TW, I had time to listen to the PFA podcast this afternoon.
A couple notes: the Finale is a slot tournament with approx. 518 entrants. Most are actually NOT Diamond or Seven Stars players, but won their way through free local CET slot tournaments or the 'play by TR' app.
Harrah's AC Special Events went ahead and still held the dinner and casino play drawing for about 200 entrants (and families) who made it that night. The casino play drawing prize pool was doubled to $20,000 (30 names were drawn). I was lucky enough to win $500 in Reel Rewards.
They also reimbursed in cash anyone who went over the $1,100 limit and had paid the overage out-of-pocket. One couple I overheard got a $100 reimbursement for their Southwest Airlines flight.