OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – CANCELLATION OF THE SPM EVENT IN JUNE 2025 DUE TO A STRIKE BY HIT STAFF

Following formal communication received from the Management of Perla Resort & Casino, Poker Skill Events informs that the strike proclaimed by the HIT group staff will have direct effects on the operations of the host facility. In particular, gaming activities, services related to the logistical management of events, and all those essential supports for the correct conduct of the tournament will be suspended.

In the note received, it is highlighted that the start of the collective abstention, scheduled for Friday 13 June at 17:00, coincides with the central phases of the SPM event. The same internal sources confirm that the union negotiations are in a stalemate phase, with no certain forecasts on a possible resolution in the short term. These circumstances do not allow us, in any way, to assure members that the event will be held in adequate conditions of reliability and operational continuity.

With great regret and a sense of responsibility, Poker Skill Events announces the official cancellation of the SPM – Skill Poker Master event, scheduled for June 11-16, 2025 at the Perla Resort & Casino in Nova Gorica (Slovenia).

The decision, which was far from desired, was taken following the announcement by the host of the proclaimed strike of Hit Casinos staff, scheduled to begin on Friday 13 June at 17:00. This strike, called by the SIDS and VRBA unions, involves the entire operational sector and makes it impossible to guarantee the opening and regular operation of the casino and the logistical services related to the event.

Despite our constant commitment and initial reassurances, the instability of the union situation prevents us from guaranteeing suitable conditions for the holding of an international tournament such as the SPM, which for numbers, reputation and value requires extremely high operating standards.

IMPOSSIBILITY TO CONFIRM THE NOVA GORICA OFFICE DUE TO OPERATIONAL DISPOSAL

In light of the developments and in the absence of certainty regarding the ongoing negotiations between the workers and the management of the HIT Group, the organizational, logistical and contractual conditions for rescheduling the event at the originally designated location in Nova Gorica do not currently exist.

The union uncertainty, the lack of definition of a stable calendar and the total unpredictability of the times for resolving the dispute make any hypothesis of a new short-term scheduling impracticable. We are aware that many hoped for a postponement or a reconfirmation on another date, but this, in the absence of clear and guaranteed conditions, would mean further compromising the reliability of the entire project.

Poker Skill Events, respecting its history and the relationship built with players, has chosen not to venture into potentially unsustainable scenarios, placing the need to offer concrete, responsible programming protected from any operational risk before the desire to insist on a prestigious venue.

A new cancellation would be unsustainable for us, but above all for all the participants who have already invested time, trust and money in this experience.

A DEEP DAMAGE TO THE WHOLE SPM PROJECT

The suspension of the June edition represents a huge blow for Poker Skill Events, not only from an economic point of view but also from a strategic and planning one. The entire organizational machine had already been fully operational for months and the event had reached significant goals, including the sold out of the affiliated hotel facilities (Hotel Perla, Lipa, Sabotin and Park) and an active waiting list for the last entries.

Over 30 professional figures including graphic designers, booking operators, logistics managers, bloggers, journalists, media partners and agents in Italy and Europe were already involved in the project. It is a complex network of collaborations that today is abruptly interrupted, putting at risk the operational and relational continuity of the SPM circuit.

Poker Skill Events has already incurred a huge amount of upfront costs, including logistics, travel, graphics, multimedia, promotional materials and advertising campaigns, both online and offline. This financial exposure, borne entirely by the organization, cannot be recovered in any way in the event of cancellation.

All this contributes to generating a huge loss, which seriously jeopardizes the sustainability of the SPM project, built over years of commitment, seriousness and credibility. Despite everything, the goal of Poker Skill Events remains to protect its players and partners, avoiding making them bear the impact of the critical issues suffered.

In light of the situation that has arisen, Poker Skill Events has entrusted the documentation relating to the cancellation and the communications received to its legal division, which is already evaluating every possible action in contractual and civil matters. The intent, however, is not to fuel conflicts, but rather to safeguard the continuity and reputation of the organization, also towards the third-party operators involved and the community of players who have always recognized our correctness, transparency and solidity.

In light of the situation that has arisen, Poker Skill Events has entrusted the documentation relating to the cancellation and the communications received to its legal division, which is already evaluating all possible actions in contractual and civil courts.

The intent, however, is not to fuel conflicts, but rather to safeguard the continuity and reputation of the organization, also towards the third-party operators involved and the community of players who have always recognized our correctness, transparency and solidity.

REFUND POLICY

Poker Skill Events has set up a full refund plan, faithful to the principles of transparency and responsibility. We offer two options for the participant to choose from, valid for all registrations and reservations made through our channels:

1. Tournament Registration

2. Full monetary refund of the amount paid for the registration, previously made by bank transfer to the Perla Poker Room.

3. Full voucher plus 10 percent bonus in hotel voucher, valid for the SPM – Card Casino Šamorín event (August 25 – September 1, 2025).

4. Hotel reservations

Payments already made will be fully refunded:

• Reservations at Hotel Perla, Sabotin, Lipa and Park made through Poker Skill Events;

• Both deposits and total amounts already paid;

• With proof of bank transfer or documentary confirmation/WhatsApp.

Here too, you can opt for conversion into a hotel voucher for the event in Slovakia.

Reservations through external portals will not be refundable directly, but we will provide official cancellation letters to obtain exemption from penalties.

EXTRAORDINARY FUND FOR TRAINS AND FLIGHTS

Aware of the exceptional nature of the situation and with a sense of responsibility towards our participants, Poker Skill Events has activated an extraordinary fund to cover, partially or totally, travel costs, including train and flight tickets.

Although we are aware that the reimbursement of personal travel expenses in the context of an external strike is not a common practice in the industry, Poker Skill Events has chosen to intervene with responsibility and sensitivity towards its players. This extraordinary fund represents a further effort, made possible despite the significant economic exposure already incurred for the organization of the event. We do not simply offer compensation, but we reaffirm with facts a principle that is fundamental for us: protecting the community that has chosen us, preventing it from being penalized for situations over which it has no control.

• Non-refundable flight or train tickets;

• Purchased before June 5, 2025;

• Registered to participants regularly registered for the tournament.

Mode:

• Submit proof of purchase and refund denial documentation;

• Requests must be received no later than July 5, 2025. After this date, it will no longer be possible to access the extraordinary fund for flights and trains;

• The amount will be converted into a hotel voucher (up to 200 euros), which can be used for SPM – Card Casino Šamorín.

  
  

NEW STAGE: SPM – CARD CASINO ŠAMORÍN

The next official SPM event will be held at Card Casino in Šamorín (Bratislava, Slovakia):

• From August 25th to September 1st 2025

• 500,000 Euro Guaranteed – Main Event

• Buy-in: 310 + 40 euros

• Starting stack: 50,000

• Blinds: 40/45/50/60 minutes

All vouchers generated will be automatically valid for this stage, with booking priority, extra bonuses and free credits.

DEDICATED ASSISTANCE

For any need, clarification or personalized request:

• Phone/WhatsApp: +39 338 3661484

NOTE FROM THE POKER SKILL EVENTS MANAGEMENT

This cancellation is not just a cancelled event. It is a fracture in a professional path built with commitment, passion and a community of players who chose and supported us. For this reason, we feel doubly affected, but we do not want to fail in the values that distinguish us.

Even in the most difficult moments, we will continue to put our players at the centre and seek concrete solutions to ensure that the effects of our losses do not fall on others.

We will continue to invest all our resources to ensure players have an experience that lives up to expectations. This difficult moment will not stop the SPM project, but will strengthen its foundations. Our promise is to return stronger, faithful to the principles of seriousness and respect that have always guided us.

We hope to see you again in Šamorín, ready to share a new, important experience in the name of passion for poker and mutual trust.

Poker Skill Events – General Management Nova Gorica, 6 June 2025