GGPoker Faces Massive Backlash, Boycotts, and Uninstalls in China Over Controversial Penalties

Earthquake-Level Punishments Stemming from a Final Table Incident

October 14, 2025 – The final table of GGPoker’s GGMillion$, a high-stakes event with a $10,300 buy-in and a top prize of $346,903, took a dramatic turn that would thrust two names into poker’s spotlight for controversy: Chinese player “RealOA” and globally renowned Chinese poker pro Tony “Ren” Lin. On October 18, 2025, player “BuzzCut” (via X handle @yl333i) released screenshots and chat logs alleging that “RealOA” had received real-time hand strategy guidance via Tencent Meeting during the final table. The source of this guidance, according to the evidence, was Tony Lin – who was taking a break from competing in the WSOP Cyprus event at the time. In the exposed content, Lin admitted to offering “a few suggestions” during a 10-minute tournament break, adding that he “always responds positively to inquiries from fellow players”. This statement would later become a focal point of debate.

Source: X post

By October 22, GGPoker issued an official ruling that set a new bar for severity in recent online tournament discipline: “RealOA” had his championship title revoked, his account permanently banned, and $250,523 in funds seized. Lin was handed an indefinite suspension, volunteered to personally cover the remaining $96,380 of the redistributed prize pool, and both players were barred from GGPoker’s platform and all WSOP live events.

Source: Official Statement: GGPoker’s Response to GGMillion$ Tournament Integrity Breach

Unbalanced Discipline: A Double Standard in Enforcement

A closer look at GGPoker’s disciplinary history reveals a stark contrast to the penalties handed down to “Real OA” and Lin—raising questions about fairness. In 2020, the platform banned 40 players for using Real-Time Assistance (RTA) tools, a violation widely viewed as more egregious than casual strategy advice. Yet only 13 of those players had funds confiscated, totaling 1.2million(an average of less than 100,000 per player), and no permanent bans were imposed.

Source: GGPoker bans 40 players for using RTAs

The inconsistency extends to cases involving players with privileged platform status. In December 2023, GGPoker took action against a “superuser” account named “MoneyTaker69” – a player with access to exclusive promotions, higher withdrawal limits, and direct support channels – after an investigation confirmed the account had engaged in “sustained multi-accounting” (operating multiple profiles to gain an unfair advantage) and “collusion with fellow players” in high-stakes cash games. Multi-accounting and collusion are universally regarded as among the most serious violations in online poker, as they directly undermine the integrity of cash game ecosystems by distorting odds and exploiting legitimate players. However, GGPoker’s response to “MoneyTaker69” was notably lenient: the account was banned, but only 85,000 of estimated 230,000 in illicit winnings was seized, and the player’s other associated accounts (used to launder funds) were not pursued for additional asset recovery. Unlike “Real OA” and Lin, “MoneyTaker69” faced no ban from offline WSOP events, and GGPoker did not issue a high-profile press release about the case – instead burying the ruling in a small update on its “Player Safety” page.

Source: GGPoker Bans Superuser “Moneytaker69” After Client Vulnerability Exposed

The case of German player Tobias “dudd1” Duthweiler adds further fuel to claims of inconsistency. Duthweiler was initially and continued competing for 18 months, earning $180,000 before being banned for “targeting recreational players” but reactivated his account under a different platform ” In the end, only $130,000 was seized, and his original deposits were returned. For Chinese players, however, a single non-tool-related violation triggered “zero tolerance”.

Source: Why did GGPoker confiscate $180k from Tobias “dudd1” Duthweiler?

“A violation is a violation, but penalties should match the offense”, a veteran poker industry insider noted. “On GGPoker, nearly all South American players compete in studio-style setups – multiple players advising a single account from start to finish – with no consequences. Eastern European players use AI bots extensively, yet there’s barely any public record of disciplinary action. But when it comes to Chinese players, GGPoker not only broke its own principles with these penalties but also promoted the ruling globally with demeaning images. It’s outrageous.”

Selective Enforcement: From Gender Controversies to Retaliatory Penalties Against Advocates

In 2021, Vanessa Kade publicly criticized GGPoker for its partnership with misogynistic player Dan Bilzerian. The platform responded by unilaterally terminating Kade’s affiliate account (cutting off her income) while maintaining its relationship with Bilzerian.

Source: GGPoker go after Vanessa Kade over Bilzerian criticism

In 2022, GGPoker faced backlash when its “Women’s Championship” allowed male brand ambassadors to compete; despite protests from female players, no meaningful reforms were implemented. The recent “swift and severe” penalties against Chinese players are merely a continuation of this “selective enforcement.”

Source: Exploring the GGPoker FLIP Women’s Championship tempest

Tony Lin, a prominent advocate for Chinese poker players facing unfair treatment, had made headlines just one day prior to the GGMillion incident. At WSOP Cyprus, he publicly challenged the tournament director over a discriminatory wrongful accusation of “collusion” against Chinese players – successfully correcting the injustice and sparking international attention. That Lin became the target of such harsh discipline in the GGMillion case has led many to suspect retaliatory motives behind the penalty.

Industry Intimidation: Hegemony Post-WSOP Acquisition

GGPoker’s hardline stance is closely tied to its expanded influence following its 2024 acquisition of the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Since the $500 million deal, the platform has quickly leveraged industry resources to penalize players who violate its rules.

Source: Fedor Holz Says WSOP Bans Are Coming for Online Poker Cheaters

Industry analysts see strategic calculation in GGPoker’s choice to target Chinese players. “Chinese poker players have risen rapidly in international competitions, which likely worries GGPoker’s leadership”, one analyst explained. “At the same time, Chinese players lack the industry influence of their Western counterparts, making them the easiest targets to set an example.” This “picking on the vulnerable” tactic, critics argue, is designed to intimidate the broader player base and solidify GGPoker’s dominance. Signs of this hegemonic behavior emerged as early as November 2024, when GGPoker converted all high-stakes tables to an “invitation-only” model – prompting accusations of “orchestrated targeting of high-value recreational players.” The latest scandal, many believe, is a further attempt to exert control over the market through rule enforcement as a tool.

Fallout in China: Public Outcry and Boycott Discussions

While GGPoker’s ruling has divided the global poker community, it has sparked a firestorm of outrage in China. Social media platforms there are flooded with discussions about the case, with a majority of users framing the penalties as “obviously anti-Chinese.” Many have pointed to the platform’s history of inconsistent discipline and Korean ownership as evidence of systemic bias, arguing that Chinese players are being held to a higher standard than others.
This sentiment has quickly translated into calls for action. Online forums and poker community groups in China are now debating coordinated boycotts of GGPoker and its affiliated platforms – including popular skins like Natural8 and Best Poker. There is also growing momentum behind a push to avoid WSOP events, with some users urging fellow players to “vote with their wallets” and support alternative tournaments that prioritize fair treatment regardless of nationality. For now, the discussions remain grassroots, but the anger is palpable. “Poker is supposed to be a game of skill and fairness”, one Chinese poker fan wrote on WeChat. “If a platform treats players differently because of where they’re from, it doesn’t deserve our support.” As the debate intensifies, all eyes are on whether this public outcry will lead to sustained action – and whether GGPoker will address the allegations of bias.

Prepared by PokerTalk

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