Media Guidelines

PokerStars Live (“we”/ “us”/ “our”) welcomes all representatives from media outlets (“Media Representatives”) to its PokerStars Live* events (“Events”) and looks forward to helping with all media requests as may be required.

Our goal is to ensure that our Events run smoothly for poker players, the casinos, our staff and all attending Media Representatives. Please make sure that you read through and abide by the following media guidelines (“Guidelines”) to assist us with the effective running of the Events. Any breach of these Guidelines may result in the revocation of media accreditation for Media Representatives either for a particular Event and/or future Events.

Please note that the submission of an online application for media accreditation to attend an Event (“Media Pass”) does not automatically guarantee that such application will be approved and/or granted. Each applicant will receive a response email from press@pokerstarslive.net, to confirm whether or not the application for the Media Pass is successful. Without exception, Media Passes will only be issued pursuant to written approval from us and we reserve the right to limit the number of Media Passes that may be issued to Media Representatives from any one media outlet.

1. Media Representatives who apply for Media Passes must abide by all applicable statutory requirements that may apply in relation to their attendance at any Event. Statutory requirements will include but not be limited to a minimum age requirement, together with any additional local requirements or restrictions that may apply. Where an application is made for a Media Pass, it must only be used by Media Representatives of a media outlet whose primary objective is to report on activities taking place at an Event.
2. Media Passes will only be issued to employees of and contractors for recognised media outlets, including poker media outlets, mainstream newspapers and magazines, bloggers, licensed broadcasters (television and radio) and national news service organisations.
3. Media Passes will not be issued to non-editorial staff attending Events for marketing purposes, such as but not limited to representatives from public relations firms, marketing/sales/advertising agencies or poker management or business related services.
4. Applications for Media Passes must be made by emailing press@pokerstarslive.net, ensuring that all relevant fields of the application form are completed, including but not limited to name, organisation, full contact details and plans for media coverage. It is advised that applications for Media Passes should be submitted well in advance and no travel arrangements should be made to attend an Event until written notification is received from us confirming that the Media Pass application has been approved. No Media Representative will be granted entry to an Event without a Media Pass.
5. First-time applicants from any media outlet as well as all freelance journalists must provide us with such documentation as we may reasonably request in order for us to assess the application as well as to confirm that the applicant is from a recognised media outlet.
6. The number of Media Passes that can be granted to any one media outlet will vary depending on the Event and/or the venue where the Event will be held. This is typically a result of venue capacity and we reserve the right to appropriately manage the facilities made available to media outlets. All requests for interviews with sponsored players should be pre-arranged through press@pokerstarslive.net wherever possible. For any interviews with players while at the Event, you will need to contact one of our PR representatives while at the Event venue and/or via email at press@pokerstarslive.net, who will arrange a suitable time and place for the interview to take place.
7. Media Passes are non-transferable. If, for any reason, you need to change personnel before or during an event, please contact press@pokerstarslive.net as soon as possible.

1. The media pass should be worn prominently at all times and be presented for inspection as and when requested by any of our authorised representatives and/or the Event venue.
2. Media Representatives with Media Passes are prohibited from playing in the main event of any PokerStars Live tour stop or live room. In addition, Media Representatives are not permitted to report on any side event in which he/she has played or intends to play while at an Event.
3. It is prohibited for a Media Representative with a Media Pass to have any stake (financial or otherwise) in the outcome of an Event. This includes purchasing shares or equity in any individual player or sponsored team in any way. This prohibition includes any type of fantasy game that has a financial consideration.
4. The only language that may be spoken in the tournament area for an Event is the official tournament language (s) for that particular Event.
5. It is essential for Media Representatives to respect the players and the integrity of all Events. This includes, but is not limited to:
   • Respecting the right of a player to have a reasonable amount of personal space while playing (i.e. do not stand too close);
   • Respecting the right of a player to maintain the privacy of their hole cards;
   • Respecting the integrity of the Event by not touching chips, sitting at empty seats at tournament tables, or discussing any action at the table – either with players at the table or within earshot of players at the table;
   • Respecting players’ decisions so that they are not verbally judged at the table by observers; and
   • Respecting the emotional engagement of players by not visibly or audibly “celebrating” if a particular player wins a pot.

1. In the tournament area for the Events, it is essential that the Tournament Director, floor staff, PokerStars Live staff, PokerStars Blog staff, PokerStars-affiliated film crew and casino staff are able to carry out their respective duties unhindered at all times.
2. Please follow all directions of all tournament staff or our representatives.
3. All Media Representatives should leave the tournament area when the floor staff and/or players are bagging chips.
4. If asked to leave a particular area by one of our authorised representatives and/or a representative of the Event venue, Media Representatives should do so politely. Anybody who refuses to follow instructions risks losing their Media Pass for the entire Event and for possible future Events.
5. During the later stages of a tournament, when a small number of tables remain, Media Representatives will be asked to leave the cordoned-off area around the tables. When the playing area is cleared, tournament staff will endeavour to provide a separate, cordoned-off media area but this is not guaranteed.
6. Media are asked to keep a reasonable distance away from the TV crew. This is a safety precaution as the equipment used is heavy and could cause injury.
7. If a particular shot is needed, Media Representatives should talk to the producer or floor manager and let them know what they require. They can often move a cameraman/sound engineer out of the way.

1. At all Events there will be designated photographers taking photos of the tournaments. Images taken from the approved photographers are available for use by emailing press@pokerstarslive.net.
2. In some venues, photography is not allowed anywhere outside the tournament area; anyone found infringing casino regulations in this regard will have their Media Pass taken away for the entire Event and possible future Events. Photographers must respect the privacy of casino clients who are not participating directly in the Event.
3. Flash photography is prohibited during tournament play and on the feature table.

1. In some venues filming is not allowed anywhere outside the tournament area and any Media Representative found infringing upon casino regulations will have their Media Pass revoked. Videographers need to respect the privacy of casino clients who are not participating directly in the Event.
2. Live-streaming any active PokerStars Live tournament table is strictly prohibited. Media Representatives may live stream in the general tournament area but ONLY with prior written permission by emailing press@pokerstarslive.net. Any Media Representative wishing to use live streaming services must seek written permission - in advance and include full details of such intentions or plans when applying for online media accreditation in order to receive a Media Pass.
3. Filming of the TV table is strictly prohibited during tournament action, other than by the designated PokerStars Live film crew. Media Representatives can request to film the TV table while poker play is not taking place by emailing press@pokerstarslive.net with the specific requirements.

1. We will endeavour to provide media facilities, including a press room equipped with wireless or cable internet access at the Events (“Press Room”). Only Media Representatives with Media Passes will be allowed access to the Press Room and/or any other media facilities.
2. If a Press Room is at full capacity, it may become necessary to restrict access to the Press Room and/or any other media facilities.
3. Media Representatives should respect the fact that shared Press Room facilities are for work purposes only. Please do not use bandwidth for any non-essential or non-work activities.
4. For security purposes and due to other considerations, Media Representatives – are asked not to invite players, colleagues or friends into the Press Room.
5. No responsibility will be taken for any personal items or work equipment left in the Press Room and/or tournament area.
6. Please respect any venue regulations regarding access e.g. casino dress codes, food/drink bans while attending any Event.

1. We require that all Media Representatives provide the relevant Event sponsor (as we may request) prominent recognition and/or mentions in their coverage of the Event. This requires Media Representatives to clearly credit the Event sponsor in the first mention of the Event, in the case of written articles, or in the case of video coverage, this would include prominently mentioning the sponsor during the video.  This also includes any reports that use information, photos or videos supplied by PokerStars Live, even if journalists are not accredited and/or are not attending the Event.
2. For all reporting of Events, Media Representatives must adhere to and abide by trademark policies with regards to any and all use of the Event sponsor logo. Contact press@pokerstarslive.net for more details.
3. When an Event is being broadcast live on a delay (cards-up**), Media Representatives must follow the delay with their live reporting of the Event. This is to keep to the same schedule as broadcasters receiving and transmitting the feed. This delay applies to all/any live reporting, blogs, social media posts and live streaming platforms.

1. All Media Representatives, regardless of status, are subject to the PokerStars Live Event Security Policy when attending Events. The details of the policy can be found here.

1. Any Media Representative that fails to comply with any provision of these Guidelines or fails to comply with a request from a member of our staff or Event venue representative will have their Media Pass revoked for the duration of the Event and risks being banned from future Events.
2. Should you have any queries with regards to the media accreditation or media requirements, please email press@pokerstarslive.net.

*PokerStars Live is the brand name for the live poker events, such as but not limited to the “PokerStars Championship”, and/or the “PokerStars Festival”.

**Delayed broadcast with players’ hole cards displayed on screen.