Berlin Robbers Steal from EPT

If you once thought of poker as a safe activity, you might want to think again.

Over the weekend a gang of robbers with masks and guns attacked the European Poker Tour at the Grand Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Berlin. They escaped with €1 million (about $1.3 million), according to police, and injured several players.

According to police, videos recorded at the scene showed that there was a brief panic when the robbers arrived, people quickly scattered, and some desks were toppled.

There were nearly 1,000 players participating in the poker tournament, and Berlin’s Tageszeitung newspaper reported in its online version that the robbers carried assault rifles and grenades in their hands. Apparently the robbers asked or ordered security staff to stand still while four robbers stormed the hotel and two others stayed on the lookout.

Some poker players were injured but not seriously. Police say their injuries probably occurred when they scattered from their tables and quickly tried to escape. A police investigation is underway, and police are asking that anyone who has video footage or photographs contact Berlin police right away.

TV Story along with video of the EPT Berlin Casino Robbers: