Gordon Vayo Sues PokerStars over Winnings
Recently updated on May 14th, 2018
Whenever a famous poker player wins in a tournament, you’d expect payouts to be a breeze. However, for Gordon Vayo, this was not the case with PokerStars after their Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) tournament. The professional player won an online game of No Limit Hold’em with a buy-in of US$1050 (±NZ$1511), but hasn’t received his winnings, worth nearly US$700 000 (±NZ$1.07 million). This is because the Canadian gambling operator claims that he was playing illegally in the US. These claims will now be reviewed in court.
According to Gordon Vayo, he had provided proof that he had been playing in Canada at the time. What’s more, his lawsuit accuses the poker operator of ‘fraud and deceit’ along with ‘false advertising’. This is because PokerStars used his name to advertise further events after freezing his account on their site. Vayo was then accused of not being the legitimate winner despite their use of his win.

VPN Mishap for Gordon Vayo
Part of Vayo’s troubles comes from a specific type of network connection. Virtual private networks, or VPNs, can sometimes be used to make it seem that players are taking part in a tournament from a specific location. According to PokerStars, Gordon Vayo used VPNs to make it look like he was playing in Canada. Currently, the United States has banned online gambling in all states except for New Jersey.
PokerStars took measures after they found that Vayo had been playing from the US and Canada. While they are within their right to investigate, he did provide proof that he’d been in Canada. If Gordon Vayo had been playing from another US state, he could face jail time. However, the fact that PokerStars is only now coming forward with their claims is a little suspect. After all, the first prize for that SCOOP event was worth US$692 000 (±NZ$995 867).
Lawsuit could End US Plan for PokerStars
This will not be the first time that PokerStars has been accused of shady business practices. In 2011, the American Department of Justice shut down the site. This was after they had been caught offering services to US citizens. They will likely deny all wrongdoing to avoid a similar situation. Either way, Gordon Vayo will be suing for ‘punitive and exemplary damages’ against PokerStars.
Keep visiting New Zealand Casinos for more poker and gambling news.
Published by Taralynn May 14, 2018 Categorie(s): Big Wins, Bonus Codes, High Payouts, Latest News, New Zealand, North Island, Promotions, South Island
About the Author

Taralynn Engels is a seasoned casino news writer with a passion for keeping her readers up-to-date with the latest happenings in the gambling industry. With over five years of professional writing experience, Taralynn has developed a deep understanding of the casino industry and a knack for delivering engaging and informative content. Aside from her in-depth knowledge of the casino industry, Taralynn possesses excellent writing skills that allow her to craft captivating narratives that keep readers hooked until the last word. Her ability to simplify complex concepts and present them in an accessible manner guarantees that her articles are enjoyed by both seasoned casino enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
More Posts from Taralynn.
Related Posts
Published by Taralynn October 1, 2021 Categorie(s): Big Wins, Latest News, New Zealand, North Island, South Island
Recently updated on October 1st, 2021Every lottery draw is random, so why not choose your ticket numbers randomly with quick picks? When you buy a lotto ticket, you can choose to Quick Pick or use your numbers. There’s no right or wrong choice, but it can improve your odds if you use one method over […]
Published by Taralynn August 25, 2022 Categorie(s): Big Wins, Latest News, New Zealand, North Island, South Island
Recently updated on August 25th, 2022Playing keno is a bad bet if you’re planning on winning large sums of money these days, but not for the reasons you think. Most online gambling sites offer the game to players because it’s good for their bottom line, just not yours. While it’s fun to play a few […]
Published by Taralynn June 18, 2021 Categorie(s): Big Wins, Latest News, New Zealand, North Island, South Island
Recently updated on June 18th, 2021Simply put, you can cheat at video poker with mixed results, but you’ll need to dedicate some time to it. While winning more from hacking video poker might seem tempting, it takes a lot of effort to accomplish. Still, it’s possible to game the system when you play video poker, […]
Published by Taralynn February 14, 2018 Categorie(s): Big Wins, Latest News, New Zealand, North Island, South Island
Recently updated on February 14th, 2018The World Health Organisation (WHO) is considering classifying gaming addiction as a mental disorder. However, there is no exact research to back up the possible classification. What’s more, a draft by WHO lists criteria used to identify gambling addiction as a way to identify a gaming disorder. This approach could […]
Published by Taralynn September 26, 2018 Categorie(s): Latest News, New Zealand, North Island, South Island
Recently updated on September 26th, 2018While the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has been cracking down on gambling operators, one market remains saturated. According to new figures, sports books have spent millions in sponsorships for English Premier League (EPL) kits. This brings bookies to a global stage, as the EPL is one of the most popular […]