Poker has definitely taken the back seat right now due to the pandemic. that is because poker is a social game.

On an ordinary table, you would have 9 players sitting side by side competing with each other. but even as they compete. the social aspect of poker will be there. players would take to each other or other friends. that is how sociable poker is.

This is why poker is not the priority of the casinos but it could be vital to its growth in the near future. 

Why Asian casinos are not supportive of the poker industry

Asian casinos are not supportive of the poker industry. There are 4 international casinos in Manila and only 2 have poker rooms.

That speaks volumes. but the question is why?

The money wheel earns more than the whole poker room. 

Poker rooms earn their income from the rake. 

Most casino games operate differently. When a player plays other casino games example baccarat. If you bet and you win or lose, it is the casino that pays or accepts it. 

Poker is different as the players are competing with other players. The casinos are only charging a service fee which is called the rake.

All games in the casinos will earn more than the whole poker rooms including the money wheel. That is because casinos have an edge on all other games except poker.

Poker tables eat more space.

A poker table is big. it can fit 6 slots machines easily.

The same space can fit more baccarat tables than poker tables. 

So why would poker become vital

Because poker has a market. It will always have a following. What other casino game can you hold regularly that would attract a good number of foreign players to a country?

Put the poker room in the worst part of the casino and players will still look for it.

The biggest poker tournament in the world started because they needed something good that would attract people to a hot sizzling dessert in the summertime. But Poker players will still travel.

Poker can also be more marketed freely. Ask a baccarat player who just won a baccarat tournament somewhere in the east. 99% would not know the answer.

But poker players?

They follow the news, they eat this sort of thing. They may be sleeping now but one day they will come back.

New legends are also coming in.

Poker is the one casino game that could attract new players.

If some of the biggest tournaments in the world come to Asia. regardless of how some players view the country. they will come.

but for now, it must sleep.