PokerStars.net's Second Annual Latin American Poker Tour canceled its stop in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, after the tournament had begun, due to an indefinite suspension served on one of the tour's local partners, the company said on Monday.
The tournament was scheduled for Dec. 5-7 at the Marival Resort and Suites in Nuevo Vallarta, but officials were forced to halt play in the ninth round on Day 1 of the tournament, according to media reports.
According to the tour, it has cooperated fully with the requirements outlined by the Mexican government.
"LAPT's partner in Mexico obtained a formal ruling from the Mexican Ministry of the Interior allowing the event to take place," PokerStars said in a prepared statement. "As the LAPT complied with every rule stipulated by the Code of the Mexican Federal Law of Games and Raffles, the reasons for suspension are being reviewed by lawyers of all parties."
Nuevo Vallarta was the second stop for the second annual tour, which kicked off Nov. 2 in San Jose, Costa Rica. However, PokerStars said that they will be offering a free roll on their site to the 89 remaining players who still had chips when the event was suspended. Starting with the same number of chips, the customers will play down to the final table. The final nine will then be flown to the Latin American Poker Tour Vina del Mar in Chile, where they will finish the tournament live on a televised table.
PokerStars could not be reached for comment today.