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 February 25th, 2019Join a thrilling expedition through time with Realtime Gaming (RTG)’s new online pokie game – Cubee. Go on an exciting adventure as Cubee leaps through time warps, passes the Stone Age all the way to the era of Pirates and finally to the Viking age. During your adventure in this […]
Recently updated on August 7th, 2018Most Kiwi players would expect to at least double their money with a Royal Flush side bet at a poker table. One lucky SkyCity player, however, turned NZ$35 into NZ$1.1 million with a progressive jackpot hand. The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, won on a single hand of […]
Recently updated on October 29th, 2018While it was billed as ‘the largest jackpot in US history’, last week’s win fell a little short of the estimated US$1.6 billion (NZ$2.45 billion). However, the lucky US Mega Millions winner probably won’t be complaining. The winning numbers and ticket have been traced to South Carolina, where winners can […]
Recently updated on December 14th, 2021Christmas Countdown bonuses are the best way to earn extra cash this festive season from sites like Wild Card City, King Johnnie, and Jackpot Jill. We’ve rounded up the best Christmas casino bonuses below to help you count down to the most wonderful time of year. These exclusive offers include […]
Recently updated on January 29th, 2019Gamblers in Victoria, Australia, have lost a record amount of money playing pokies in 2018. This has caused quite a controversy and has led to anti-gambling groups calling for reform. Figures published by the Victorian Commission for Liquor and Gambling Regulation revealed their six-monthly venue loss data. This revealed that […]
