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Attorney for Gordon Vayo says Class Action Lawsuit possible against PokerStars
Tags: Gordon Vayo, PokerStars.
Posted on 11 May 2018 by "T".

A high-stakes class action lawsuit is looming on the world of online poker, and it's about 2016 WSOP main event runner-up Gordon Vayo versus PokerStars, the world's top online poker website. Vayo's lawyer Gregory Fayer says the suit eventually could involve more plaintiffs.

Earlier this month, on May 2, 2018, Gordon Vayo filed a civil complaint against the giant poker site's operational business entity, Rational Entertainment Enterprises Limited (REEL), in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, accusing them of fraud for withholding payment of $692,460, his tournament prize that he won on May 2017. In fact, his achievement on that tournament was no secret, as it's even featured on the PokerStars blog site.

According to the suit, PokerStars believed that Vayo played the tournament from inside the United States, which has been forbidden since U.S. authorities cracked down on online poker in April 2011 (Black Friday). Vayo's 29-page lawsuit states that PokerStars, "with impunity" confiscates winnings after conducting "sham investigations(s)" into the whereabouts of a player only after they have won a lot of money. He claims that this has also happened to other online poker players.

Vayo claims he was in Canada the whole time he was playing in the tournament. Canada is the place where he is a registered player on the site, and he contests that PokerStars is unable to prove that he wasn't.

PokerStars say the "investigation into this particular matter is ongoing." Vayo's lawsuit claims that on April 7, 2018, PokerStars informed him that the investigation into his location during the tournament was over and that he was not allowed to cash out the money. On May 2, Vayo filed a legal action against them.

In its defense, PokerStars say it has "a duty to protect the integrity of the game".

To boost his allegations, Vayo says an unnamed "Player A" had the same problem with around a $140,000 tournament win, but PokerStars "finally relented" and eventually cashed him/her out.

Attorney Fayer said the case is just getting started, and depending on the results of the discovery stage, there is a high possibility of a class action lawsuit. He said, "We will certainly monitor the situation to determine whether a class action might be appropriate. At this point we do not want to add anything beyond what we have stated in our complaint. However, we are monitoring the situation and look forward to the discovery phase of the case when the extent of PokerStars conduct will be brought to light."

REEL has 21 days to respond to this complaint. Failure to respond could result in a summary judgment in Vayo's favor.

Note: More updates to follow as the story unfolds..

Source:
http://www.flushdraw.net/news/gordon-vayo-lawsuit-v-pokerstars-to-highlight-vpn-jurisdiction-issues/
https://www.pokerstars.com/en/blog/online/scoop/2017/scoop-2017-gordon-hollayoboy-vayo-outlas-166515.shtml

 

 

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22 comments on "Attorney for Gordon Vayo says Class Action Lawsuit possible against PokerStars"


 braulio4611/05/2018 07:06:02 GMT
aha , when vayo are on the right side and won and ps dont pay him its a shame to PS.
but ps. let see whats the end of the story Smile
 shokaku11/05/2018 07:37:52 GMT
Promised to get interesting, if it isn't settled out of court. Class Action Lawsuit can involve a lot of money, and that would hurt even a big company. But of cause it could seriously backfire, if Stars would be able to prove he played from inside the US.
 dule-vu11/05/2018 09:47:48 GMT
we already have thread with this news and its just few rows belove yours!we dont need to open same thread again!bowie1984 open that thread two days ago!
 StheP11/05/2018 10:01:29 GMT
Posted by dule-vu:
we already have thread with this news and its just few rows belove yours!we dont need to open same thread again!bowie1984 open that thread two days ago!

its not same thread... and this is news from BRM O.o
 CALICUL11/05/2018 16:49:11 GMT
I read a few years ago about some players who sued the old owner of Pokerstars and his son. Players have received the money and something extra. In court they understood not to make those details public. Probably Amaya Group was sued in court by other players where he lost. This poker room produces a lot of money. Should allow players to win and not get into all sorts of scandals to further ruin their reputation.
 Mober11/05/2018 20:22:46 GMT
What a lawyer would say.
Even if the know you dont stand a chance, they are going to say,
that it can be done, to take your money.
Win or lose they are getting paid after all
But still, if he played from inside USA, he is not going to get anything.
 pajalnick11/05/2018 20:52:57 GMT
Amaya Group does not know how to withdraw money from the players .... and what this person says seems to me the absolute truth ... with great gains Amaya Group is trying to find a reason not to pay the winnings and this of course for their image a big drop .. .. but I have not played there for a long time, so I do not care
 godoy11/05/2018 21:59:10 GMT
I always wonder if this could happen and I always see it happening a player always loses and loses and it does not matter where he is or if his account is with some more restriction and only he ganahr a high amount and here comes these stories that the account is not legible will be this truth or just another form of coup given by the great idea to not pay the player
 Tony_MON7ANA12/05/2018 03:14:29 GMT
Gordon Vayo is claiming that he played this particular SCOOP tournament when he was in Canada, but he didn't state that he had never attempted to log into his PokerStars account and played real money games when he was physically situated inside the United States.
Exactly when did he change the registered country of his account?
 bowie198412/05/2018 13:17:02 GMT
Maybe they are just salty because he did not agree to become PS team member pro, so this was the only way to get him on board. Showing some tough love will makes wonderz sometimes. Who knows at this point, I could beleive all sorts of conspirwcy theories involving PS.
 ligador3712/05/2018 16:17:18 GMT
I hope the court will give him the reason and can take some money from this group. They should pay not to get into bigger problems (although in reality they should be crumbs for PS).
The problem happens once you win, but why do not they do something to prevent you from playing from the USA? That is to say, as long as one loses, they have no problem in playing from the USA, but if they win, they do their best not to pay.
 Mober12/05/2018 21:12:50 GMT
WE will get more news on this for sure in the near future.
I want to see what evidence both sides will provide in court.
Some times though it takes too long for the trial to begin, after the lawsuit has been
filed.
 StheP12/05/2018 21:26:46 GMT
Posted by ligador37:
I hope the court will give him the reason and can take some money from this group. They should pay not to get into bigger problems (although in reality they should be crumbs for PS).
The problem happens once you win, but why do not they do something to prevent you from playing from the USA? That is to say, as long as one loses, they have no problem in playing from the USA, but if they win, they do their best not to pay.

exactly... thats why i said... pay him his money and than ban him if you have evidence that he played from USA...
 demodawggy13/05/2018 06:40:54 GMT
... Big Smile< ....Does that mean a whole bunch of folks are sueing pokerstars for having NO "CLASS"...??? lol... Let's all jump on the bandwagon and see what we can get out of the deal... Big Smile Thumbs Up Dollar

... Big Smile< ...Right now I am waiting for my $25 Loblaw's Canada gift card for the overpriced bread that Loblaws Grocers ripped folks off for over the last 10 or 15 years while colluding with competitors to FIX said prices...ALL of who have a class action suit hanging over their heads Thumbs Down Confused
 pochui14/05/2018 16:25:06 GMT
now that's quite a shitty situation from players point of view and quite the contrary if we are somehow connected with the fcukin Amaya group and what it has left out of once a very decent poker room. makes you wonder is it worth putting in bigger money into this site, there might be a reason that you will not be able to withdraw it back, like because you made a deposit on Wednesday...
 CALICUL14/05/2018 16:53:42 GMT
I do not understand why this amaya group is just trying to make enemies. I have the impression they believe that they will solve something in this way. If they have more complaints, they will have to lose. This process must end quickly with the player victory. Amaya group make that money in one day probably.
 ligador3715/05/2018 00:04:57 GMT
Posted by CALICUL:
I do not understand why this amaya group is just trying to make enemies. I have the impression they believe that they will solve something in this way. If they have more complaints, they will have to lose. This process must end quickly with the player victory. Amaya group make that money in one day probably.

I think they bill that in less than a day, they're crumbs for them.
Surely end in some kind of extrajudicial agreement, should pay perhaps more than the prize due, for the damages caused. Although the decision taken in this regard can be a good precedent for others who are in a similar situation. I will always be in favor of the players. If he was able to play the tournament, and he won, then they will pay him.
 pajalnick15/05/2018 06:37:03 GMT
it seems to me that this is just a terrible strategy of behavior from PokerStars .... they have completely spoiled their reputation for this behavior .... now very many players will think that PokerStars uses all the most ridiculous opportunities not to pay prizes .... and if from them will leave many players, then they are to blame for this themselves
 ligador3716/05/2018 00:44:20 GMT
It will depend a lot on what the justice decides, or if it is resolved beforehand (in this case it would be an extrajudicial agreement benefiting the plaintiff). Now if a judge solves it, it will be a precedent, both for or against PS.
It is true that the big players are emigrating to other poker rooms, but at the time of the big tournaments, PS is still the best in them, if I'm not mistaken. At least with the most attractive prizes
 CALICUL16/05/2018 16:56:06 GMT
There are more cases where players have won the process with pokerstars and amaya fcukin group, and this player can win. Here is a lot of money and you can not play with the nerves of a man in this way. Pokerstars could only send a warning and the player knew what to do in future.
 Mober17/05/2018 20:54:12 GMT
I dont think there is a single site that allows players to use VPN.
And yet there are too many using one.
Even some BRM members, from what i have read in some other posts.
It is a risk that has its dangers.
Still no news on the story
 godoy23/05/2018 23:43:11 GMT
I think it's an absurd and a lack of respect with the poker player that whenever he wins a substantial prize always comes this matter of absurd security because to pay and dificio more to deposit and easy

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