, as I believe a lot of people here know fully well."