Ren Lin Returns to WSOP After GGPoker GGMillion$ Ban

The poker world has had a wild end to 2025, and as we head into 2026, the conversation is all about one thing: Game Integrity. Between Ren Lin ‘s high-stakes cheating scandals and a shocking “comeback,” the community has plenty to talk about. At the center of the storm is the high-stakes pro and GGPoker’s flagship tournament, the GGMillion$.

The GGMillion$ Breach: What Happened?

Back in October 2025, the poker world was stunned when GGPoker released an official statement regarding a massive rules breach during a $10,300 GGMillion$ final table. An investigation revealed that a player named “RealOA” was receiving unauthorized real-time coaching from none other than Ren Lin. While “RealOA” was permanently banned, Ren Lin—a popular figure in the community—received an “indefinite suspension” from GGPoker, the WSOP, and all partner platforms.

To show he was truly sorry, Lin even opened his own wallet to help GGPoker repay the affected players, contributing $96,380 of his own money to cover the restitution shortfall.

-Started Ren Lin in his apology letter on X (formerly Twitter) to express his deep remorse, stating he was “ashamed” and ready to accept all penalties.

Seven Weeks Later: The Surprise Return

The word “indefinite” usually means a long time in the poker world. However, for Ren Lin, it turned out to be exactly 49 days. Despite the global ban, Lin made a shocking appearance at WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas this past December. Not only was he allowed to play, but he even recorded two cashes!

This quick return has sparked a massive debate online:

• Is a seven-week ban enough for a real-time assistance (RTA) violation?
• Does paying a “fine” out of pocket make the suspension shorter?

While the WSOP declined to comment on his return, many players are wondering if the “Olive Branch” policy—GGPoker’s initiative to let banned players apply for a second chance—is moving a bit too fast.

GGPoker Doubles Down on Security

It wasn’t just the Ren Lin incident. Just weeks later, GGPoker caught another major violation in the GGMillion$. The account “Hinaru” entered the final table as the chip leader, only to be “blinded out” in front of thousands of viewers. The reason? Ghosting. GGPoker’s security team realized the account was being played by someone else. They didn’t wait for the tournament to end; they blocked the account immediately to protect the other players.

The Bottom Line for 2026

GGPoker and the WSOP are sending a clear message: They are watching. Whether it’s RTA, ghosting, or account sharing, the detection systems are getting smarter. However, the Ren Lin situation shows that “forgiveness” might be closer than we think for those who admit their mistakes and pay back the community. One thing is for sure—the eyes of the poker world will be on the next GGMillion$ final table!