A Look into Poker's Cheating Crisis: Who's Watching Our Backs?
Emphasize the Importance of Preserving Poker's Integrity: A Call for Top Priority in Industry Development
You might've heard of Ali Imsirovic, the poker player who got the boot from two tournaments due to his past indiscretions. Last week, he was kicked out from the RunGood Poker Series $1,200 Main Event at bestbet Jacksonville. This comes just a few months after being booted from the Champions Club Winter Poker Open Main Event in Houston, Texas. But why was the notorious multi-accounter, ghoster, and all-around sketchy character allowed to register in the first place? Is he worth welcoming back? Let's dive into the murky world of poker integrity.
Get Your Cheaters in Check - Now!
The poker world is a Wild West when it comes to bad actors. Unlike other industries, there's no centralized blacklist that all tours and venues adhere to. Sure, some might have their own internal lists, or state-specific bans like the infamous Nevada Black Book, but a unified database is sorely lacking [1].
Enter the Poker Integrity Council (PIC). In the summer of 2022, GGPoker took the reins, assembling a team of prominent players like Jason Koon, Fedor Holz, and Andrew "LuckyChewy" Lichtenberger to tackle the issue of poker cheating head-on [1]. Their mission was clear: eliminate cheating in both online and live games.
👏 | Assuming he was ousted due to his admitted past cheating, kudos to @bestbet_jax expelling him from the @RGPokerSeries event in Florida.
Precedented set at @PokerGOStudio, @ChampionsClubTX followed & so does bestbet.
More venues against bad actors.https://t.co/pEYKQdRad3— Chad Holloway (@ChadAHolloway) May 2, 2025
While PIC had the backing of players, tours, and online sites alike, their impact remains questionable [1]. Koon parted ways with GGPoker, and the others have been quiet. It seems the PIC has failed to leave a lasting impression, despite nearly three years on the job.
Now that GGPoker owns the vastly popular World Series of Poker (WSOP), they have another shot to lead by example and crack down on poker's cheating problem. But will they? Will anyone?
Bestbet Jacksonville's Decision - Reactive or Proactive?
The controversy surrounding Imsirovic's removal from the tournament at bestbet Jacksonville boils down to two main points [1]. First, was the way the situation was handled, specifically the decision to disqualify him mid-tournament rather than preventing his registration in the first place. This move was compounded by the fact that Imsirovic had previously cashed at bestbet Jacksonville, including a tournament at the WPT bestbet Scramble in November 2021 and an event at the bestbet Jacksonville Winter Open in January 2022.
Second, there's the question of Imsirovic's treatment within the poker world. Should online cheating prevent him from playing live at an unrelated venue? Is he being singled out when there are other bad actors in the scene? Has he paid his dues and been properly punished? If not, what's a fair sentence?
I don't pretend to have all the answers, but I do have opinions on the matter.
We Need a Change - And We Need It Now
Poker's cheating woes extend far beyond Imsirovic. The industry needs to step up and take a stand against these bad actors. PokerGO set a precedent by asking Imsirovic and Jake Schindler to avoid their events, but they stood alone for three years in doing so [1]. Champions Club has since followed suit, and bestbet Jacksonville has done the same. It's time for more venues and tours to take a stand, ban bad actors, and put safeguards in place to prevent them from registering in the first place.
I am on the side of the customer.
I am prepared to offer benefit of doubt.
I will be scrupulously fair.
Unless... you are a proven cheat, and then I don't care.
Something unfair happened to a cheat?
The cheat got cheated?
I.
Don't.
Care.
Fuck cheats.
All of 'em.
Twice.— Kat Arnsby (@ThePokerBaffer) May 2, 2025
The poker community needs to unite and find a way to enforce punishments for those who've cheated, scammed, or taken advantage of the game. We can't let the likes of Imsirovic – or worse – damage the game we love. A unified, universal poker blacklist is essential to ensuring the integrity of the game [1].
Source: [1] - The Poker Integrity Council (PIC) and the ongoing cheating scandal in poker
A Word from the PokerNews PR & Media Manager, Joey Ingram
As a player and podcaster, I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in the poker world. Cheating is a real issue, and it's up to us as a community to hold ourselves accountable and demand better from the people in charge. If you don't want known cheaters in your events, speak up now [2]. Be proactive. Don't wait for the next scandal to hit the headlines. It's time to take a stand.
Source: [2] - Op-Ed by Joey Ingram on the importance of poker integrity and player responsibility
- The poker world lacks a unified blacklist, making it challenging to prevent notorious players like Ali Imsirovic, known for his indiscretions, from participating in events like the RunGood Poker Series and the Champions Club Winter Poker Open Main Event.
- Despite the Poker Integrity Council's mission to eliminate cheating in both online and live games, their impact has been questionable, leading to concerns about the council's effectiveness.
- Bestbet Jacksonville's decision to disqualify Ali Imsirovic mid-tournament instead of preventing his registration raises questions about the proactiveness of the venue and their approach to dealing with known liabilities.
- The poker community must take action against cheating, as the industry continues to grapple with the issue, and bad actors pose a threat to the integrity of the game and the overall player experience.
- Joey Ingram, a player and podcaster, urges the poker community to be proactive in holding themselves and the decision-makers accountable, addressing the issue of cheating, and demanding better standards across the board.
