A decision has been made for a China online poker ban which will hurt the industry throughout Asia and beyond, says Hong Kong Poker Players Association managing director Stephen Lai. According to Macau-based Inside Asian Gaming, as of June 1 online poker and the promotion of the game via all social media channels will be banned.

Poker has experienced a rapid rise in China despite the fact people are unable to play for money and Lai said the decision to ban it altogether would have a negative impact on places such as Macau, Manila and South Korea’s Jeju island.

“It was growing very fast, now it is going to be more difficult for operators in Asia to organize poker events because Chinese players make up over half of the field,” he said. “If you can’t promote those events on social media, Chinese players won’t know they are on so they won’t go.

“It is also a blow for the Asian poker community because Chinese social media can no longer cover poker.” More on the China online poker ban at South China Morning Post