Crown Melbourne Suspends Scheduling of 2021 Aussie Millions

Scheduling for the 2021 edition of the largest poker series in the southern hemisphere, the Aussie Millions, has been put on hold by its host casino, Crown Casino Melbourne, due to Covid-19 pandemic concerns. The update came from Crown Melbourne via its online home page as well as its social-media accounts, and leaves in limbo the fate of a series that’s taken place every year since 1998.

“Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic,” the update declared, “Crown Melbourne wishes to advise that the scheduling of the 2021 Aussie Millions Poker Tournament and other poker events due to take place in 2021 will be placed on hold until further notice.

“The health and safety of our community - including our employees, guests and players - is Crown Melbourne’s number one priority. As the COVID-19 situation evolves, so too will Crown’s response, ensuring we remain in line with government mandates and expert health advice.” The brief update concluded by noting the casino will continue to work with Victorian government and health officials to determine “when and if” such a large gathering as the Aussie Millions will be safe to run.

The anticipated delay (or possible cancellation) of the 2021 Aussie Millions comes despite Australia being virtually free of the ravages of the coronavirus outbreaks that have ravaged most of the rest of the globe. The country as a whole has reported only about ten new cases a day on average for the past several weeks, and no one in the country has died from the coronavirus since October 28.

However, that success was achieved only through strict social-distancing measures, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone entering the country. Since the Aussie Millions draws a high percentage of its entrants in its main event, high-roller and super-high-roller tourneys from other countries, those glamour events in particular are likely to be impacted by the ongoing restrictions. Few international players are likely to be willing to travel to Australia, wait out a quarantine period, and then participate in what would likely be a severely reduced field anyway.