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.
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.
Recently updated on July 17th, 2019Just a few weeks after their grand opening, Encore Boston Harbor is already facing cheating charges. Several governing investigations, a torrent of criticism over why the businesses management had not addressed its employees’ allegations appropriately, and two heavy charges later. A $20 million fine by the Nevada Gaming Control Board […]
Recently updated on July 18th, 2019An accountant based in Singapore was embezzling over NZ$44.8 million (about US$30.2 million) over a period of 10 years. To fund his extreme gambling addiction was sentenced to 25 years and ten months in prison. The 65-year-old accountant’s name is Ewe Pang Kooi; he was born in Malaysia but was […]
Recently updated on August 18th, 2021In short, full-pay video poker is any variant of the gaming machine with the highest possible payout percentage. In many cases, this is the 9/6 version, where the maximum coins are paid out for the winning hands. Comparatively, the 8/5 version increases the house edge by removing one coin from […]
Recently updated on October 1st, 2018A Perth banker has been sentenced to five years and six months’ jail time for stealing AU$3.7 million (NZ$4.04 million). Daniel Petkov, a 37-year-old bank manager, was sentenced this week in District Court. Petkov was allegedly suffering from ‘an undiagnosed bipolar disorder’ when he stole the money. According to reports, […]
Recently updated on August 21st, 2019Gambling online has become more favored in New Zealand, according to reports. The people who have been against gambling said that the recent government has been concentrating on governing the industry. Not a lot of energy has been spent on providing people with the utmost protection against web-based gambling harm. […]
